Short-Term Vacation Rental Regulations

What is a short-term vacation rental?

Per HBMC 17.04, short-term vacation rental shall mean the rental of a residential dwelling, a dwelling unit, or a room in a dwelling for compensation by way of a rental agreement, lease, license or any other means, whether oral or written to a person or group of persons for temporary overnight accommodations for a period of less than thirty (30) consecutive days. Short-term vacation rentals are also known as "short-term vacation rental" and "vacation rentals." 

What are the short-term rental vacation rental regulations in Hermosa Beach?

Regulations pertaining to short-term vacation rentals in Hermosa Beach can be found in Hermosa Beach Municipal Code (HBMC) Section 17.42.180.

Where are short-term vacation rentals allowed in Hermosa Beach?

Short-term vacation rentals shall only be permitted in nonconforming residential dwellings on properties zoned C-2, C-3, SPA 7, SPA 8 or SPA 11.

What is a non-conforming residential dwelling:

A "non-conforming residential unit" shall mean a residential dwelling unit that was lawfully established and maintained as a dwelling unit as of October 24, 2019. If the unit is converted into a nonresidential use, then it shall be deemed the termination of the existing nonconforming residential use, and thereby the unit loses any nonconforming status as a residential use and loses any right to operate as a short-term vacation rental.

How can I legally operate a short-term vacation rental in Hermosa Beach? What is the process to apply?

Applications for short-term vacation rentals are processed through the Community Development Department, Planning Division.  Please review the Short-Term Vacation Rental Application for information regarding requirements.  

Completed applications or related questions may be directed to:

(310) 318-0242

planning@hermosabeach.gov

What happens if I operate a short-term vacation rental without a permit?

The City of Hermosa Beach does not allow the operation or advertising of a short-term vacation rental without an administrative permit, and there are penalties, which include:

$5,000 - 1st violation

$10,000 - 2nd violation

$20,000 - 3rd violation (and every subsequent violation thereafter)

Each occurrence is subject to a fine.  A separate occurrence may be each advertisement that is posted and every day that the advertisement is posted. 

Enforcement of illegally operated short term vacation rentals:

The City of Hermosa Beach has finalized a contract service agreement to assist in the enforcement of short-term vacation rental advertising. This will allow for widespread proactive enforcement and the city can expect an increase of enforcement in the coming months.

Reporting illegally operated short term vacation rentals:

To report an illegally operated short-term vacation rental, please use the City's service request portal.  Go Hermosa! App  You can use this efficient tool to report any of your Code Enforcement issues.  Please include the following information when reporting short-term vacation rentals:  address, photos, time of observations, and any other pertinent information that may assist Code Enforcement staff.

All reported concerns are kept strictly confidential.

Once your concern is received, Code Enforcement will work to identify the violation and utilize available means to resolve confirmed violations.  Please keep in mind that the enforcement process may be lengthy, Code Enforcement staff are legally obligated to specific timelines and noticing that may extend the process.

If you have additional questions, please contact:

(310) 318-0234

code-enforcement@hermosabeach.gov