PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The planning process is now underway for the City to begin expanding the short-term rental (STR) program registration for property owners interested in legally operating a non-primary residence as an STR. Last week, the Long Beach City Council voted to adopt an emergency ordinance that allows for the operation of un-hosted STRs in the city. 

Key provisions of the new Ordinance include:

• STR operators have the ability to register a non-primary residence with no limit on the number of days for un-hosted rentals.
• Limits on the number of non-primary STR registrations allowed in the City to a maximum of 800.
• Limits on the number of STRs allowed per operator to one primary residence STR and one non-primary residence STR.
• Primary residence STRs can allow up to 90 days of un-hosted rentals with no limit on the number of days for hosted rentals.
• A process for residential property owners to petition for a prohibition on un-hosted rentals from occurring in their census tract block group.

Prior to opening the non-primary residence registration system, City staff will announce when property owners can begin submitting applications and 800 applicants will be selected by lottery to register. No registrations for non-primary residences will be available until the lottery is conducted. 

Additional information on the petition process for census tract block groups to be able to opt out of allowing un-hosted rentals in a given area will also be announced. 

Detailed registration information will be available in the coming weeks on the Development Services Department STRs webpage. For assistance, property owners or operators may call 562.570.6820 or email shorttermrentals@longbeach.gov.

In October, the City announced the start of registration for operating hosted STRs in Long Beach. Pursuant to the STRs Ordinance, the process for registering primary residence STRs will continue without interruption. Operators with unregistered primary residence STRs have until April 22, 2021, to register with the City. Under the new Ordinance, the same deadline will now apply to the registration of non-primary residence STRs.

Currently, all of Southern California is under a Regional Stay at Home Order, and all non-essential travel and lodging is temporarily restricted. 

Following the growth of rental platforms such as Airbnb and HomeAway in recent years, the City Council took action to adopt an ordinance to permit the rent or lease of privately-owned residential units on a short-term basis.

To learn more about the STRs Program, including information about the Ordinance and STR guidelines to help ensure the safety and livability of Long Beach neighborhoods, go to longbeach.gov/strs. 

For additional information about housing in Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/lbds or view the City’s Resources for Homeowners, Renters and Landlords.

The City maintains a STR complaint hotline. People can report any concerns or nuisance activity online or by calling 562.568.8665.

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