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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


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