Short-term rental (Airbnb) rules in Pasadena, California
Only in your primary residence (where you live at least 9 months a year), and only with an annual city short-term rental permit. Whole-home stays while you're away are capped at 90 days a year, and vacation rentals of homes you don't live in are banned.
| Vacation rentals (not your primary residence) | Prohibited [2] |
| Permit | City short-term rental permit required before renting [3] |
| Primary residence | Must live there at least 9 months per year [1] |
| Permit term | 1 year; renewable, not transferable [5] |
| Un-hosted stays | Max 90 days per year (no cap on hosted stays) [6] |
| Max guests | 2 per bedroom plus 2 [7] |
| ADUs permitted after Jan. 1, 2017 | Can't be used as short-term rentals [8] |
| Parking | Must be provided on-site [9] |
| Listings | Must show city permit number [10] |
Primary residence only
Pasadena allows "home-sharing": renting all or part of your primary residence for 30 consecutive days or less. Your primary residence must be documented by at least two records in your name (vehicle registration, driver's license, voter registration, tax documents or a utility bill), you may have only one, and you must live there at least 9 months a year [1]. Vacation rentals (homes that aren't the host's primary residence) are prohibited [2]. Single-family homes, duplexes, condos, townhomes and apartments are eligible, except affordable-covenant and Section 8 units. Tenants may participate if they notify their landlord, and HOA rules still apply.
Permit
You need a short-term rental permit from the Planning & Community Development Department before renting [3]. Eligibility includes a transient occupancy registration certificate from the Finance Department and a notarized affidavit that the unit is your primary residence, a contact is available 24 hours a day, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and egress meet code, and abutting neighbors will be notified [4]. Permits last one year, don't transfer, and are renewed with a fee and a year of stay records [5]. Fees are set by City Council resolution.
Operating rules
- Un-hosted stays (you're away): max 90 days per year; hosted stays have no cap [6].
- Max 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 [7].
- No commercial events, parties or weddings; parking on-site [9]; no exterior signs.
- Listings must show your city permit number [10].
- No renting sheds, garages, trailers, tents or vehicles.
- Pay transient occupancy tax and keep records for three years.
ADUs and enforcement
An ADU or accessory structure permitted after Jan. 1, 2017 can't be used for short-term rental; older legal ones can be rented along with the main house when the main house is your home [8]. Owners of multi-unit properties who live on-site may rent their residence plus one other unit. Three violations can lead to automatic permit suspension.
See how Pasadena compares with 8+ other California towns on short-term rentals (airbnb / vrbo) →
Next steps
- Get a transient occupancy registration certificate from the Pasadena Finance Department.
- Gather two documents proving the home is your primary residence, and install smoke and CO detectors and fire extinguishers.
- Apply for a short-term rental permit with the Planning & Community Development Department, including the notarized affidavit and indemnification agreement.
- Notify abutting neighbors (and your landlord or HOA if applicable) before you start, and put the permit number on every listing.
Common questions
- Are short-term rentals legal in Pasadena, California?
- Only in your primary residence, where you live at least 9 months a year, and only with an annual city short-term rental permit. Vacation rentals of homes you don't live in are banned.
- How many days can I rent my home on Airbnb in Pasadena, California?
- Whole-home stays while you're away are capped at 90 days a year. There is no cap on hosted stays.
- Do I need a permit for a short-term rental in Pasadena, California?
- Yes. A city short-term rental permit is required before renting. It lasts 1 year and is renewable but not transferable.
- Can I use an ADU as an Airbnb in Pasadena, California?
- No. ADUs permitted after Jan. 1, 2017 can't be used as short-term rentals.
- How many guests are allowed at a short-term rental in Pasadena, California?
- The maximum is 2 per bedroom plus 2. Parking must be provided on-site and listings must show the city permit number.
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
- Sec. 17.50.296.B.5, Zoning Code Chapter 17.50 - Standards for Specific Land Uses (ADUs 17.50.275, accessory structures 17.50.250, home occupations 17.50.110, short-term rentals 17.50.296)
A person may have only one primary residence and must reside there for a minimum of 9 months per year.
- Sec. 17.50.296.D, Zoning Code Chapter 17.50 - Standards for Specific Land Uses (ADUs 17.50.275, accessory structures 17.50.250, home occupations 17.50.110, short-term rentals 17.50.296)
Vacation rentals, as defined in this section, are a prohibited use and shall not be operated in the city.
- Sec. 17.50.296.E, Zoning Code Chapter 17.50 - Standards for Specific Land Uses (ADUs 17.50.275, accessory structures 17.50.250, home occupations 17.50.110, short-term rentals 17.50.296)
The host is required to obtain a short-term rental permit from the city, pursuant to the provisions of this section, before renting any primary residence to a transient occupant/guest.
- Sec. 17.50.296.E.2.a, Zoning Code Chapter 17.50 - Standards for Specific Land Uses (ADUs 17.50.275, accessory structures 17.50.250, home occupations 17.50.110, short-term rentals 17.50.296)
The host shall obtain a transient occupancy registration certificate from the finance department.
- Sec. 17.50.296.E.3, Zoning Code Chapter 17.50 - Standards for Specific Land Uses (ADUs 17.50.275, accessory structures 17.50.250, home occupations 17.50.110, short-term rentals 17.50.296)
A short-term rental permit is valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance. It may not be transferred, does not run with the land, and is valid only at the original short-term rental site.
- Sec. 17.50.296.F.4, Zoning Code Chapter 17.50 - Standards for Specific Land Uses (ADUs 17.50.275, accessory structures 17.50.250, home occupations 17.50.110, short-term rentals 17.50.296)
Un-hosted stays shall be limited to a maximum of 90 days per year. There shall be no limit for hosted stays.
- Sec. 17.50.296.F.5, Zoning Code Chapter 17.50 - Standards for Specific Land Uses (ADUs 17.50.275, accessory structures 17.50.250, home occupations 17.50.110, short-term rentals 17.50.296)
Short-term rentals shall not be used by more than 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests at one time.
- Sec. 17.50.296.E.2.c, Zoning Code Chapter 17.50 - Standards for Specific Land Uses (ADUs 17.50.275, accessory structures 17.50.250, home occupations 17.50.110, short-term rentals 17.50.296)
An accessory dwelling unit or accessory structure permitted after January 1, 2017 shall not be used for short-term rental.
- Sec. 17.50.296.F.7, Zoning Code Chapter 17.50 - Standards for Specific Land Uses (ADUs 17.50.275, accessory structures 17.50.250, home occupations 17.50.110, short-term rentals 17.50.296)
Parking for the short-term rental use shall be provided on-site.
- Sec. 17.50.296.F.3, Zoning Code Chapter 17.50 - Standards for Specific Land Uses (ADUs 17.50.275, accessory structures 17.50.250, home occupations 17.50.110, short-term rentals 17.50.296)
No person shall advertise any short-term rental without a city issued short-term rental permit number depicted in a visible location on the advertisement, including any listing on a hosting platform.