Home-Sharing | FAQ

What is the Home-Sharing Ordinance and why does the City of Los Angeles regulate Short-Term Rentals?

Los Angeles established the Home-Sharing Ordinance (HSO) as a regulatory framework allowing a form of Short-Term Rentals called Home-Sharing. The HSO became effective on July 1, 2019 and restricts eligibility to Angelenos’ primary residences in order to prevent the wholesale conversion of homes into guest accommodations.

The Los Angeles City Council enacted the Home-Sharing Ordinance to regulate and enforce short-term rental activity, adhere to zoning regulations, preserve the availability of long-term housing stock, and maintain the integrity of residential neighborhoods while allowing registered Home-Sharing rentals in the city.

The Home-Sharing Ordinance allows Hosts to engage in Home-Sharing, provided they meet all eligibility requirements, register online, and adhere to City requirements. In Los Angeles, Hosts may apply for two types of Home-Sharing registrations, Regular and Extended, using the online Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP).

If you live within the City of Los Angeles and plan to Home-Share your primary residence as a Short-Term Rental (30 consecutive days or less), you must apply for a Home-Sharing registration. 

What is a Short-Term Rental?

A Rental Unit, rented in whole or in part, to any person(s) for transient use of 30 consecutive days or less. Only Short-Term Rentals are subject to the provisions of the Home-Sharing Ordinance and must have a valid Home-Sharing Registration in order to conduct Home-Sharing. Rental Units within City-approved Hotels, motels, Transient Occupancy Residential Structures (TORS) and Bed and Breakfasts shall not be considered a Short-Term Rental.

Do I need a registration to rent my property for longer than 30 consecutive days?

Rentals for longer than 30 consecutive days are considered long-term rentals and are not subject to the Home-Sharing Ordinance. A Home-Sharing registration is not required for long-term rentals. Please contact the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) for any requirements regarding long-term rentals. 

How is primary residence defined?

A primary residence is where a person lives for more than six months of the calendar year and considers their legal permanent place of residence. A person may only have one primary residence.

If there are multiple dwelling units on a property, the primary residence is the unit the Host physically occupies.

For example:

• If a Host owns a duplex and lives in one of the dwelling units, their primary residence is the specific dwelling unit in which they live. The second dwelling unit is not the Host's primary residence, even if they own it.

How is primary residence verified?

Proof of primary residence must be provided at the time of registration.

For the purposes of the Home-Sharing program, a Host must live in the primary residence for more than six months of the calendar year which is established via the submission of primary residency documentation.

What is a Platform Agreement?

A signed, legally-binding agreement between a Home-Sharing Hosting Platform (Platform) and the City, which allows for alternative compliance with the Home-Sharing Ordinance.

What are the Administrative Guidelines?

The Administrative Guidelines, issued by the Los Angeles City Planning, provide instructions for complying with the Home-Sharing Ordinance (Ordinance No. 185,931). They outline eligibility requirements, application procedures, recordkeeping, and enforcement guidelines for hosts, property owners, and Hosting Platforms.

Compliance with these guidelines is mandatory. City Planning may update these guidelines periodically.

Please refer to the Ordinance for full details. 

What are the updates to the Administrative Guidelines and why were they updated?

The Administrative Guidelines were updated to enhance clarity and improve the implementation of the Home-Sharing Ordinance. The updates aim to provide clearer language, strengthen verification measures for primary residency, streamline the renewal process, and increase overall understanding of the Home-Sharing program requirements and expectations. For a list of key changes between the previous (2019) and the updated (2026) Administrative Guidelines, please refer to the Administrative Guidelines Update Comparison Chart.

How will my registration be impacted with the updates to the Administrative Guidelines?

Applications submitted on or after the effective date of the updated guidelines will be reviewed using the updated Home-Sharing Administrative Guidelines. Applications submitted before the effective date of the updated guidelines will be reviewed using the previous Administrative Guidelines.

Active registrations will not be impacted; however, applicants who wish to continue participating in Home-Sharing must comply with the updated Administrative Guidelines when submitting a new or renewal application on or after the effective date of the updated guidelines. 

What will Happen to the previous version of the Administrative Guidelines?

Prior to the effective date of the updated Administrative Guidelines, the previous version of the Administrative Guidelines will remain in full effect. All Home-Sharing applicants and existing Hosts prior to the effective date will be subject to the rules and procedures established by the previous guidelines up to the effective date.

On and after the effective date of the updated guidelines, the previous version of the guidelines will immediately cease implementation and enforcement. The updated guidelines will then take effect and become the “Administrative Guidelines” referenced throughout the Home-Sharing Ordinance. All Home-Sharing applicants and Hosts who submit applications or have active registrations on and after the effective date will be subject to the rules and procedures established by the updated guidelines.

What is a Home-Sharing Registration?

A Home-Sharing registration allows the accessory use of a Host’s primary residence as a Short-Term Rental. There are two types of Home-Sharing Registrations:

• Regular Home-Sharing Registration - Allows Hosts to Home-Share their primary residence for up to 120 days in a calendar year (January 1 to December 31); and
• Extended Home-Sharing Registration - Allows Hosts to Home-Share their primary residence for up to the number of remaining days in a calendar year.

A Home-Sharing registration is issued upon review and approval of an application for meeting all eligibility requirements.

What is the difference between a Regular Home-Sharing registration and Extended Home-Sharing registration?

