Is Airbnb Legal in Pasadena? 2026 Rules, Permits & Taxes

Permit required

Yes

Taxes on a stay

17%

Yearly night cap

90 nights

Fine for hosting without a permit

$1,000

Active Airbnb listings

663

Latest rule change

Jun 8, 2026

The rules in brief

Who needs it

Anyone who rents a home, or part of it, to guests for up to 30 consecutive days. The home must be the host's primary residence.^{1,5,6,7,10,15}

Issued by

City of Pasadena Planning & Community Development Department

Valid for

One year from the date of issuance. The permit is not transferable and is valid only at the original address; renewal needs the renewal fee, substantial compliance over the past year and the past year's rental records.

Processing

1 to 3 weeks after the online application is submitted.

On listings

The number must appear on every listing

Platform checks

The city requires the permit number in a visible place on every listing, including listings on hosting platforms. Airbnb's Pasadena help page tells hosts to enter the number in the listing's license or registration number field.

Fees

Who qualifies

• Primary residence where the host lives at least 9 months a year, shown with at least two documents in the host's name, such as a vehicle registration, a utility or cell phone bill from the last 3 months, or a driver's license or ID with the address
• One home-sharing property per person or company, which is the host's primary residence
• Single-family homes, duplexes, condominiums, townhomes and multi-family rental units, except covenant-restricted (affordable) and Section 8 units
• Tenants must inform the landlord and certify the landlord's approval in the notarized affidavit
• Accessory dwelling units permitted on or after January 1, 2017 are not eligible
• A signed property inspection self-certification or a third-party inspection; accessory structures may need a city inspection
• A Neighborhood Notice delivered to abutting and across-the-street neighbors and the HOA; HOA and CC&R rules still apply

How to apply

1. 1 Download the supplemental forms from the city's short-term rental page and complete them: the notarized affidavit, the property inspection self-certification and the Neighborhood Notice.
2. 2 Deliver the Neighborhood Notice to abutting neighbors, the properties across the street and the HOA, and keep the list of addresses.
3. 3 Gather proof of primary residency (two documents) and at least three photographs of the interior, front entrance and exterior.
4. 4 Create an account on the city's Short-Term Rental Permit and Tax Portal, upload the documents and pay the $123 fee plus the 3% records fee and processing fee.
5. 5 Receive the permit number by email on approval, put it on every listing, and file the quarterly report and tax payment.

Permit rules

Permit required before renting

A host needs a city Short-Term Rental Permit before renting out a primary residence or a room in it, and renews the permit every year.⁵ In force since February 2018

Type 1 hosted and Type 2 unhosted permits

A Type 1 permit covers stays while the host is on site, such as a rented bedroom. A Type 2 permit covers stays while the host is away, such as a home rented during a trip.⁵ In force since February 2018

Permit number on every listing

The city permit number must appear in a visible place on every listing or advertisement, including listings on Airbnb and other platforms. A listing without a permit is a violation.^1,6 In force since February 2018

Airbnb collects the hotel tax and tourism assessment

Since April 1, 2026 Airbnb and VRBO automatically collect and remit both the transient occupancy tax and the tourism assessment on Pasadena bookings.^5,11 Applies to: Bookings made on Airbnb and VRBO · In force since April 1, 2026

One-year permit, not transferable

A permit lasts one year from the date of issue, covers only the original address and cannot be transferred. A renewal needs the renewal fee, substantial compliance during the past year and the year's rental records.¹ In force since February 2018

Advertised price must include mandatory fees

Since July 1, 2024, California's Honest Pricing Law (SB 478) bars a host or platform from advertising a short-term rental price that leaves out mandatory fees; government taxes and fees may be listed separately.¹² In force since July 1, 2024

Primary residence only

The permit goes only to the person who lives in the home at least nine months of each calendar year, shown with proof of primary residency.⁵ In force since February 2018

Second homes and vacation rentals are prohibited

Vacation rentals are not permitted anywhere in Pasadena, and a person or company may have only one home-sharing property in the city, which is their primary residence.^5,6 In force since February 2018

