Valley Village is a neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles and falls under the City’s Home‑Sharing Ordinance. The Los Angeles regulations summarized here are the operative rules for short‑term rentals (for fewer than 30 days) in Valley Village. Where the City has no separate rules for Valley Village, state‑level (California) rules that apply to all STR operators also apply.

Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed?

Yes—Los Angeles permits short‑term rentals through its Home‑Sharing Ordinance (HSO), but only as “home‑sharing,” which is defined as renting one’s primary residence (or a room within it) on a short‑term basis (fewer than 30 days). Entire‑home listings are allowed if the host’s primary residence is the property. The HSO:

• Caps standard home‑sharing at 120 days per calendar year.
• Allows extended home‑sharing up to 240 days per year through an administrative or discretionary approval process (with conditions).
• Requires registration with the City, proof of primary residency, Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) compliance, and adherence to neighborhood‑compatibility rules.
• Prohibits home‑sharing in units subject to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) and in non‑residential spaces (garages, storage sheds, tents, etc.).
• Provides a strong enforcement framework, including a per‑night fee, 24/7 complaint hotline, and penalties for violations and non‑compliant advertising.

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Valley Village

1. Determine Eligibility

• Use: Home‑sharing (primary residence only).
• Zoning: Permitted as an accessory use in all residential zones; not permitted in RSO units.
• Listing Type: Entire home, private room, or shared room are allowed; only one property per host in Los Angeles.

2. Prepare Required Documents

• Government‑issued photo ID (driver’s license/ID).
• Two documents demonstrating primary residency at the property (examples per administrative guidelines: utility bills, tax returns, bank records, voter registration, vehicle registration).
• Signed affidavit under penalty of perjury confirming compliance with the HSO and community standards.
• If renting: written approval from the landlord (if subletting or tenant‑hosted).
• Optional: proof of fire safety equipment and emergency information if requested during registration/inspection.

3. Register with the City and Pay Taxes

• Complete the City’s online Home‑Sharing registration.
• Pay the proposed annual host registration fee (staff recommendation: $89).
• Comply with TOT: either (a) obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate and collect/remit TOT directly, or (b) list only on hosting platforms that have executed a “platform agreement” with the City (platform collects/remits TOT on your behalf).

4. Collect the Per‑Night Fee

• The HSO establishes a per‑night fee to fund enforcement. The staff proposal estimates $5 per booked night. The City Council will set the final amount; it should be included in your nightly rate or cost structure.

5. Follow Operational Rules

• Max 120 days per year unless approved for extended home‑sharing (up to 240 days).
• Single booking at a time; no renting more than two adults (excluding children) per habitable room.
• Quiet hours: no amplified music after 10:00 p.m.; no amplified outdoor entertainment.
• No parties/events: weddings and evening outdoor gatherings of more than eight people (excluding children) are prohibited.
• Safety: Provide and maintain fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors; post emergency exit routes and emergency contact information.
• Fire hazard zones: If your property is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, post “no smoking” notices on decks/patios.

6. Advertising Rules

• Every ad must display your Home‑Sharing registration number.
• Platforms may only complete bookings for registered listings.
• Hosts cannot accept a second booking while guests are still in residence.

7. Annual Renewal and Record‑Keeping

• Registration is valid for one year; renew annually and document total nights booked and stays in the prior year. Keep records for three years; the City may inspect them.

8. Extended Home‑Sharing (optional; up to 240 days)

• Administrative Clearance: No verified nuisance citations in the prior three years; mail notices to adjacent/abutting owners/occupants; demonstrate compliance (≥6 months permit or ≥60 hosting days).
• Discretionary Permit: Required if nuisance violations exist. Follows Conditional Use Permit (CUP) procedures (21‑day noticing, director decision, appeal to Area Planning Commission). Conditions may be added to protect neighbors and housing supply.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• City Home‑Sharing Registration
  • Proof of primary residency (ID + at least one secondary document).
  • Signed affidavit of compliance.
  • Landlord approval (if applicable).
  • Annual registration fee (proposed $89).
• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Compliance
  • Option A: Obtain a TOT registration and collect/remit TOT yourself.
  • Option B: List exclusively with a platform under a platform agreement (platform remits TOT).
• Per‑Night Fee
  • Collected per booking; proposed at $5/night (final amount set by City).
• Extended Home‑Sharing Permits
  • Administrative Clearance filing fee: $1,149 (plus noticing costs).
  • Discretionary approval filing fee: ~$5,660 ( CUP‑like process).
• Advertising Compliance
  • Include registration number in all ads; only one active booking per unit at a time.