Two types of Home-Sharing registrations are available:

• Regular Home-Sharing (RHS) registrations allow Hosts to Short-Term Rent all or a portion of their primary residence for up to 120 days in a calendar year (January 1 - December 31); and
• Extended Home-Sharing (EHS) registrations  allow Hosts to Home-Share their primary residence for up to the number of remaining days in a calendar year. Please note that Hosts may only apply for an EHS registration once they hold an active RHS registration. Applicants must meet additional eligibility requirements to be eligible for EHS.

To better understand the key differences between RHS and EHS, please refer to the Regular and Extended Home-Sharing Comparison Chart.

How long is a Home-Sharing registration valid for?

Provided the registered Short-Term Rental unit remains the Host’s primary residence, a Home-Sharing Registration is valid for a 12-month registration period. After the 12-month registration period ends, the registration number expires and is no longer valid unless it is renewed. This 12-month registration period begins as explained below:

• Regular Home-Sharing Registration - the 12-month registration period begins on the date Department staff approve the application.
• Regular Home-Sharing Registration renewal - the 12-month registration period begins on the date Department staff approve the application, but only after the previous registration has expired.
• Extended Home-Sharing Registration - the 12-month registration period begins on the date the department issues final approval and all applicable fees are paid.
• Extended Home-Sharing Registration renewal - the 12-month registration period begins on the date the department issues final approval and all applicable fees are paid, but only after the previous registration has expired.
   

What are the eligibility requirements to participate in Home-Sharing?

Applicants are strongly advised to review the application and eligibility requirements available in the Home-Sharing Administrative Guidelines and the Home-Sharing webpage and assemble all required documentation before submitting an application.

To be eligible to participate in Home-Sharing, applicants must meet all of the following criteria including but not limited to:
 

To participate in Extended Home-Sharing (beyond 120 days a year), Hosts must meet the following additional criteria in addition to the Regular Home-Sharing eligibility requirements including but not limited to:
 

To view the checklists for each application type and additional application resources, please visit the Home-Sharing webpage.

Can I apply for a Home-Sharing registration for someone else?

No. The applicant themselves must complete an application for a Home-Sharing registration. The applicant must provide personal contact information (phone number and email address) where City Planning staff may reach them if a question or concern arises regarding their Home-Sharing Registration application. The phone number and email address provided must belong to the applicant and not to anyone other than the applicant. For privacy reasons, the Department will not discuss an application for a Home-Sharing Registration with anyone other than the applicant via the phone number or email address provided in the application.

Can I have more than one Home-Sharing registration at a time?

No. A person/rental unit may only have one Home-Sharing registration at a given time. Per the Home-Sharing Ordinance and Administrative Guidelines, a rental unit may only have one Home-Sharing registration. Any duplicate registrations/applications will be denied.

Can I use my Home-Sharing registration for more than one property or dwelling unit?

No. Hosts must use the Home-Sharing registration issued specifically for the rental unit being advertised. Using a Home-Sharing registration to advertise a different dwelling unit may be subject to enforcement action.

What areas of a home can be used for Home-Sharing?

Home-Sharing may occur in a structure approved for residential use by definitions established by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). Residential use may include just a bedroom or an entire unit, but not a non-residential space such as an attic, garage, recreation room, storage room, storage shed, temporary structure, or a trailer or vehicle.

Can Hosts rent out several rooms separately?

Hosts may maintain several listings for the registered property; however, Hosts may only allow one listing to be booked at a given time.

For example, a Host may have two separate listings for two separate bedrooms in their home but may only rent to one set of guests under one booking at a given time.

Do I need a Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC) to participate in Home-Sharing?

Yes. All registered Hosts are required to comply with the requirements of the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) as determined by the Office of Finance.

The following describes how Applicants may demonstrate compliance with the TOT registration requirement.

1. Applicants that already have a Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC) or transient account with the Office of Finance pursuant to LAMC Section 21.7.6 prior to applying for a Home-Sharing Registration, may provide the assigned BTRC number to the Department via the Online Registration Portal upon applying. If your BTRC is not provided on your application and a Home-Sharing registration is issued, you will be required to obtain a BTRC with the appropriate TOT classification from the Office of Finance once operating as a Host.
2. Applicants who do not have an existing BTRC number may continue to apply for a Home-Sharing registration through the Online Registration Portal. If a Home-Sharing registration is issued, the Applicant will be required to obtain a BTRC with the appropriate TOT classification from the Office of Finance before operating as a Host.

Upon applying for a registration renewal or Extended Home-Sharing registration, the Applicant may be required to provide documentation demonstrating compliance with the TOT requirements, including proof of registration with the Office of Finance, if applicable.

Do I need to obtain a Police Permit and how do I get one?

Yes. Effective July 1, 2024, the Responsible Hotel Ordinance requires operators of short-term rentals to obtain a Police Commission Permit.

Police Commission permits are administered by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). For questions regarding Police Commission permits and/or the Responsible Hotel Ordinance, please email rentals@lapd.online or visit the LAPD Hotels and Short-Term Rentals Section webpage.

How do I find out if my property is subject to a Housing restriction? If my property is subject to one of the Housing restrictions, can I still participate in Home-Sharing?

Dwelling units subject to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), an Affordability Covenant, or Low-Income restrictions are not eligible for Home-Sharing.

The status of a property may be reviewed under the “Housing” tab on ZIMAS. Because ZIMAS may not reflect the status of individual dwelling units, applicants may be required to obtain a Letter of Determination (LOD) from the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD). The LAHD RSO Determinations Unit may be reached at 213-928-9075 for this request.

