Short-term rental (Airbnb) rules in Malibu, California
Yes, with a city short-term rental (STR) permit (rules from Ordinance 468 of 2020 and the city's STR page; they may have changed since), required since January 15, 2021 for any rental of 30 days or less. Permits last one year and must be renewed annually; the mail-in fee listed is $372. Occupancy is capped at 2 more than twice the number of bedrooms (14 max), you must have a valid septic (OWTS) operating permit or compliance agreement, and operating without a permit is fined $1,000 a day or more.
| What counts as a short-term rental | 30 consecutive days or less [1] |
| Permit required | Yes, per lot or condo unit; permit number on all ads [2] |
| Permit term | 1 year, renewed annually [3] |
| Application fee (mail-in) | $372 [4] |
| Max occupancy | 2 x bedrooms + 2, up to 14 people [5] |
| 24/7 local contact | Owner's agent must answer calls at all hours [6] |
| Septic requirement | Valid OWTS operating permit or compliance agreement (since Jan. 1, 2023) [7] |
| Not allowed in | Vehicles, trailers, tents, sheds, garages [8] |
| Fine for unpermitted STR | $1,000/day or twice the nightly rate, whichever is higher [9] |
| Revocation trigger | 2+ noise citations in 12 months [10] |
| ADUs and JADUs | No rentals under 30 days [11] |
Permit required
This page is based on Ordinance 468 as adopted in 2020 and the city's STR program page; the Municipal Code version (Chapter 17.55) wasn't available to us and may have been amended since. Malibu's STR rules are in Municipal Code Chapter 17.55, added by Ordinance 468 and in effect since January 15, 2021. A short-term rental is renting all or part of a home for 30 consecutive days or less [1]. You can't rent, advertise or offer a short-term rental without a valid STR permit. Every listing must show the permit number, and you need a separate permit for each lot or condo unit [2]. Permits last one year and must be renewed annually [3]. Renewal applications are due at least 30 days before expiration.
The city's STR page lists a $372 fee for mail-in applications [4]. You'll need proof of ownership, an attestation that your CC&Rs or HOA allow STRs, your bedroom count and planned occupancy, and your listing URLs. You must also be registered for and pay the city's transient occupancy tax.
Operating rules
- Occupancy: no more than 2 people over twice the number of bedrooms, up to 14, unless you get a special event permit [5].
- Local contact: an owner's agent who can fix problems must answer calls 24/7 [6].
- Provide fire extinguishers, smoke and CO detectors, and give guests the city's STR Code of Conduct, posted inside the main door.
- Septic: since January 1, 2023, you need a valid onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) operating permit or a city compliance agreement [7].
- You can't rent vehicles, trailers, tents, sheds or garages as STRs [8].
Where STRs aren't allowed
Ordinance 468 says the city has long prohibited short-term rentals in multifamily buildings where they amount to an illegal hotel. ADUs and junior ADUs can't be rented for less than 30 days [11]. Ordinance 468 has no primary-residence or hosting requirement. A 2020 "hosted STR" ordinance (Ord. 472) would require an onsite host and primary residency and would replace the current permit program, but the city says it can't take effect until the Coastal Commission certifies matching Local Coastal Program amendments. The city's page on that ordinance was last updated in 2023, so ask the city whether it has since taken effect before buying a property to rent.
Penalties
An unpermitted STR is fined $1,000 per day or twice the advertised nightly rate, whichever is higher. Other violations are $500 a day or the nightly rate [9]. A permit can be denied or revoked for two noise citations in 12 months or three other violations [10]. After revocation you can't rent for 12 months.
See how Malibu compares with 8+ other California towns on short-term rentals (airbnb / vrbo) →
Next steps
- Confirm your HOA or CC&Rs allow short-term rentals and that your septic system has a valid OWTS operating permit (or a compliance agreement).
- Register for transient occupancy tax with the Finance Division (310-456-2489).
- Apply online through the city's Host Compliance portal or by mail to the STR Permit Program, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, with your grant deed, signed application and fee; STR support is 310-456-2489 ext. 381.
- Post the permit number on every listing and the Code of Conduct inside the main door, and renew at least 30 days before the permit expires.
Common questions
- Are short-term rentals allowed in Malibu, California?
- Yes, with a city short-term rental permit, required since January 15, 2021 for any rental of 30 days or less. Permits last one year and must be renewed annually. These rules come from Ordinance 468 of 2020 and the city's STR page, and may have changed since.
- How do I get a short-term rental permit in Malibu, California?
- Apply online or by mail with proof of ownership, an attestation that your CC&Rs or HOA allow STRs, your bedroom count, occupancy and listing URLs; the mail-in fee listed is $372. You also need a valid septic (OWTS) operating permit or compliance agreement and transient occupancy tax registration.
- How many guests are allowed in a Malibu, California short-term rental?
- No more than 2 people over twice the number of bedrooms, up to 14, unless you get a special event permit. An owner's agent must also answer calls 24/7.
- What is the fine for an unpermitted short-term rental in Malibu, California?
- An unpermitted STR is fined $1,000 per day or twice the advertised nightly rate, whichever is higher. A permit can be revoked for two noise citations in 12 months, and after revocation you can't rent for 12 months.
