What is the Home-Sharing Program?

What is the Home-Sharing Program?

In December 2018, the City Council adopted the Home-Sharing Ordinance (CF 14-1635-S2), establishing a regulatory framework to restrict short-term rentals to one's primary residence, in order to prevent the wholesale conversation of homes into rental properties. The Home-Sharing Program requires hosts wishing who wish to engage in short-term rentals to register with the City and post their registration number on all advertisements. Hosts are also required to must adhere to all requirements and must use the online portal to register.

 

Registering for the Home-Sharing Program

To register for home-sharing, hosts will need to complete an application, which can be done entirely online. The application can be accessed here, or from the Home-Sharing page on City Planning’s website by clicking on the “Development Services” tab and looking for the Home-Sharing link under “Quick Links.” The City has been accepting applications for home-sharing since July 1, 2019, and enforcement of the Home-Sharing Ordinance (Ordinance No. 185931) began on November 1, 2019. The steps for registering, eligibility requirements for home-sharing, and other important information are further explained below.

5 Key Steps to Participate in the Home-Sharing Program

  1. Verify eligibility criteria

  2. For renters and lessees, obtain a notarized affidavit signed by the property owner/landlord authorizing the Host's participation in Home-Sharing

  3. Gather relevant documents to demonstrate primary residency

  4. Complete online registration

  5. Post Home-Sharing Registration Number on all listings

 

Eligibility Requirements

There are two types of home-sharing registrations are available to qualifying hosts. Standard Home-Sharing (allows up to 120 days per year) and Extended Home-Sharing (allows more than 120 days per year). Eligibility serves as a basis for both types of registrations which are the following: 

  1. The apartment or home is his or her primary residence

  2. The residence must not be subject to the City's Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO)

  3. Home-Sharing will only occur in structure built for residential use

  4. The primary residence or property cannot have any pending citations, order, ticket, or similar notice of violation

  5. Anyone renting will have to obtain written approval from their landlord

  6. Hosts will need to register to pay the Transient Occupancy Tax

  7. Hosts must be in possession of a valid Home-Sharing registration number and post that number in all listings. 

 

In order to apply, you must make sure you have the following documents on-hand:

  1. A valid federal or state-issued photo ID

  2. Two documentations of the primary residence

  3. Landlord approval: If the host is a renter or lessee, a signed and notarized Affidavit (available here) that approves the host's participation in home-sharing for that unit.

 

In addition, there are several rules and responsibilities that hosts must adhere to hosting requirements:

  1. Hosts must only post listings on hosting platforms that are specified in the home-sharing application

  2. Hosts must not book more than one set of guests at a given time

  3. Hosts must not engage in any commercial uses for purposes of a party or an event

  4. Hosts must ensure that basic health and safety features are provided, including fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors

  5. Hosts must not permit late night outdoor parties

  6. Hosts must adhere to occupancy limits, which allow for a maximum of two persons (excluding children) per habitable room

     7.Hosts must provide a Code of Conduct (available here) to all guests

 

For additional information, please contact:

Home-Sharing Unit

Department of City Planning - Development Services Center

201 N. Figueroa Street, 5th Floor

  Los Angeles, CA 90012

(213) 202-5464

24/7 Complaint Hotline: (213) 267-7788

planning.home-sharing@lacity.org