Additional information on rent control and related restrictions is available on the LAHD website.

Owner-occupied units may be exempt from certain LAHD requirements and fees; however, they remain subject to the RSO and to the restrictions of the Home-Sharing Ordinance.

How do I find out if my property is subject to the Ellis Act?

Home-Sharing is not allowed on a property that was subject to an Ellis Act removal within the last five (5) years.

You may refer to the “Housing” tab on ZIMAS to determine the status of your property. Because ZIMAS may not reflect the status of individual dwelling units, applicants may be required to obtain a Letter of Determination (LOD) from the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD). The LAHD RSO Determinations Unit may be reached at 213-928-9075 for this request.

The Ellis Act is a provision in California Law (Government Code section 7060-7060.7) that provides landlords in California with a legal way to leave the rental market business. For more information about the Ellis Act, please refer to the LAHD website.

How do I proactively prohibit Home-Sharing on my property?

Property owners may proactively prohibit tenants from legally registering their dwelling unit for Home-Sharing via the Home-Sharing Application & Registration Portal (HARP). Please refer to the form within HARP for complete instructions and requirements.

How do I revoke authorization to conduct Home-Sharing on my property?

If you are the legal property owner of record and would like to revoke your authorization for your tenant to participate in Home-Sharing at your property, you must complete and submit the Property Owner’s Revocation of Previous Authorization to Conduct Home-Sharing form to planning.home-sharing@lacity.org. This revocation form can be found on the ‘Resources’ tab of the Home-Sharing webpage and must have your signature notarized.

How do I authorize my tenant to conduct Home-Sharing?

If you are the legal property owner of record and would like to authorize your tenant to participate in Home-Sharing at your property, you must complete and submit the Property Owner Authorization to Conduct Home-Sharing form. This form must have your signature notarized and must be provided by the tenant to their Home-Sharing application.

Tenants must provide a new copy of the Property Owner Authorization form when submitting an application. This Property Owner Authorization can be found on the ‘Resources’ tab of the Home-Sharing webpage and must be completed within 30 days of its submission date.

What should I do if my tenant is short-term renting without my permission, and can I be held responsible?

For Unregistered Properties

• If your tenant is short-term renting your property without your permission and the property does not have a valid Home-Sharing registration, please fill out the Unregistered Short-Term Rental Report form.
• Additionally, please email City Planning at planning.home-sharing@lacity.org with the tenant’s information and any listings that are currently active.

It is the Property Owner’s responsibility to confirm if the property is compliant, but City Planning can assist as needed.

For Registered Properties

• If your tenant is short-term renting your property without your permission and the property does have a valid Home-Sharing registration, please contact City Planning at planning.home-sharing@lacity.org and provide the registered address and HSR number for next steps.

Please Note

• As the legal property owner, you may be held responsible for illegal Short-Term rental activity taking place on your property.
• To confirm if a property is registered for Home-Sharing please refer to the Home-Sharing Public Records Portal.

What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a secondary residential dwelling unit located on the same lot as a main residence that provides independent living facilities, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation. An ADU is valid if it has been issued a Certificate of Occupancy identifying the structure as an ADU issued by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS).

For more information on ADUs, please go to the LADBS website.

Can I host in my Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?

An ADU with a building permit application and paid plan check fees submitted on or after January 1, 2017 can only be registered for Home-Sharing if it has a Certificate of Occupancy for the ADU issued by LADBS and is the Host’s primary residence. Hosts are not permitted to register an ADU for Home-Sharing if it has not yet been issued a Certificate of Occupancy.

For more information on ADUs, please go to the LADBS website.

While the City will refer to its own building permit records, the Applicant may also be required to submit additional documentation needed to verify the building permit application date and habitability of the ADU, including, but not limited to, a dated copy of the submitted building permit application and/or a copy of the Certificate of Occupancy.

Can I host in my Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and main home?

Home-Sharing may only occur in a Host's primary residence, (i.e., the dwelling unit where they reside for more than half of the year). Therefore, a Host’s primary residence may be the ADU or the main home, but not both.

Hosts may only use their Home-Sharing registration number for listings that advertise the address they registered. You may not use the same Home-Sharing registration for more than one address, even if the other address is on the same property.

For more information on ADUs, please go to the LADBS website.

How do I apply for Home-Sharing and what is the processing time for an  application?

If you live within the City of Los Angeles and plan on Home-Sharing your primary residence as a Short-Term Rental, you must apply for a Home-Sharing registration using the Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP). The registration portal contains step-by-step instructions to guide you through the application process. Please review all eligibility requirements before applying.

Applications are reviewed in the order received. Please note that an application may not be approved upon initial review and may require corrections.

Home-Sharing registration update emails are sent from no-reply@mg.hostcompliance.com to the email address provided in the application. It is recommended to safelist the email address no-reply@mg.hostcompliance.com to ensure that all communications are sent to your main inbox and/or regularly check your spam/junk folder if you cannot locate these emails.

What forms of identification are acceptable?

The applicant must provide an original copy of one of the photo identification (ID) documents issued by the State of California described below, showing their true full name and the street address where the proposed Home-Sharing use will take place.

• Valid California driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
• Valid California identification card issued by theDMV

No alternative forms of identification will be considered. All documents must be true and authentic.

What primary residence documents are acceptable?

All applicants must provide two proof of primary residency documents that shows the applicant’s true full name and address they are attempting to register for Home-Sharing.