Home types that qualify

Single-family homes, duplexes, condominiums, townhomes and multi-family rental units qualify; covenant-restricted (affordable) and Section 8 units do not.¹ In force since February 2018

Accessory dwelling units built after 2016 are excluded

An accessory dwelling unit permitted on or after January 1, 2017 cannot be rented to guests. An older unit or accessory structure can be rented along with the main home.⁶ In force since February 2018

Tenants need the landlord's approval

A tenant who wants to host must tell the landlord and certify in the notarized affidavit that the landlord approved short-term rental.⁶ Applies to: Tenants · In force since February 2018

HOA and CC&R rules still apply

The city permit does not override a homeowners association or CC&R ban on short-term rentals.⁶ Applies to: Condominiums and HOA communities · In force since February 2018

Unhosted stays: 90 days a year; hosted stays: no limit

Guest stays while the host is away are limited to 90 days per calendar year. Hosted stays have no limit.^1,6 Applies to: Type 2 (unhosted) permits · In force since February 2018

2 guests per bedroom plus 2

A short-term rental may hold at most 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests at one time.⁶ In force since February 2018

No commercial events or parties

Weddings, banquets, corporate events and other commercial parties or group gatherings are not allowed, and a home may not be rented only for that purpose.⁶ In force since February 2018

Notify neighbors before applying

The host mails or delivers a Neighborhood Notice to abutting properties, the properties directly and diagonally across the street, and the HOA if there is one, and submits a copy with the application.⁶ In force since February 2018

24-hour local contact for unhosted stays

A host who is away during guest stays must keep a local contact person or property management company available 24 hours a day.⁶ Applies to: Type 2 (unhosted) permits · In force since February 2018

Guest parking on site; no advertising signs

Guests must use off-street parking, and no sign advertising the rental or vacancies may be posted.⁶ In force since February 2018

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguisher

The host provides and maintains fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and posted information on emergency exit routes and emergency contacts.¹ In force since February 2018

Inspection or self-certification before the permit

Before the permit is issued the host submits a third-party inspection or a signed self-certification that the space meets life and safety standards; an accessory structure may need a city inspection.⁶ In force since February 2018

Quarterly report even when Airbnb remits the tax

Every host files a quarterly report through the city's online portal, including quarters with no stays; hosts who skip reports are not renewed.⁵

Keep booking records for three years

The host keeps records of each stay, its length and the price paid for three years, and gives the past year's records to the city when renewing.¹ In force since February 2018

Stays of up to 30 consecutive days are covered

The rules and the hotel tax apply to rentals of up to 30 consecutive days.⁵ In force since February 2018

No separate business license

The city does not require a business license for a short-term rental; the host holds the permit and files the quarterly tax report.⁵

Median nightly rate, booked nights

$215

Taxes on that night (17%)

$37

Guest pays, before Airbnb and cleaning fees

$252

What the host still handles

• A quarterly report through the city's Short-Term Rental portal for every quarter, even with no stays and even when Airbnb remits all the tax (due April 20, July 20, October 20 and January 20)
• Direct payment of the hotel tax and tourism assessment for bookings made on platforms that do not collect them, or taken directly
• A Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate from the Finance Department, which the zoning code lists as a condition of permit approval
• No separate business license is required^5,8,11,14

• Pasadena has no separate fine schedule for short-term rentals. Its general administrative citation schedule, which covers any municipal code violation, runs $100 per violation per day for a first citation, $200 for a second, $500 for a third and $1,000 for a fourth, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense. The short-term rental section makes its violations subject to administrative penalties and costs under the city's compliance-order rules, which charge the amounts in the citation schedule set by city council resolution.^1,4,9
• Three violations against the same property used for short-term rental lead to revocation of the permit. Listing without a permit, or without the permit number in the listing, is itself a violation.⁶
• A host whose permit is revoked must wait at least one year before applying for a short-term rental permit again.¹
• A violation of the city code can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor, as an infraction or as a civil administrative action, at the discretion of the city attorney or city prosecutor.³
• A late hotel tax or tourism assessment payment, or a late quarterly report, accrues penalties and interest from the 21st day after the quarter ends.⁵