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

City of Los Angeles (applies to Valley Village)

• Eligibility & Zoning
  • Home‑sharing is an accessory use to the primary residence; only one property per host.
  • RSO units and non‑residential spaces are prohibited.
  • Former “by‑right” TORS conversions of existing residential buildings are disallowed; TORS now requires CUPs and new TORS are only approved via CUPs.
• Day Caps
  • Standard: 120 days per year.
  • Extended: up to 240 days with approval (administrative or discretionary).
• Taxes & Fees
  • TOT applies to all home‑sharing nights.
  • Annual registration fee (proposed $89).
  • Per‑night fee (proposed $5).
• Operational Requirements
  • Single booking rule; occupancy limit: no more than two adults per habitable room.
  • Quiet hours: no amplified music after 10:00 p.m.; no amplified outdoor entertainment.
  • No weddings or evening outdoor gatherings of >8 (excluding children).
  • Safety equipment and emergency information required.
  • “No smoking” posting in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
• Advertising & Platform Duties
  • Registration number required in ads.
  • Platforms must only complete bookings for registered listings and provide monthly reports (address, nights booked, amounts paid) to the City.
  • Platforms face $1,000/day fines for illegal bookings, refusal to provide addresses, or refusal to submit monthly TOT‑verification data.
  • Optional “platform agreements” streamline compliance and TOT collection for hosts listing only on participating platforms.
• Enforcement & Penalties
  • Verified citations: one revokes extended home‑sharing for the remainder of the registration period; two revoke any home‑sharing participation for one year.
  • Loud/unruly gatherings: 30‑day suspension for first violation; one or more verified citations disqualify administrative extended home‑sharing (discretionary review required).
  • Administrative Nuisance Abatement (LAMC 12.27.1): may result in conditions, suspension, or revocation for repeated nuisances.
  • The City intends to operate a 24/7 complaint hotline with real‑time host outreach and web‑based registration/renewal.
• Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) Units
  • Prohibited from home‑sharing to protect long‑term housing stock and reduce eviction risk.
• Notifications & Review
  • Extended home‑sharing administrative clearance requires mailed notice to adjacent/abutting owners/occupants.
  • Discretionary extended home‑sharing requires 21‑day noticing and findings to ensure compatibility and housing protection.

Los Angeles County

• No separate short‑term rental ordinance applies within the City of Los Angeles (including Valley Village). County‑level rules typically concern unincorporated areas and do not govern STRs within the City.

State of California (applies to all STR hosts)

• TOT Registration and Collection
  • Hosts must register and collect/remit transient occupancy taxes through the local jurisdiction (City of Los Angeles). Hosting platforms that enter into City agreements may collect and remit TOT for listed hosts.
• Host Responsibility
  • Hosts must comply with all applicable local rules (registration, caps, safety, nuisance restrictions) and are responsible for guest conduct and compliance with community standards.
• Enforcement Partnerships
  • Cities partner with hosting platforms for address data and compliance monitoring to enforce local ordinances. Platforms in Los Angeles are subject to reporting requirements and penalties for non‑compliance.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

City of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning

• Home‑Sharing (STR) Registration and Permits
  • Website: ladbs.org/ (go to “Short‑Term Rentals/Home‑Sharing” or “Home‑Sharing Registration”)
  • Hotline (proposed/operational details): 24/7 staffed short‑term rental complaint and information hotline (to be established)
• Office of Finance – TOT Registration/Reporting
  • Website: finance.lacity.gov/ (Transient Occupancy Tax)
• City Attorney (for nuisance abatement and code enforcement)
  • Website: cityattorney.lacity.gov/
• Planning Commission (for appeals on discretionary extended home‑sharing)
  • Website: planning.lacity.gov/ (City Planning Commission)

Note: Specific phone/email contacts for the City’s STR program are established during ordinance implementation and may change. Use the web portals above for current contact details and to start registration.

Source Pages (Key Documents)

• Los Angeles Home‑Sharing Ordinance Staff Report (CPC‑2016‑1243‑CA)
  • planning.lacity.gov/ordinances/docs/HomeSharing/StaffRept.pdf
• City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (DBS) – Short‑Term Rentals/Home‑Sharing Registration
  • ladbs.org/
• City of Los Angeles Office of Finance – Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)
  • finance.lacity.gov/
• City of Los Angeles City Attorney – Ordinances and Enforcement
  • cityattorney.lacity.gov/
• New York Times article cited in the staff report on STR impacts (for context)
  • www.nytimes.com/2018/05/03/nyregion/airbnb-rent-manhattan-brooklyn.html

Practical Summary for Investors

• Market Status: Home‑sharing is allowed in Valley Village under the City’s HSO, but with clear caps, eligibility checks, and compliance obligations.
• Feasible Strategy: Operate up to 120 days per year via standard registration; if needed, pursue extended home‑sharing approval (up to 240 days) with good compliance history and neighbor notification.
• Costs: $89 annual registration, $5/night enforcement fee (proposed), and TOT at City rates. Extended home‑sharing entails additional filing fees ($1,149 administrative; ~$5,660 discretionary).
• Risks: RSO prohibition, nuisance violations, and non‑compliant advertising can lead to fines, suspension, or bans. TORS conversions of existing residential buildings are no longer allowed.
• Operational Controls: Limit occupancy, enforce quiet hours, maintain safety equipment, and ensure single‑booking compliance to mitigate enforcement risk.