• One (1) Property Tax Bill from the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector’s Office showing Homeowner’s Exemption; or
• One (1) Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) electricity bill; or
• One (1) Vehicle Registration Certificate from the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV); or
• One (1) Voter Registration Card or Voter Registration Abstract from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk; or 
• One (1) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Account Transcript or File Return Transcript; or
• One (1) or two (2) different Notices or Statements from a State of California or United States Federal Government Assistance Program showing proof of received benefits (e.g. Verification of Benefits document); or
• One (1) Jury Summons issued by the Los Angeles Superior Court or United States District Court.

No alternative documents will be considered. All documents must be true and authentic.

How does City Planning verify property ownership?

City Planning reviews City and/or County records to verify property ownership. Only the person named in City and/or County records as the property owner will be considered the legal property owner.

How do I input my address on the application?

Please enter your complete property address, including the street number, street name, city, state, and zip code (e.g., 200 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012). If your property has a unit number, please include it on your application.

The address provided must match how it appears in LADBS permit records. You can use ZIMAS to look up your address, verify permit records, and find your Assessor Parcel Number (APN).

How will I know if I have been approved for Home-Sharing?

When an application for Home-Sharing is found to be in compliance with the Ordinance and the Administrative Guidelines, the City’s Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP)  will automatically notify the applicant via email of their approval. The Host will be issued a Registration Certificate and may begin Home-Sharing activity.

When the application for a RHS Registration is found to be in compliance with the Ordinance and the Administrative Guidelines, the City’s vendor, Host Compliance, will notify the applicant via email of their approval. The Host will be issued a Regular Home-Sharing Registration Certificate and may begin Regular Home-Sharing activity.

When the application for an EHS Registration is found to be compliant with the Ordinance and the Administrative Guidelines, the City’s vendor, Host Compliance, will notify the applicant via email that they are eligible for Extended Home-Sharing and will request payment of the non-refundable mailing notification fees. Once all required fees are paid, the Host will be issued an Extended Home-Sharing Registration Certificate and may begin Extended Home-Sharing activity. If all required fees are not received within 30 days of the original eligibility approval date, the Extended Home-Sharing application will be withdrawn.

What do I do if my application for a Home-Sharing registration was rejected, denied or withdrawn?

If an application for a Home-Sharing registration was rejected, applicants will have 45 days from the original application rejection date to make necessary corrections or submit required documents. Failure to update or submit required documents within the 45-day period will result in the application being withdrawn.

Corrections are to be submitted via the online Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP). If there are issues uploading corrections to an application, please email our technical support team at support+los-angeles-ca@hostcompliance.com. Please provide your name, registered address, and registration number in your email.

If the applicant still wishes to participate in Home-Sharing after their Home-Sharing registration has been denied or withdrawn, they must submit a new or renewal application (if applicant has previously participated in Home-Sharing) and pay any applicable costs and fees again. There are no appeals of closed, denied, or withdrawn applications.

Home-Sharing registration update emails are sent from no-reply@mg.hostcompliance.com to the email address you provided in your application. Please safelist the email address no-reply@mg.hostcompliance.com to ensure you are always notified about any application updates, and review your spam/junk folder if you cannot locate this email in your inbox.

How can I check on the status of my Home-Sharing application and how will I be notified of application updates?

Login to the online Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP). Navigate to the Dashboard where you will be able to view all Home-Sharing registration applications that have been created along with the status of each (pending, active, denied, etc.).

Home-Sharing registration update emails are sent from no-reply@mg.hostcompliance.com to the email address provided in the application. Please safelist the email address no-reply@mg.hostcompliance.com to ensure you are always notified about any application updates, and review your spam/junk folder if you cannot locate this email in your inbox.

What does the status of my Home-Sharing application mean?

• Pending: An application is currently pending staff review. Applications are reviewed in the order received. Please note that an application may not be approved upon initial review and may require corrections.
• Rejected: An application has been reviewed by staff and has been rejected (corrections can be made). Applicants have 45-days from the date the application was originally rejected to make corrections.
• Denied: An application has been reviewed by staff and has been denied (corrections cannot be made) or it is past the 45-day window to make corrections. If an applicant still wishes to participate in Home-Sharing after an application has been denied, they must submit a new application and pay any applicable costs and fees again. There are no appeals of denied applications.
• Active: The property has successfully registered for Home-Sharing.
• Expired: The Home-Sharing registration has expired as indicated by the expiration date found on the Home-Sharing certificate. If an applicant still wishes to participate in Home-Sharing after a registration has expired, they must submit a new renewal application and pay any applicable costs and fees again.

 Always refer to the most recent update email from no-reply@mg.hostcompliance.com for an explanation on the status of your Home-Sharing application.

Why am I not receiving any emails about the status of my application?

Home-Sharing registration update emails (application approvals, application denials, requests for corrections, etc.) are sent from no-reply@mg.hostcompliance.com to the email address provided in the application. Please safelist the email address no-reply@mg.hostcompliance.com to ensure you are always notified about any application updates, and review your spam/junk folder if you cannot locate this email in your inbox. This may require that you update the filter and forwarding settings of your email account to prevent the automatic removal or deletion of emails from no-reply@mg.hostcompliance.com.

I did not pay the EHS Neighborhood Notification mailing fees within 30 days of application approval, what do I do now?

If all required fees for Extended Home-Sharing, including the neighborhood notification mailing fee, are not received within 30 days of the original eligibility approval date, the Extended Home-Sharing application will be withdrawn.

