(All rules apply to the City of Los Angeles, which encompasses the Winnetka neighborhood. When a rule is city‑wide it is presented as the “local authority” for Winnetka.)

I. Overview – Are Short‑Term Rentals Permitted in Winnetka?

Answer: Yes, but only under the City of Los Angeles Home‑Sharing Ordinance (HSO).

• Legal STRs are limited to “home‑sharing” – a short‑term rental of a primary residence for less than 30 days.
• Cap: 120 days per calendar year of STR activity.
• Extended home‑sharing may be approved up to 240 days per year (administrative clearance or discretionary permit).
• All hosts must register with the City, pay the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), and display a registration number on every listing.
• Prohibited units:
  • Rent‑Stabilized Ordinance (RSO) units,
  • Units in Very‑High‑Fire‑Hazard Severity Zones (with additional smoking‑ban posting),
  • Any portion of a property not approved for residential habitation (e.g., garages, storage sheds, tents).

Bottom line for investors: Winnetka properties can be operated as STRs only as a home‑sharing business that complies with the HSO. No stand‑alone “vacation‑rental” operation is allowed unless it meets the strict Home‑Sharing rules or obtains a Conditional‑Use Permit (CUP) for a Transient‑Occupancy Residential Structure (TORS) or historic Bed‑&‑Breakfast (B&B).

II. How to Launch a Short‑Term Rental Business in Winnetka

| Step | Action | Key Details | |------|--------|-------------| | 1. Verify Eligibility | • Confirm the property is the host’s primary residence (≥ 6 months of the year). <br>• Confirm it is not an RSO unit, not in a Very‑High‑Fire‑Hazard zone, and not a non‑residential space. | Use two forms of proof (e.g., driver’s license + utility bill). | | 2. Register for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) | • Complete a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate with the Office of Finance. <br>• If you list exclusively on a platform with a Platform‑Agreement, you may bypass individual TOT registration (the platform remits the tax). | • Online portal: <finance.lacity.gov/services/Transient-Occupancy-Tax>. | | 3. Obtain Home‑Sharing Registration | • Apply through the online Home‑Sharing portal (City Planning). <br>• Pay the annual registration fee (currently $89). <br>• Upload primary‑residence proof and sign a penalty‑of‑perjury affidavit. | • Registration is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually. | | 4. Determine Need for Extended Home‑Sharing | If you plan > 120 days/year: <br>• Administrative Clearance – eligible if no verified nuisance citations in the prior 3 years, host has ≥ 6 months/≥ 60 days of operation, and adjacent owners are notified. <br>• Discretionary Permit – required if a verified citation exists or you cannot meet the administrative criteria. | • Filing fee for administrative clearance: $1,149 (plus notice costs). <br>• Discretionary permit fee: ≈ $5,660. | | 5. Install Safety & Compliance Equipment | • Provide fire extinguisher, smoke detectors, carbon‑monoxide detectors; post emergency exit routes and contact information. <br>• For Very‑High‑Fire‑Hazard zones, post no‑smoking on patios/decks per LAMC § 57.25.14. | • Safety checks can be self‑certified; keep documentation for inspection. | | 6. Draft & Distribute a Guest Code of Conduct | • Include core HSO rules (e.g., max 2 guests per habitable room, no amplified music after 22:00, no large gatherings > 8 people). <br>• Provide the code to every guest (digital or printed). | Required by HSO § (e)(5). | | 7. List the Property on a Platform | • Platforms must display the registration number on all listings. <br>• If the platform has a Platform‑Agreement with the City, it will collect TOT on your behalf. | • Platforms can be fined $1,000/day for booking unregistered listings. | | 8. Maintain Ongoing Compliance | • Track nights rented and remit per‑night fee (currently $5/night). <br>• Keep records of all stays for 3 years (Office of Finance may audit). <br>• Respond to verified citations promptly to avoid revocation. | • Violations: 1 citation → suspension of extended‑home‑sharing; 2 citations → 1‑year ban. | | 9. Renew Annually | • Submit renewal application, pay renewal fee, and upload updated residency proof or documentation of any changes. | • Renewal deadline: 30 days before registration expiration. |

III. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses & Guidelines

| Document / Requirement | Purpose | Where to Obtain / Verify | |------------------------|---------|--------------------------| | Proof of Primary Residence (≥ 2 documents) | Demonstrates the host’s primary‑residence status | Driver’s license, voter registration, utility bills, tax returns, bank statements. | | Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate | Enables collection & remittance of TOT | <finance.lacity.gov/services/Transient-Occupancy-Tax> (or via Platform‑Agreement). | | Home‑Sharing Registration Number (displayed on every ad) | Legal authorization to operate STR | Online Home‑Sharing portal – <planning.lacity.gov/our-work/land-use/housing/home-sharing> | | Affidavit of Compliance (signed under penalty of perjury) | Confirms host will follow all HSO provisions | Included in the online portal. | | Landlord/Owner Consent (if renting) | Shows landlord approves sub‑letting for STR | Written approval letter or lease addendum. | | Safety Equipment List | Fire extinguisher, smoke & CO detectors, posted escape routes | Self