Overview: STR Status in Westwood, CA

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Westwood, CA, but only under strict regulatory conditions. Westwood is explicitly listed as one of the neighborhoods within the City of Los Angeles that follows the City of Los Angeles Home-Sharing Ordinance. Unlike unincorporated areas or other jurisdictions, Westwood operates under the full City of Los Angeles regulatory framework, which requires registration, imposes annual caps, and mandates primary residence compliance.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Westwood

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

• Primary Residence Requirement: Your property must be your primary residence, defined as where you reside for more than 6 months per calendar year
• Property Type Verification: Confirm your address falls within City of Los Angeles boundaries using ZIMAS
• Exclusion Check: Properties subject to Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), affordable housing covenants, or income restrictions are ineligible

Step 2: Registration Process

1. Obtain Home-Sharing Permit: Apply through the Los Angeles Planning Department online portal
2. Provide Required Documentation: Submit identification and proof of primary residence
3. Pay Registration Fee: Currently proposed at $89 per year
4. Receive Registration Number: Required for all advertising platforms

Step 3: Ongoing Compliance

• Annual Renewal: Registration must be renewed yearly with updated documentation
• Guest Limitations: Maximum 2 persons per habitable room (excluding children)
• Operating Hours: No amplified music after 10 PM
• Capacity Limits: No gatherings over 8 people (excluding children)

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Home-Sharing Registration Requirements

1. Photo Identification: Valid federal or state-issued ID (driver's license, state ID, passport)
2. Primary Residence Documentation (2 required unless ID address matches listing):
   • Current valid California voter's registration card or status
   • Current valid California vehicle registration
   • Recent health insurance bill
   • Recent vehicle insurance bill
   • Paycheck or pay stub from last 6 months
   • Current property tax bill with homeowner's exemption
   • Current rental/lease agreement with property manager/landlord contact information

Additional Requirements for Renters

• Landlord Authorization Affidavit: Must be notarized and include names, addresses, phone numbers, and emails for both tenant and property owner/landlord
• Building Opt-Out Check: Landlords may proactively opt buildings out of home-sharing

Tax Requirements

• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): 14% on listing price including cleaning fees for stays ≤30 nights
• Registration: Complete Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate with Office of Finance
• Monthly Returns: File monthly TOT returns to Office of Finance

Safety Requirements

• Fire Safety Equipment: Provide and maintain fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors
• Emergency Information: Post emergency exit routes and emergency contact information
• Smoking Restrictions: Post no-smoking notices on patios/decks in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones

Specific Regulations

City of Los Angeles Home-Sharing Ordinance

Primary Provisions:

• Annual Cap: Maximum 120 days of STR activity per calendar year
• Extended Home-Sharing: Possible up to 240 days through administrative or discretionary approval
• Single Property Limit: Maximum one STR registration per host in Los Angeles
• No Concurrent Bookings: Cannot rent to multiple guest sets simultaneously
• Advertising Requirements: Must include registration number in all advertisements

Prohibited Activities:

• Home-sharing in Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) units
• Subletting without proper authorization
• Exceeding annual day limits without proper permits
• Hosting in non-residential areas of property (vehicles, storage sheds, trailers, tents)

Los Angeles County Regulations

Transient Occupancy Tax for Unincorporated Areas:

• County TOT applies to unincorporated areas within Los Angeles County
• Definition: Transient use = guest stays of 30 days or less
• Note: Airbnb does not collect County TOT; hosts must remit directly

State of California Requirements

General Requirements:

• Business license and tax registration at state level
• Compliance with California Health and Safety Code
• Adherence to local zoning and building codes
• Fair housing law compliance
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) considerations

Enforcement and Penalties

Verified Citations and Penalties

• First Violation: Extended home-sharing privilege revoked; return to 120-day limit
• Two Violations: Registration revoked; prohibited from participating for one year
• Loud and Unruly Gathering: 30-day suspension from home-sharing
• Operating Without Registration: $1,000 per day fine

Platform Penalties

• Illegal Booking: $1,000 per day for hosting illegal listings
• Information Refusal: $1,000 per day for refusing address information
• Document Refusal: $1,000 per day for refusing monthly reporting documents

Contact Information for Local Authorities

Los Angeles City Planning Department

• Email: planning.home-sharing@lacity.org
• Phone: (213) 202-5464
• Website: planning.lacity.gov

Technical Support

• Email: support+los-angeles-ca@hostcompliance.com
• Registration Portal: secure.hostcompliance.com/los-angeles-ca/permit-registration/welcome

Los Angeles Office of Finance

• Website: finance.lacity.org
• TOT Requirements: Visit their website for current TOT filing procedures

Housing + Community Investment Department (HCIDLA)

• Phone: (866) 557-7368
• Purpose: RSO verification and affordable housing covenant questions

Los Angeles County Treasurer-Tax Collector

• Website: ttc.lacounty.gov/tot
• Purpose: County TOT information for unincorporated areas

Source Links

1. Airbnb Los Angeles Host Registration Guide
2. Los Angeles Home-Sharing Registration Portal
3. Los Angeles Planning Department - Home-Sharing
4. Los Angeles Home-Sharing FAQ
5. ZIMAS - Property Information System
6. Los Angeles Office of Finance - TOT Requirements
7. Los Angeles County TOT Information
8. Landlord Authorization Affidavit
9. California Voter Registration Check
10. LADBS ADU Information

Investment Considerations for Westwood Market

Market Dynamics

• Westwood represents a premium Westside neighborhood with high tourist and business traveler demand
• Proximity to UCLA creates opportunities for academic conference and visiting scholar accommodation
• Westwood Village and nearby Century City business district provide additional demand drivers

Regulatory Compliance Costs

• Initial registration: ~$89 annually
• Extended home-sharing application: $1,149 administrative or $5,660 discretionary
• Per-night fee: $5 (estimated)
• TOT: 14% of gross rental income

Risk Factors

• Strict primary residence requirement limits investment property opportunities
• Annual cap of 120 days (240 days with extended permit) restricts revenue potential
• High enforcement activity in Los Angeles creates compliance risks
• Neighbor complaints can result in citations and permit revocation

This comprehensive regulatory framework requires careful attention to compliance and may limit traditional investment property models, but provides legal pathways for primary residence owners to generate supplemental income through short-term rentals.