If you would like to reapply for an Extended Home-Sharing registration, please follow the instructions below based on your current registration status:

Applicants with an active RHS/EHS registration:

• If you still wish to participate in EHS after your application has been withdrawn and your previous Home-Sharing registration is still active, you must submit a new EHS application using the Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP).

Applicants without an active RHS/EHS registration:

• If you still wish to participate in Home-Sharing after your application has been withdrawn and your previous Home-Sharing registration has expired, you must submit a renewal application for a RHS registration using the HARP. If your renewal RHS application is approved, you may then submit a new application for an EHS registration.

Who do I contact if I am having technical issues with my application?

If you are having technical issues, please email our technical support team at support+los-angeles-ca@hostcompliance.com. Please provide your name, registered address, and registration number in your email.

What are the next steps after successfully registering for Home-Sharing?

Now that your property has been successfully registered for Home-Sharing, please ensure the following:

Where do I report my advertised listings?

Please log into the online Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP), navigate to the Dashboard, select your current registration, and click “Update Listing Sites.” Hosts must provide this information to the City via the HARP within 24 hours of the Host advertising their property on any Hosting Platform.

Where do I display my Home-Sharing registration number?

Hosts are required to display a valid City-issued Home-Sharing Registration Number on all listings in order to participate in Home-Sharing. If a Registration Number becomes invalid, the Host must remove all short-term rental listings within 24 hours.

Listings that do not display a valid City-issued Home-Sharing Registration Number are subject to enforcement action.

Are there standards of behavior for Home-Sharing guests? Who must receive a copy of the Code of Conduct?

Yes. Hosts will be responsible for providing a Code of Conduct to all guests, which will include information on safety and security requirements as well as good-neighbor principles. The Host may be responsible for any nuisance violations which occur at the property, even if they are committed by guests.

Are Hosts responsible for nuisance violations?

Hosts may be responsible for any nuisance violations, as described in LAMC Section 12.27., arising at their primary residence during Home-Sharing activities. The Host, or owner of the Host’s primary residence if not owned by the Host, may be assessed a minimum inspection fee, as specified in LAMC Section 98.0412, for each site inspection.

My registration is expiring soon, what do I need to do to continue Home-Sharing?

You may renew your Home-Sharing registration up to 60 days before the expiration date listed on your Home-Sharing registration certificate. If you would like to renew your Home-Sharing registration, you must do so using the online Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP).

Courtesy registration renewal reminders are typically emailed at least 60 days before a registration expires. Please note, it is a Host’s responsibility to remain up to date on renewing their Home-Sharing Registration in a timely manner. Home-Sharing registration update emails (application approvals, application denials, requests for corrections, etc.) are sent from no-reply@mg.hostcompliance.com to the email address you provided in your application. Please safelist the email address no-reply@mg.hostcompliance.com to ensure you are always notified about any application updates, and review your spam/junk folder if you cannot locate this email in your inbox.

I have an EHS registration, can I change back to a RHS registration? 

Yes, during application renewal. If you do not wish to renew your EHS registration when it expires and would like a RHS registration, you must submit a renewal application for a RHS registration using the Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP). You will be able to submit a renewal application for EHS or RHS once your registration is able to be renewed (approximately 60 days before expiration).

What are Home-Sharing records and when am I required to submit them?

Hosts must keep and preserve copies of all records regarding each Home-Sharing stay for at least three years. Hosts are required to submit a Home-Sharing Records Worksheet in the following situations:

How do I pay for the Per-Night Fee?

All registered Hosts are required to submit monthly reports on their Short-Term Rental activity via the Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP).

Please carefully review the steps below to accurately report your bookings:

• If you have not had any Short-Term Rental activity in the past month, you must still submit a report for “0” (zero) nights.
• If you only book through Hosting Platforms with a Platform Agreement, you must still submit a report for “0” (zero) nights. Those platforms will collect the nightly fees and send them to the City automatically.
• If you book through any Hosting Platform without a Platform Agreement, submit a report for the number of hosted nights.
• If you book through Hosting Platforms with a Platform Agreement in addition to other Hosting Platforms without a Platform Agreement, submit a report for the number of Hosted nights not including nights Hosted through any Hosting Platforms with a Platform Agreement. Those platforms will collect the nightly fees and send them to the City automatically.

Failure to submit monthly Per-Night Fee reports and pay any outstanding fees may delay the renewal of your registration.

If you are experiencing issues submitting Per-Night Fee payments for previous months, please email the Home-Sharing team at planning.home-sharing@lacity.org. Please provide your name, registered address, and registration number in your email and specify which months need to be paid for.

Can a Home-Sharing registration be transferred to another individual or property?

No. A Home-Sharing registration number and/or application for a Home-Sharing registration may not be transferred or assigned to another Host/applicant or to another property.

Per the Home-Sharing Ordinance and Administrative Guidelines, a rental unit may only have one Home-Sharing registration. Any duplicate registrations/applications will be denied and/or withdrawn.

Who do I contact if I am having issues with my Home-Sharing registration number on a Hosting Platform?

If you are experiencing difficulties with your listing on a specific Hosting Platform, you must contact the customer support team of that Hosting Platform.

Who do I contact if one of my listings has been removed from a Hosting Platform?

If you are experiencing difficulties with your listing on a specific Hosting Platform, you must contact the customer support team of that Hosting Platform.

I am no longer Home-Sharing, how do I withdraw my registration?

If you no longer wish to participate in Home-Sharing, please email planning.home-sharing@lacity.org from the email address you provided in your application.

Do hosts need to be home when they are hosting guests?