- Can I rent my ADU on Airbnb in Malibu, California?
- No. ADUs and junior ADUs in Malibu can't be rented for less than 30 days.
California state rules for short-term rentals
California has no statewide short-term rental license or registry. Your city or county decides whether and how you can rent on Airbnb or VRBO, including permits, caps, primary-residence rules and minimum stays.
Taxes: cities and counties may levy a transient occupancy tax (TOT) on stays of 30 days or less (Rev. & Tax. Code §7280). Rates and registration are local, and the county rate applies only in unincorporated areas.
New platform reporting law: since January 1, 2026, a city or county can adopt an ordinance requiring platforms like Airbnb and VRBO to report the address of each short-term rental (Gov. Code §50990 et seq., SB 346). Where a city has opted in, listings must also show the local license number and TOT certificate.
ADUs and SB 9 units: state law lets cities require that ADUs be rented for 30 days or longer. It requires that for by-right ADUs, junior ADUs and units built under SB 9 lot splits (see ADUs).
Coastal zone: in a December 2016 letter, the Coastal Commission said:
- STR rules in the coastal zone must be adopted through the city's Local Coastal Program or a coastal development permit, and bans adopted any other way are likely not enforceable there.
- The Commission has not historically supported blanket STR bans, finding they unduly limit public access to the coast.
- It has supported reasonable limits, such as caps on the number of rentals, occupancy limits, and limits on which housing types can be rented.
What the ordinance says
- MMC 17.02.060 (Definitions), added by Ord. 468, Ordinance No. 468 - Short-Term Rental Enforcement Ordinance, p. 4
“Short-term rental” ofproperty shall mean the renting, or offer to make available, (by way of a rental agreement, lease, license or any other means, whether oral or written) for compensation or consideration, ofresidential property, a dwelling unit, or a portion thereof, for a period ofthirty (30) consecutive days or less to a transient.
- MMC 17.55.010(B), Ordinance No. 468 - Short-Term Rental Enforcement Ordinance, p. 5
A separate short-term rental permit is required for every legal lot or condominium unit (if a condominium unit is to be rented).
- MMC 17.55.010(E), Ordinance No. 468 - Short-Term Rental Enforcement Ordinance, p. 5
Short-term rental permits shall be issued for one year and must be renewed annually.
- Short-Term Rental Program page, Mail-In Application Submittal, Short-Term Rental Program (Planning page), p. 1
Check in the amount of $372 payable to the City of Malibu
- MMC 17.55.020(A)(8), Ordinance No. 468 - Short-Term Rental Enforcement Ordinance, p. 6
The maximum occupancy of a short-term rental property (including the guests, owner, and any other natural persons) shall be limited to two (2) people more than twice the number ofbedrooms listed on City or County records up to a maximum of fourteen (14) people, unless a special event permit is obtained pursuant to Chapter 5.34 ofthis code.
- MMC 17.55.020(A)(5), Ordinance No. 468 - Short-Term Rental Enforcement Ordinance, p. 6
The owner’s agent, with access to the dwelling unit and authority to fix any problems or violations ofthis chapter, must be available twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, at a phone number provided to both the City and any guest staying at the property to answer a call from the City, an agent authorized by the City to make such calls or a guest when there is a guest renting the property.
- MMC 17.55.020(C), Ordinance No. 468 - Short-Term Rental Enforcement Ordinance, p. 7
As ofJanuary 1, 2023, short-term rental ofproperty is prohibited on any property unless the owner ofthe property (1) has obtained a valid OWTS operating permit for the property pursuant to Chapter 15.44 or (2) has entered a compliance agreement with the City excusing such compliance, and is in compliance withthe compliance agreement and not in default or breach.
- MMC 17.55.020(B), Ordinance No. 468 - Short-Term Rental Enforcement Ordinance, p. 7
No person shall offer, facilitate an offer, or allow short-term rental of property in any location not specifically identified and approved on a short-term rental permit or in a location not approved for use as a dwelling unit including, but not limited to, any vehicle, trailer, tent, storage shed or garage.
- MMC 17.55.080(A), Ordinance No. 468 - Short-Term Rental Enforcement Ordinance, p. 9
In addition to the other penalties and remedies available to the City, violations of this Chapter shall be subject to the administrative citation provisions of Chapter 1.10, except that any violation of Section 17.55.010(A) shall be subject to a fine of $1000 per day or violation, or twice the advertised short-term rental’s daily rental rate per day or violation, whichever is higher, and for all otherviolations an owner shall be subject to a fine of$500 per day or violation, or the short-term rental’s advertised daily rate per day or violation, whichever is higher.
- MMC 17.55.030(A)(7), Ordinance No. 468 - Short-Term Rental Enforcement Ordinance, p. 7
The property has receivedtwo ormore citations forviolations ofthe City’snoise ordinance within aperiod of 12 consecutive months.
- MMC 17.44.080(B), as amended by Ord. 535, Ordinance No. 535 - Zoning Text Amendment 25-003 updating ADU regulations (Title 17), p. 10
An ADU or JADU may not be rented for a term that is shorter than 30 days. This prohibition applies regardless of when the ADU or JADU was created.