Can I lease an apartment in Los Angeles and rent it on Airbnb?

Not as a separate unit. Home-sharing is only allowed in the host's own primary residence, and a tenant needs the landlord's notarized approval.

How many nights a year can I host in Los Angeles?

Up to 120 nights a year with a standard registration. Hosts with a clean record and enough hosting history can apply for Extended Home-Sharing to go beyond that.

Can I use a rent-stabilized apartment?

No. Units under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) can't be used for home-sharing.

What does registration cost?

$89 plus a processing fee, according to the city's administrative guidelines. Hosts also register for the 14% transient occupancy tax.

Did the June 2026 hotel tax measure change the rate?

No. Measure TT, which would have raised the rate to 16%, did not pass, so the city rate stays at 14%.

Is Rental Arbitrage Legal in Los Angeles, CA?

Restricted

Only in your own home. Los Angeles allows home-sharing only in the host's primary residence, where they live more than six months a year, for up to 120 nights a year unless they qualify for extended home-sharing. A tenant needs a notarized affidavit from the landlord, and rent-stabilized units can't be used.

Can a renter do rental arbitrage here? Only your own home. Short-term rentals are licensed only in the host's own primary residence, so leasing a separate unit to rent out is not possible.

Researched by RentalArbitrage AdminReviewed by RentalArbitrage AdminLast verified: October 2026

Requirements

Home-Sharing registration from Los Angeles City Planning ($89 plus a processing fee, per the city's guidelines)
The unit must be the host's primary residence: they live there more than six months a year
Tenants need an affidavit signed by the host and the landlord approving home-sharing
Registration number on every listing
Transient Occupancy Tax registration with the Office of Finance
Fire extinguisher, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms

Restrictions

Up to 120 nights a year, unless approved for Extended Home-Sharing
One registration and one listed unit per host
Units under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) can't be used
One booking at a time, and at most two guests per habitable room, not counting children
Daily fines from September 1, 2024 are $605.73 for hosts advertising in violation and $2,422.89 for exceeding 120 days without Extended registration, and $1,211.33 for hosting platforms; the city adjusts them each year for inflation
These are City of Los Angeles rules. Unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County follow a separate county ordinance, which requires a county business license, allows only a primary residence, and sets 90 nights a year with no host present, so check which jurisdiction a property is in

Taxes and Fees

City transient occupancy tax: 14%

Official permit or registration page

Next Step

Legal is one half of the decision. The other half is whether the deal earns enough to be worth the risk.

Run the numbers for Los Angeles, CA See the Los Angeles, CA market

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Lease an Apartment in Los Angeles and Rent It on Airbnb?: Not as a separate unit. Home-sharing is only allowed in the host's own primary residence, and a tenant needs the landlord's notarized approval.
How Many Nights a Year Can I Host in Los Angeles?: Up to 120 nights a year with a standard registration. Hosts with a clean record and enough hosting history can apply for Extended Home-Sharing to go beyond that.
Can I Use a Rent-Stabilized Apartment?: No. Units under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) can't be used for home-sharing.
What Does Registration Cost?: $89 plus a processing fee, according to the city's administrative guidelines. Hosts also register for the 14% transient occupancy tax.
Did the June 2026 Hotel Tax Measure Change the Rate?: No. Measure TT, which would have raised the rate to 16%, did not pass, so the city rate stays at 14%.