No. Hosts do not need to be home when hosting guests. However, the rental unit must be the Host's primary residence, and the Host must live at the primary residence for more than six months of the calendar year.

What is the application registration process to renew a Home-Sharing registration?

A Home-Sharing registration may be renewed annually by filing an application for renewal using the online Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP).

Applicants may apply for a Regular Home-Sharing renewal application beginning 60 days before the expiration of a registration number and anytime after. Applicants must meet the application and eligibility requirements for a Regular Home-Sharing registration and must meet additional renewal requirements:
 

An Extended Home-Sharing registration can be renewed annually following the same Regular Home-Sharing renewal requirements described above. However, applications for Extended Home-Sharing Registration renewals will only be accepted before the expiration of the registration.

If the Host does not submit a renewal application for their Extended-Home-Sharing Registration before it expires, they must submit a renewal application for a Regular Home-Sharing registration instead.

Additionally, if the Host no longer wants to participate in Extended Home-Sharing, they may submit a renewal application for a Regular Home-Sharing Registration instead.

What happens if I did not renew my Home-Sharing registration before it expired?

Applicants may apply for an RHS renewal application beginning 60 days before the expiration of a registration number and anytime after.

Applications for EHS renewals will only be accepted before the expiration of the registration.

If the Host does not submit a renewal application for their EHS Registration before it expires, they must submit a renewal application for an RHS registration instead. If your renewal RHS application is approved, you may then submit a new application for an EHS registration. 

What are the application fees for a Home-Sharing registration?

Home-Sharing registration fees are updated annually and are based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U). Please refer to the Home-Sharing webpage for up-to-date information regarding registration fees.

Application fees for a Regular Home-Sharing registration (RHS) and Extended Home-Sharing (EHS) registration are paid when the application is submitted. The required mailing notification fee for an Extended Home-Sharing application (EHS) is requested after an application has been reviewed and approved. Applicants will have 30 days from the day that the EHS application is approved to pay all required fees or their application will be withdrawn.

Are application fees refundable?

Per the Home-Sharing Administrative Guidelines, application fees are non-refundable. Applicants are informed of this policy before they submit their payment for the application fee.

What is the Per-Night-Fee and am I required to pay it?

All Home-Sharing activity in a given month is subject to the per-night fee, which is in addition to the Home-Sharing Registration application fee. The per-night fee requirements are as follows:

• Hosting Platforms which have a signed Platform Agreement with the City shall collect and remit the per-night fee to the City on behalf of Hosts.
• Hosts using a Hosting Platform without a Platform Agreement with the City must remit the per-night fee to the City themselves.

Hosts must use the online Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP) to report and pay the per-night fee on a monthly basis. Hosts must submit a count of the total number of nights their primary residence was used for Home-Sharing via a Hosting Platform without a Platform Agreement each month, even if that number is zero. This monthly Home-Sharing activity reporting requirement for the per-night fee is separate from the Home-Sharing Records requirement and the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT).

What is a Neighborhood Notification Mailing Fee?

As part of the application process for an EHS registration, applicants must pay the City or the City’s designated vendor to mail a notification of an EHS Registration to adjacent and abutting property owners and occupants. Please keep in mind that this is a courtesy notification, meaning this does not create a process for a neighbor to appeal an application for an EHS registration.

What is the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and am I required to pay it?

The Office of Finance is responsible for administrating and collecting the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). Property owners engaged in Short-Term Rental activity within the City of Los Angeles are responsible for remitting TOT to the City of Los Angeles. Please visit the Office of Finance website for more information about the TOT and the current TOT tax rate.

If you have any questions regarding the TOT, please contact the Office of Finance.

My Home-Sharing Registration expired and I’m unable to submit my remaining Per-Night Fee payments. What should I do?

Please log into the online Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP) to report and pay the per-night fee on a monthly basis. If you experience issues submitting additional Per Night Fee payments, please contact planning.home-sharing@lacity.org directly from the email that is currently associated with your Home-Sharing profile for assistance. Please provide your name, registered address, registration number and which months you would like to report payment for in your email.

How is the Home-Sharing Ordinance enforced?

The Home-Sharing Ordinance prohibits listing a Short-Term Rental without a valid city issued registration number. Rentals advertised for 30 nights or longer are exempt from these regulations.

Listings without a valid registration are considered non-compliant and may lead to issuance of a citation by the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) or the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). City Planning is not an enforcement agency and does not issue citations.

Citations may also be issued by one of the City’s enforcement agencies for other Home-Sharing violations. To view all enforceable violations set out by the Home-Sharing Ordinance, refer to the “Prohibitions section of the Ordinance and Home-Sharing Administrative Guidelines.

A Home-Sharing registration may be suspended or revoked, if a Host receives the required number of citations issued by a City enforcement agency, as follows:

* A registration year is measured from the date the registration number was issued or last renewed.

Where can I check if a property is registered for Home-Sharing or if a Home-Sharing citation has been issued?

To find the registration status of a property  and/or if a Home-Sharing citation has been issued to a property, please refer to the Home-Sharing Public Records Portal.

If you encounter any issues or are unable to retrieve the desired information, please submit a request pursuant to the California Public Records Act (PRA) by emailing planning.custodianofrecords@lacity.org.

How can I report problems/disruptions at registered Short-Term Rentals?

To report disruptive activity to the registered Host of a Short-Term Rental, please call the 24/7 Complaint  Line at 213-267-7788. If the property is registered, the Home-Sharing Emergency Contact will be notified of issues at the property. Please note that emergency contact information is only available for registered properties.

