Newport Beach, CA

When deciding whether to become an Airbnb host, it is important for you to understand the laws in the City of Newport Beach. As a platform and marketplace, we do not provide legal advice, but we want to give you some useful links and information that may help you get familiar with the new rules. If you have more questions after reviewing these resources, we recommend visiting Newport Beach’s website, contacting Newport Beach’s licensing agencies directly, and/or consulting a local lawyer or tax professional.

Registration requirements

Anyone who hosts short-term stays (fewer than 30 consecutive calendar days) in Newport Beach is required to register their short-term rental with the city.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Start the registration process on the City’s website. You can use this link to determine your eligibility. If one or more of your properties is not eligible as a short-term rental, you can switch to long-term stays (31 or more consecutive nights).

Long term stays, hotels and motels are exempt from registering as short-term rentals. If your listing is exempt, you don’t need to register, but you will still need to claim an exemption through Airbnb to keep hosting.

Step 2: Get a short-term rental license

If you are eligible, apply for a short-term rental license on the City’s website. The process is easy, simply fill out and send in the Business License Tax Application and the Short Term Lodging Application. Short-term rental registration costs $104 for the short term lodging permit and $179 for the business license plus a $4 state fee. Send your application and payment here:

City of Newport Beach
Attention: Ellen Brenan
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660

After the city processes your application, you’ll receive your Short Term Lodging permit. This process could take a few days.

Step 3: Add your permit number to your listing

Next, you’ll need to add your permit number to your Airbnb listing to your listing to finalize your registration with the City.

If you need additional help, contact the Revenue Division by email at lodging@newportbeachca.gov, or by phone at (949) 718-1997.

Other contracts and rules

As a host, you need to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, including leases, co-op rules, HOA rules, or other rules established by tenant organizations. You should be able to find out more by contacting your housing authority (such as a community council) or landlord. Your lease (or other contract) might also have specific details.

Our commitment to your community

We are committed to working with local officials to clarify how local rules impact the short-term rental community. We will continue to advocate for changes that will enable people to rent out their homes.