PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - Beginning Sept. 6, 2022, the City of Long Beach will initiate the enforcement of short-term rentals (STRs) operating in the coastal zone areas of the City. This action comes as a result of the City Council’s acceptance of the California Coastal Commission’s recommended changes to the City’s STR ordinance earlier this year.

Operators and hosts of STRs in coastal zone areas have been able to operate without registering while the City awaited the Coastal Commission’s review of the proposed ordinance, which was approved on May 13, 2022. Those STR operators and hosts now have until Sept. 6, 2022, to become registered if they wish to continue operating. Otherwise, the operation of their STRs will be considered illegal and operators would be subject to a $1,000 fine.

Interested STR operators and hosts are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the requirements to operate legally in Long Beach, including but not limited to:

• One non-primary unit per person.
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) cannot be used for STR operation.
• Limits on the number of units that can be used for STRs per property/condominium building.
• Property inspections by the City may be conducted prior to approval.
• Transient occupancy tax must be reported monthly online.

The online registration process for the STR Program can be found along with operator and host guidelines at longbeach.gov/strs. Registration applications cost $250 and are valid for one year from the approval date. Registrants are required to submit an annual $250 renewal application fee thereafter to continue operating.    

The overall purpose of the STR regulations is to promote tourism to the city while protecting neighborhoods from any nuisance behavior or overconcentration of vacation rentals. People can report any concerns or nuisance activity online by emailing shorttermrentals@longbeach.gov or by calling 562.568.8665.

Following the adoption of the ordinance earlier this year, the City has provided information and resources to more than 250 individuals who have expressed interest in operating a STR within the coastal zone. City staff also continues to work with Airbnb and VRBO, the two most popular vacation rental platforms, to help inform customers of the City’s impending registration deadline.

For additional information about housing in Long Beach, visit the Development Services Department website at longbeach.gov/lbds.

Media inquiries may be directed to Rick de la Torre, Community Information Officer, Development Services Department, at 562.570.7174 or Rick.DeLaTorre@longbeach.gov.