For specific issues occurring at a Short-Term Rental, please contact the following enforcement agencies below:

• Emergencies or violent crimes: Call 911.
• Excessive noise, unruly gatherings (party houses), and criminal activity: Contact the LAPD non-emergency line at 877-275-5273.
• Trash/litter concerns: Contact Los Angeles Sanitation and  Environment (LASAN) at 800-773-2489.
• Parking issues: Contact the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) at 213-485-4184 or 818-374-4823.
• Fire hazards: Contact the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) t at 213-978-3800 or 800-994-4444.
• Building code violations in single-family homes or condominiums: Contact LADBS at 213-473-3231 or visit LADBS - Code Enforcement.
• Building code violations in multifamily dwellings (including single-family homes with an ADU) and apartments: Contact LAHD at 866-557-7368 or visit LAHD - Report a Code Violation.

For a complete list of City Services, visit the MyLA311 website or dial 3-1-1 or 213-473-3231.

How can I report an unregistered Short-Term Rental?

To report an unregistered Short-Term Rental, please complete an Unregistered Short-Term Rental Report. This form is only to report Short-Term Rentals without a valid Home-Sharing registration number. Please refer to the Home-Sharing Public Records Portal if you are unsure if a Short-Term rental is unregistered.

For issues occurring at an unregistered Short-Term Rental besides operating as an unregistered short-term rental, please contact the following enforcement agencies below:

• Emergencies or violent crimes: Call 911.
• Excessive noise, unruly gatherings (party houses), and criminal activity: Contact the Police Department non-emergency line at 877-275-5273.
• Trash/litter concerns: Contact LASAN at 800-773-2489.
• Parking issues: Contact LADOTn at 213-485-4184 or 818-374-4823.
• Fire hazards: Contact LAFD at 213-978-3800 or 800-994-4444.
• Building code violations in single-family homes or condominiums: Contact the Department of Building and Safety at 213-473-3231 or visit LADBS - Code Enforcement.
• Building code violations in multifamily dwellings (including single-family homes with an ADU) and apartments: Contact the Housing Department at 866-557-7368 or visit LAHD - Report a Code Violation.

I received a Home-Sharing citation, what do I do?

Home-Sharing Citations
Please refer to the Administrative Citation Enforcement (ACE) Program for instructions to resolve a Home-Sharing Citation.

Please note Home-Sharing is not allowed on a property or by any Host that is subject to any open/pending citation. A citation will be considered “open”/unresolved if it is pending a review or hearing, even if the fine has been paid.

All Other Citations/Violations (Not a Home-Sharing Citation)
Please contact the City agency that issued the citation for guidance to resolve the citation/violation.

For a complete list of City Services, visit the MyLA311 website or dial 3-1-1 or 213-473-3231.

More than one citation has been issued to my property, why can't I have an EHS?

In order to be eligible for a ministerial review of an application for an Extended Home-Sharing registration, the Host, registered dwelling unit, and/or property may have no more than one citation/violation issued within the prior three years. Otherwise, the applicant may submit an application for discretionary review.

A discretionary review of an application for an Extended Home-Sharing Registration is required if a Host would like to participate in Home-Sharing beyond 120 days in a calendar year and more than one citation has been issued to the Host, registered dwelling unit, and/or property within the prior three years of the application date.

Please visit the Home-Sharing webpage for complete instructions on submitting a discretionary review of an application for an Extended Home-Sharing Registration.

What is the Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal?

The Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP) is where applicants can submit Home-Sharing applications, renew registrations, and/or pay their Per-Night Fees. Within HARP, applicants can view their Dashboard that displays an overview of Home-Sharing applications and/or registrations (pending, active, denied, expired, etc.). Inactive applications and registrations cannot be viewed on the HARP.

Do I need to make an account for the online Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP)?

Yes, you will need to create an account if you currently have an active Home-Sharing registration or if you would like to apply for a new Home-Sharing registration. Please note that you will only need to create an account once. If you already have a pending application or active registration, you must use the same email address you provided on your application in order to successfully connect.

To create an account on the online Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP), please follow the below steps:

• http://planning4la.org/HARP
• Click on ‘Create An Account’
• Fill in your email address and password
• Confirm your password
• Click “Submit”

After submitting the above information, a verification email will be sent out. Once you have completed the verification process, you can log into the portal with your credentials.

I have an existing application / registration, how do I make an account for the online Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP)?

Please follow the steps outlined above to create a new account in the online Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP). If you already have a pending application or active registration, you must use the same email address you provided on your application in order to successfully connect.

Once you have logged into the portal, please click on ‘Connect an Existing Registration to your Account.’  You will be prompted to provide the email associated with your registration. Once entered, you will be emailed a six-digit verification code.

How do I apply for a Home-Sharing registration on the online Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP)?

If you have never been issued a Home-Sharing registration number for the unit, you may apply for a new Regular Home-Sharing (RHS) registration by following the steps below:

• From the “‘Home’ page, under ‘Submit a New Regular Home-Sharing Application,’ click on “Start Application”
• Verify your account information and the eligibility criteria
• Fill out the required application information
• Verify all required information is provided
• Submit the application

If you already have a Home-Sharing registration number for the unit and would like to apply for a new Extended Home-Sharing registration or a Renewal Regular/Extended Home-Sharing (EHS) registration, navigate to your Dashboard and submit an application for your existing registration, if eligible.

You can check on the status of your application in the Dashboard, which will show an overview of all of your Home-Sharing applications/registrations.