1. June 8, 2026
   Permit fee set at $123

   The fiscal year 2027 fee schedule lists the Short Term Rental Permit at $123, up from $120.⁷

2. April 1, 2026
   Airbnb collects the hotel tax and the tourism assessment

   Airbnb and VRBO automatically collect and remit both charges on Pasadena bookings from April 1, 2026. Hosts still file a quarterly report.^5,11

3. March 9, 2026 Not in force
   Airbnb tourism assessment collection put to the City Council

   The City Manager asked the City Council to authorize an amendment to the city's agreement with Airbnb so Airbnb collects the tourism assessment as well as the hotel tax.¹¹

4. June 2, 2025
   Code violations can be prosecuted several ways

   Ordinance No. 7447 confirmed that any city code violation may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor, an infraction or a civil administrative action.³

5. April 1, 2025
   VRBO starts collecting both charges

   VRBO began collecting and remitting the hotel tax and the tourism assessment on April 1, 2025.⁵

6. October 2024
   City Council approves VRBO tax collection

   In October 2024 the City Council approved a voluntary collection agreement under which VRBO collects and remits both the hotel tax and the tourism assessment.¹¹

7. July 1, 2024
   Tourism assessment rises to 4.89%

   The assessment rate is 4.89% from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2033.⁵

8. July 1, 2023
   Tourism assessment extends to short-term rentals

   After the Pasadena Tourism Business Improvement District was renewed for ten years, short-term rentals became subject to its assessment from July 1, 2023, at 3.89% in the first year.^5,11

9. March 12, 2018
   Hotel tax applies to all short-term rental bookings

   The transient occupancy tax applies to all short-term rental bookings beginning March 12, 2018.⁵

10. January 8, 2018
    Short-term rental ordinance adopted

    The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 7317, adding section 17.50.296 to the zoning code to permit hosted and unhosted short-term rentals in a primary residence with a city permit. It took effect 30 days after publication on January 11, 2018.¹

Estimate what a Pasadena home could earn

1. 1. Ordinance No. 7317 (adds Pasadena Municipal Code section 17.50.296, Short-Term Rentals) · City of Pasadena
2. 2. California Revenue and Taxation Code section 7280 - Occupancy taxes · California Legislative Information
3. 3. Ordinance No. 7447 (enforcement of city ordinances, Pasadena Municipal Code sections 1.24.010, 1.25.010, 1.26.010) · City of Pasadena
4. 4. Pasadena Municipal Code Title 1, Chapters 1.25 (Administrative Penalties - Compliance Orders) and 1.26 (Administrative Penalties - Citations) · City of Pasadena (Municode Library)
5. 5. Short-Term Rental Regulations · City of Pasadena Planning & Community Development Department
6. 6. Supplemental Forms for Short-Term Rental Permit (revised August 2025) · City of Pasadena Permit Center
7. 7. Fiscal Year 2027 General Fee Schedule · City of Pasadena Finance Department
8. 8. Fiscal Year 2027 Schedule of Taxes, Fees, and Charges · City of Pasadena Finance Department
9. 9. Zoning and Property Maintenance: Fees and Fines · City of Pasadena Code Compliance Division
10. 10. Short-Term Rental Permit and Tax Portal User Guide · City of Pasadena Planning & Community Development Department
11. 11. Agenda Report, March 9, 2026: Amend the Voluntary Collection Agreement with Airbnb to include the Tourism Business Improvement District assessment · City of Pasadena Office of the City Manager
12. 12. SB 478 - Hidden Fees (Honest Pricing Law) · California Attorney General
13. 13. Short-Term Rental Ordinance/Title 22 Project Summary · Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning
14. 14. Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in California · Airbnb Help Center
15. 15. Pasadena, CA · Airbnb Help Center