Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Section 3.32.030, effective January 1, 2020, states that for occupancy of any hotel, motel, hostel, hospital, or permitted short term rental as defined, each transient is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amount of fourteen (14) percent* of the rent or bill charged by the operator. Said tax constitutes a debt owed by the transient to the City which is extinguished only by payment to the operator of the hotel, hospital, or other permitted short term accommodation at the time the rent or bill is paid. If the rent or bill is paid in installments, a proportionate share of the tax shall be paid with each installment. The unpaid tax shall be due upon the transient's ceasing to occupy space in the hotel, hospital, or other permitted short term accommodation. If for any reason the tax due is not paid to the operator, the tax administrator may require that such tax shall be paid directly to the tax administrator.

• Guidelines -  Frequently Asked Questions

• Guidelines - Revenue Tracking

• Guidelines - Exemption Qualifications 

• TOT Return Form

• TOT Exemption Certification for Non-Transient Occupants

• TOT Exemption Certification for Government Officers & Employees 

November 5, 2019 Ballot Measure 

*On November 5, 2019, Hermosa Beach voters approved Mesasure H to increase the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rate from 12% to 14%.  For more information, please see our Elections page.