Application statuses are as follows:

• Pending: An application is currently pending staff review. Applications are reviewed in the order received. Please note that an application may not be approved upon initial review and may require corrections.
• Rejected: An application has been reviewed by staff and has been rejected (corrections can be made). Applicants have 45-days from the date the application was originally rejected to make corrections.
• Denied: An application has been reviewed by staff and has been denied (corrections cannot be made) or it is past the 45-day window to make corrections. If an applicant still wishes to participate in Home-Sharing after an application has been denied, they must submit a new application and pay any applicable costs and fees again. There are no appeals of denied applications.
• Active: The property has successfully been registered for Home-Sharing.
• Expired: The Home-Sharing registration has expired as indicated by the expiration date found on the Home-Sharing certificate. If an applicant still wishes to participate in Home-Sharing after a registration has expired, they must submit a new renewal application and pay any applicable costs and fees again.

Can I make updates to my Home-Sharing profile?

Updates and/or changes to a Home-Sharing profile will be approved on a case-by-case basis to ensure that Home-Sharing accounts are not transferred to other Hosts/applicants or to other properties.

Please contact planning.home-sharing@lacity.org directly from the email that is currently associated with your Home-Sharing profile for assistance. Please provide your name, registered address, registration number and proposed updates in your email.

Can I update the email that is associated with my Home-Sharing account?

This will only be approved on a case-by-case basis to ensure that Home-Sharing accounts are not transferred to other Hosts/applicants or to other properties.

Please contact planning.home-sharing@lacity.org directly from the email that is currently associated with your Home-Sharing profile for assistance. Please provide your name, registered address, and registration number in your email.

If you are unable to access the email address associated with your registration, please contact planning.home-sharing@lacity.org.

For privacy reasons, City Planning can only respond to inquiries regarding a specific Home-Sharing application or registration that comes from the email address provided in their account.

I am having issues with the online Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP), who do I contact for technical support?

If you encounter any technical issues with the online Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP), please email our technical support team directly (support+los-angeles-ca@hostcompliance.com) to report any issues.

How can I check if a Short-Term Rental is registered?

To confirm if a property is registered for Home-Sharing please refer to the Home-Sharing Public Records Portal. The portal allows users to:

• Check the Home-Sharing Registration number provided by a Host and/or Listing
• Verify the Short-Term Rental Listing address provided by a Host and/or Listing
• View complaint and enforcement history associated with a specific property

If you encounter any issues or are unable to retrieve the desired information, please submit a request pursuant to the California Public Records Act by emailing planning.custodianofrecords@lacity.org.

If the listing is unregistered, you may report the unregistered Short-Term Rental, by completing an Unregistered Short-Term Rental Report.

How do I report an issue I had at a Short-Term Rental?

For specific issues occurring at a Short-Term Rental, please contact the following enforcement agencies below:

• Emergencies or violent crimes: Call 911.
• Excessive noise, unruly gatherings (party houses), and criminal activity: Contact the LAPD non-emergency line at 877-275-5273.
• Trash/litter concerns: Contact LASAN at 800-773-2489.
• Parking issues: Contact LADOT at 213-485-4184 or 818-374-4823.
• Fire hazards: Contact LAFD at 213-978-3800 or 800-994-4444.
• Building code violations in single-family homes or condominiums: Contact LADBS at 213-473-3231 or visit LADBS - Code Enforcement.
• Building code violations in multifamily dwellings (including single-family homes with an ADU) and apartments: Contact LAHD at 866-557-7368 or visit LAHD - Report a Code Violation.

For a complete list of City Services, visit the MyLA311 website or dial 3-1-1 or 213-473-3231.

What is the Guest Code of Conduct?

Hosts are required to provide all Home-Sharing guests on their property with the Guest Code of Conduct, which includes information on safety and security requirements as well as good-neighbor principles.

We ask you to please observe the following City of Los Angeles rules and regulations for Home-Sharing, including but not limited to:

• Noise: There shall be no use of sound amplifying equipment (defined in LAMC Section 111.01(j)) after 10:00 pm and no evening outdoor congregations of more than 8 people (excluding children) during Home-Sharing activities. Home-Sharing activities are also subject to the noise regulations in the LAMC, as well as the “Party House Ordinance” (LAMC Section 41.58.1) which prohibits loud or unruly gatherings, so please keep voices and other sound to a reasonable level.
• Commercial Uses: Non-residential commercial uses including, but not limited to, sales or exchange of products, events that charge a fee, or the promotion, display or servicing of any product is not permitted.
• Safety: Every home-sharing unit shall be maintained with working fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors, shall be in compliance with fire, life and safety codes; as well as provide information related to emergency exit routes on the property and contact information, including the contact information of the Host or a designated responsible agent of the Host. If any of these safety features are not provided, please notify the Host or the City by calling the 24/7 Complaint Line at 213- 267-7788.
• Number of Guests: No more than 2 overnight adult guests (18+) are allowed per habitable room, not including kitchens, during home-sharing activities. Children under age 18 are not counted towards this occupancy limit.
• Fire Zones: If you are renting a residence located in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ), smoking is not permitted in any exterior of the property. Written notices shall be posted on any patio or deck that is located in a VHFHSZ.

 What information do I need to report an unregistered Short-Term Rental?

To better assist in enforcement efforts against unregistered Short-Term Rental properties, please submit an Unregistered Short-Term Rental Report and provide the specific Short-Term Rental listing URL, the address and the unit number of the unregistered property.