Short Term Residential Rentals

For any concerns for Short Term Rentals, please contact the dedicated 24-hour hotline at 714-909-1011 or online at our Short Term Rental Complain Portal.

Short-term rentals (STRs) have exploded in popularity in the last decade with the rise of hosting platforms such as Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO. The popularity of STRs is not a lodging option that is likely to vanish in the next coming years. Understanding STRs permanence in the hospitality industry, the City of Placentia has taken steps to proactively permit and regulate all citywide STRs.

In 2019, the City of Placentia adopted Ordinance No. O-2019-06, which sets out regulations for short-term rentals (STRs), which are units available for a period of less than 30 days. These rules were intended to prevent loss of housing stock, reduce impacts on neighbors, and ensure collection of Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), which is a requirement of the Placentia Municipal Code.

The key rules for STRs are as follows:

• Personal Availability – Each Short-term residential rental shall have a local contact person that shall be available seven (7) days per week, twenty-four (24) hours per day to respond to public safety calls, nuisances, or other complaints regarding the use, condition, operation, or conduct of occupants on the premises. The local contact person shall respond within one (1) hour to satisfactorily correct any alleged nuisance or violation of the Placentia Municipal Code.
• Accessory Dwelling Units –ADUs may not be used as separate short-term rentals. They have the same limitations as the primary residence. Short-term rentals are not permitted on any property with either an ADU or JADU.
• Additional Regulations – Additional rules regarding local contact person, parking, and special events are available in the Short-Term Rental Guidelines and Placentia Municipal Code.
• Rental Permit Required – All short-term rentals must have short-term residential rental permits registered with the City, which shall be renewed annually.
• Business License Required – All short-term rentals must have registered business licenses with the City, which shall be renewed annually.
• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) – Hosts shall remit TOT quarterly to the City in the amount of 10% of the nightly rate for each rental night. Upon registration, instructions for TOT remittance will be provided.
• HOA Pre-Approval – All properties that belong to an HOA (Common Interest Development) must obtain prior approval from the HOA before registering as a short-term rental.

 How do I register for a STR?

The registration process is as follows:

• Register (in person) your short-term rental property at the Placentia City Hall. Fill in the TOT Registration form and Short-Term Contact Information form. Pay the non-refundable short-term rental registration fee of $431.43. This fee includes the time it takes to review your application.
• Property owner shall provide proof of General Commercial Liability Insurance.
• If your short-term rental is approved, we will send an approval letter to the property owner or managing agency that includes an STR number, which will be assigned exclusively to your property.
• Bring your approval letter to the Placentia City Hall and apply for your business license – there is a separate fee that must be paid. After obtaining your business license, your short-term rental will be in compliance.

How do I report the location of a suspected illegal short-term rental? 

 Please contact the dedicated 24-hour hotline at 714-909-1011 or visit safe.hostcompliance.com/placentia-ca/tips.

How do I file a complaint about a specific short-term rental (e.g. noise, parking, trash, etc.)? 

Please contact the dedicated 24-hour hotline at 714-909-1011 or visit safe.hostcompliance.com/placentia-ca/tips.