Thinking about listing your West Hollywood place for short stays and not sure what’s actually legal? You’re not alone. The rules in WeHo are specific, and getting them wrong can lead to fines, tax issues, and pulled listings. This guide breaks down what you can and cannot do, how taxes work, and the steps to stay compliant. Let’s dive in.
What’s legal in West Hollywood
Home sharing vs. vacation rentals
West Hollywood prohibits most “vacation rentals” under 31 days when the host is not present. In plain terms, you cannot rent out an entire place as a short stay if you are not living there during the visit.
“Home sharing” is the exception. If the home is your primary residence and you host guests while you live there, you can do short stays once you register and obtain the required Home Sharing Business License.
The primary residence rule
To qualify for home sharing, the property must be your primary residence. Expect to show proof such as a driver’s license, voter registration, or utility bills. Investment properties and second homes do not meet this standard under West Hollywood’s program.
What’s not allowed
- Unhosted stays under 31 days where you are not present.
- Listing or accepting guests before you have your Home Sharing Business License.
- Operating in a building where the HOA, condo rules, or your lease prohibits short-term hosting.
Taxes: how TOT works in WeHo
West Hollywood requires hosts in the home sharing program to collect and remit Transient Occupancy Tax, known as TOT. The current TOT rate is 12.5 percent on qualifying short stays. This tax is separate from your federal and state income taxes on rental income.
You are responsible for collecting the tax from guests and remitting it to the City on the schedule the City sets. Keep clear records of every booking, the tax you collected, and your remittances.
Registration and operating basics
Get licensed before you list
Apply for the City’s Home Sharing Business License before you publish or accept any short-term bookings. The application will ask for proof that you are the primary resident and for the property address. Plan for processing time before your listing goes live.
Show your license number
Once licensed, include your license or registration number in your online listings and any advertising the City considers covered. Follow the City’s formatting instructions so platforms and inspectors can verify your status quickly.
Safety, neighbors, and house rules
West Hollywood’s program expects basic safety and neighborhood standards. Maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, post clear house rules, respect quiet hours, manage trash days, and set guest limits that align with the City’s occupancy guidance. Provide a local contact who can respond to issues promptly.
Enforcement and penalties
The City actively enforces its short-term rental rules. Tools include audits, administrative citations, civil fines, tax assessments, and license suspension or revocation for violations. Repeated or serious violations can lead to escalated penalties. Neighbor complaints are a common trigger for investigations, and platforms may remove listings that do not show a valid registration.
Your step-by-step compliance checklist
- Confirm the home is your primary residence and eligible for home sharing.
- Apply for and obtain the Home Sharing Business License before listing.
- Add your license or registration number to every listing and ad.
- Collect the 12.5 percent TOT on qualifying stays and remit it on time.
- Keep records: guest logs, receipts, TOT returns, and proof of primary residency.
- Follow occupancy, parking, noise, trash, and safety rules.
- Check HOA bylaws, condo rules, lease terms, and lender requirements.
- Assign a reliable local contact and respond quickly to neighbor concerns.
Long-term stays and alternatives
Stays of 31 days or longer are generally treated as traditional residential tenancies and not subject to the short-term vacation rental rules. If you prefer predictable income without short-term compliance, consider furnished or unfurnished leases with 31-plus day terms. Make sure you follow landlord-tenant laws and any local rental registrations that apply to longer leases.
Special notes for condos, HOAs, and leases
Even if the City allows home sharing at your address, your building or lease may not. Many associations and landlords restrict or prohibit short-term hosting. Review your governing documents and get written approvals if required before you apply for a license or accept bookings.
If you host across Central LA
Rules vary city by city across Los Angeles County. This guide focuses on West Hollywood. If your property sits just outside WeHo, confirm the local ordinance in that specific city before you list.
How we support luxury owners
If you own a Westside or WeHo property and want to evaluate short-term versus long-term strategies, we can help you weigh revenue potential against compliance requirements. Our advisory includes leasing strategy, property management referrals, and market positioning for high-end rentals. If you decide hosting is not the right fit, we can also guide you on valuation, discrete listing, or acquisition of a property better suited to your goals.
Ready for tailored guidance on your address and objectives? Reach out to Michelle Adams Realty for a discreet consult.
FAQs
What is the difference between home sharing and a vacation rental in West Hollywood?
- Vacation rentals are unhosted stays under 31 days and are broadly prohibited; home sharing allows short stays only when the host lives in the home as a primary residence and holds a City Home Sharing Business License.
Are 31-day or longer stays allowed in West Hollywood?
- Yes, leases of 31 days or more are generally treated as standard residential tenancies and fall outside the short-term rental rules, though other landlord-tenant requirements still apply.
How do I prove the property is my primary residence for WeHo home sharing?
- Expect to provide documents such as a driver’s license, voter registration, or utility bills showing the address; the City specifies which documents are acceptable and may require more than one.
Do I need to collect tax from guests for WeHo home sharing?
- Yes, you must collect West Hollywood’s Transient Occupancy Tax at 12.5 percent on qualifying short stays and remit it to the City; keep accurate records of all collections and filings.
What happens if I host illegally or skip the tax in West Hollywood?
- The City can issue administrative citations, assess back taxes and penalties, and suspend or revoke any license you hold; platforms may also remove noncompliant listings.
How can I report a potentially illegal short-term rental in West Hollywood?
- The City maintains a complaint and inspection process through its code compliance and business licensing offices; provide the address, listing details, and any relevant information when you file a complaint.
