Overview of STR Allowance

Short-term rentals are allowed in Venice, CA, but they are strictly regulated under both City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County ordinances. Venice falls under the jurisdiction of both the City of Los Angeles (for incorporated areas) and Los Angeles County (for unincorporated areas), each with specific registration requirements and operational restrictions.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Venice

Determine Jurisdiction

First, determine whether your property is in the incorporated City of Los Angeles or unincorporated Los Angeles County areas by using the ZIMAS address lookup tool or the Los Angeles County District Locator.

Key Steps for City of Los Angeles Properties:

1. Verify Eligibility: Ensure your property is your primary residence where you live more than 6 months per year
2. Obtain Home-Sharing Permit: Register through the City's online portal
3. Add Permit to Listings: Include your permit number on all hosting platforms
4. Comply with Operating Restrictions: Adhere to the 120-day annual limit and occupancy requirements

Key Steps for Los Angeles County Properties:

1. Verify Primary Residence Status: Must reside on property minimum 275 days per year
2. Complete STR Registration: Submit application with required documentation
3. Pay Annual Fee: $914 registration fee
4. Maintain Compliance: Follow operational restrictions and safety requirements

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

City of Los Angeles Requirements:

• Home-Sharing Permit from Department of Planning
• Photo Identification: Valid federal or state-issued photo ID
• Primary Residence Documentation: Two of the following (or one if ID address matches property):
  • California voter registration
  • California vehicle registration
  • Recent health insurance bill
  • Recent vehicle insurance bill
  • Recent pay stub (within 6 months)
  • Property tax bill with homeowner's exemption
  • Current rental/lease agreement with landlord contact information

Los Angeles County Requirements:

• STR Registration Certificate
• Annual Registration Fee: $914
• Primary Residence Documentation: Utility bills, driver's license, tax documents, voter registration, and/or lease agreement
• Property Owner Authorization: Notarized written consent if you're a renter/tenant

Additional Requirements for Both Jurisdictions:

• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration
• Business License (if applicable)
• Safety Equipment Certification: Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Los Angeles Regulations:

• Primary Residence Only: Property must be host's primary residence (6+ months/year)
• 120-Day Annual Limit: Maximum 120 nights of short-term rentals per calendar year
• Single Registration: Only one property can be registered per host
• Occupancy Limits: Maximum 2 persons per bedroom plus 2, with absolute maximum of 12 guests
• Parking Requirements: Must provide on-site parking if available
• Safety Requirements: Working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers
• Good Neighbor Policy: Must provide contact information and address complaints

Los Angeles County Regulations (for Unincorporated Areas):

• Primary Residence Requirement: Host must reside on property minimum 275 days per calendar year
• Hosted vs. Un-Hosted Stays:
  • Hosted Stays: Host present on property, minimum 1-night booking
  • Un-Hosted Stays: Host not present, maximum 90 nights per year, minimum 2-night booking
• Occupancy Limits: Maximum 2 persons per bedroom plus 2, with absolute maximum of 12 guests
• Fire Safety: Enhanced requirements in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones
• Parking: On-site parking must be available to guests if applicable

Prohibited Uses:

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Prohibited for STR use (with limited exceptions for pre-2017 units in LA City)
• Vacation Rentals: Non-primary residences cannot be used for STR
• Multiple Properties: Cannot register more than one property
• Rent-Stabilized Units: Properties subject to rent control generally prohibited
• Event Hosting: No parties, events, or commercial gatherings

Tax Obligations

City of Los Angeles:

• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): 14% on rental price (including cleaning fees)
• Collection Method: Airbnb and other platforms collect and remit automatically
• Monthly Returns: Hosts must still file monthly returns with Office of Finance
• Deduction: Take deduction for taxes collected by platforms

Los Angeles County:

• Transient Occupancy Tax: 12% for stays of 30 days or less
• Host Responsibility: Hosts must collect and remit tax directly
• Registration Required: Must register with LA County Treasurer and Tax Collector

Enforcement and Penalties

City of Los Angeles:

• Fines: Up to $2,000 per violation
• Permit Suspension/Revocation: For repeat violations
• Complaint System: 24-hour complaint hotline and online reporting

Los Angeles County:

• Administrative Fines: Up to $2,000 per violation per day
• Registration Suspension: Up to 30 days for immediate threats
• Nuisance Abatement: Liens and special assessments for problematic properties
• Complaint Hotline: (213) 371-1070
• Online Complaints: STR Complaint Portal

Contact Information

City of Los Angeles Department of Planning

• Website: planning.lacity.gov/project-review/home-sharing
• Phone: (213) 202-5464
• Email: planning.home-sharing@lacity.org
• Registration Portal: secure.hostcompliance.com/los-angeles-ca/permit-registration/welcome

Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector

• Website: ttc.lacounty.gov/str/
• Phone: (213) 974-2011
• Email: STRental@ttc.lacounty.gov
• Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PT

Technical Support (City Registration):

• Email: support+los-angeles-ca@hostcompliance.com

Links to Source Pages

• Venice STR Regulations Overview: www.strprofitmap.com/regulations/CA/venice
• Los Angeles County STR Program: ttc.lacounty.gov/str/
• City of Los Angeles Home-Sharing Program: planning.lacity.gov/project-review/home-sharing
• Airbnb Los Angeles Requirements: www.airbnb.ca/help/article/864

Important Notes for Investors

1. Jurisdiction Verification: Always verify whether your property falls under City of Los Angeles or Los Angeles County jurisdiction before beginning the registration process.

2. Primary Residence Requirement: Both jurisdictions strictly limit STR to primary residences only, making this unsuitable for traditional vacation rental investment models.

3. Operating Limitations: The 120-day limit (City) and 90-day un-hosted limit (County) significantly restrict revenue potential compared to year-round operations.

4. Compliance Monitoring: Both jurisdictions actively monitor platforms and enforce regulations through third-party vendors and complaint systems.

5. ADU Restrictions: Most ADUs are prohibited from STR use, with very limited exceptions for pre-2017 units in the City.

6. Future Changes: Regulations continue to evolve, particularly regarding coastal areas in the County, which may have additional restrictions pending California Coastal Commission approval.

Always consult with local authorities and legal professionals before starting any short-term rental operation in Venice, CA, as regulations are subject to change and enforcement is active.