Skip to main content

Question of the Month: What is the Home-Sharing Program?

In December 2018, the City Council adopted the Home-Sharing Ordinance (CF 14-1635-S2), establishing a regulatory framework to restrict short-term rentals to one's primary residence, in order to prevent the wholesale conversation of homes into rental properties. The Home-Sharing Program requires hosts wishing to engage in short-term rentals to register with the City and post their registration number on all advertisements. Hosts are also required to adhere to all requirements and must use the online portal to register.


Registering for the Home-Sharing Program
There are several steps and a few requirements to establish a secure and legal home-sharing stay service. The application can be found and submitted on the city website under the “Development Services” tab on the left side of the website which has been live since July 1, 2019. Home-sharing users will have four months, until November 1, 2019, to which the City will then begin enforcement of this Ordinance (185931). 


5 Key Steps to Participate in the Home-Sharing Program


 1. Verify eligibility criteria
2. For renters and lessees, obtain a notarized affidavit signed by the property owner/landlord authorizing the Host's participation in Home-Sharing
3. Gather relevant documents to demonstrate primary residency
4. Complete online registration
5. Post Home-Sharing Registration Number on all listings

Eligibility Requirements
There are two types of home-sharing registrations available to qualifying hosts. Standard Home-Sharing (allows up to 120 days per year) and Extended Home-Sharing (allows more than 120 days per year). Eligibility serves as a basis for both types of registrations which are the following: 

1. The apartment or home is his or her primary residence
2. The residence must not be subject to the City's Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO)
3. Home-Sharing will only occur in structure built for residential use
4. The primary residence or property cannot have a pending citation, order, ticket, or similar notice of violation
5. Anyone renting will have to obtain written approval from their landlord
6. Hosts will need to register to pay the Transient Occupancy Tax
7. Hosts must be in possession of a valid Home-Sharing registration number and post that number in all listings. 

In order to apply, you must make sure you have the following documents on-hand:

 1. A valid federal or state-issued photo ID
2. Two documentations of the primary residence
3. Landlord approval: If the host is a renter or lessee, a signed and notarized Affidavit (available here) that approves the host's participation in home-sharing for that unit.

In addition, there are several rules and responsibilities that hosts must adhere to:

1. Hosts must only post listings on hosting platforms that are specified in the home-sharing application
2. Hosts must not book more than one set of guests at a given time
3. Hosts must not engage in any commercial uses for purposes of a party or an event
4. Hosts must ensure that basic health and safety features are provided, including fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors
5. Hosts must not permit late night outdoor parties
6. Hosts must adhere to occupancy limits, which allow for a maximum of two persons (excluding children) per habitable room
7. Hosts must provide a Code of Conduct (available here) to all guests
For additional information, please contact:

Home-Sharing Unit
Department of City Planning - Development Services Center
201 N. Figueroa Street, 5th FloorLos Angeles, CA 90012(213) 202-5464
24/7 Complaint Hotline: (213) 267-7788
planning.home-sharing@lacity.org


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Young, Black and Planning

Based on recent data , African-Americans only represent 7.9% of those in the planning profession. In 2017, TheRoot.com published an article titled, “Urban Planning Can’t Happen Without Black People in the Room—Yet It Does,” reflecting on the importance of having multiple voices when planning and designing a city.  In the City of Los Angeles, we see diversity throughout the City and in those who are helping plan the future of Los Angeles. In 2018, 16% of new hires and 12% of all promotions within the Department of City Planning were of African-Americans, representing 12% of the entire Department.  Below, the Department of City Planning’s African-American City Planning Assistants and Associates share their advice for those interested in entering the profession. Scroll below to get their insights, and get inspired to plan!   Kyle Winston "I grew up in South Central LA. I watched my neighborhood burn during the LA riots and then sit untouched for years won...
5 comments
Read more

City Planning Partners with Council Districts at Metro DSC!

On Wednesday May 14, City Planning staff at the Metro Development Services Center, or DSC, opened its doors to Council District Planning Directors and Deputies. The behind-the-scenes tour allowed Planners and Council staff to create better partnerships and strengthen communication! City Planning works more effectively and efficiently if community members know the ins and outs of project planning and processing. And no one knows each district of Los Angeles better than their Council District Planning Directors and Deputies. Their input is vital to us staying informed and well versed in working on our shared vision. As they work on the front lines each day with Angelenos, District Planning Directors feel the pulse of Los Angeles. At the same time, planners at our Metro DSC are getting that same first hand feedback from customers. Naturally, the Department felt it critical to allow Council staff to witness a day in the life of a planner at the counter. Some of our serv...
Read more

Planning for the Environment | Fires and Mudslides and Rain, Oh My!

Imagine being woken up at 2:00AM to find your house, all of your possessions and precious memories being engulfed by flames. For many Southern California residents, this nightmare became an all too real, frightening reality on November 8 – when the Woolsey Fire gained speed and began destroying everything in its path.   Now, nearly three weeks later, the fire is finally 100% contained but has destroyed approximately 1,500 structures and priceless memories for those in its path. This isn’t the first massive fire we’ve seen in California. You may even wonder why our region particularly vulnerable to wildfires? Or, what role does planning serve to improve our resiliency to wildfire events? In short, we can address these challenges through Climate Adaptation Planning. Wildfire Risk in Southern California To understand these recent devastating wildfires, let’s first consider our local environment. Wildfires are uncontrolled fires on undeveloped land and ...
1 comment
Read more