What are Short Term Rentals

Short Term Rentals are defined as the rental of any residence, or portion thereof within a legally permitted residential structure which is occupied or intended or designed for occupancy, for a period of 30 consecutive calendar days or less.  Short term rentals are permitted in the vast majority of the City, including the Coastal Zone:

• In commercial zones, short term rentals are permitted in residences with or without a host living onsite. 

• In residential zones, short term rentals are permitted in residences solely as a home share with a host living onsite.

Home sharing means an activity whereby a host provides lodging for guests in their residence while the host lives on site, as an incidental use of the residence, for the duration of each rental period.  A host is defined as the property owner or person engaged in home sharing.  

About the Short Term Rental Ordinance

In 2019, the City Council adopted the Short Term Rental Ordinance (O-3861).  The Ordinance defines what types of short term rentals are permitted and establishes a registration process.  To ensure compliance with regulations, a series of fines are instituted.  In 2020, the California Coastal Commission approved local regulation of short term rentals in the Coastal Zone (CDP 5-20-0031), and in May 2021 the City Council adopted amendments to the Short Term Rental Ordinance (O-3890).  Regulations for short term rentals are listed under Torrance Municipal Code Section 92.43.

Short Term Rental Permit

A short term rental permit is required to operate a short term rental.  Permit applications are accepted at the Permit Center, open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Thursday, and open alternate Fridays.  The Permit Center is located at Torrance City Hall, 3031 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA  90503.  

• Short Term Rental Permit Application

For questions regarding the permit application, please contact the Planning Division at (310) 618-5990.

Business License and Uniform Occupancy Tax

A business license is required to operate a short term rental.  For information on how to obtain a business license, please contact the Business License Division at (310) 618-5828.

The short term rental operator is required to remit Uniform Occupancy Tax.  For information on how to remit the Uniform Occupancy Tax, please contact the Revenue Division at (310) 618-5830.

How to File a Complaint

For complaints concerning a short term rental, please contact the Environmental Division at (310) 618-5929.

Pursuant to Torrance Municipal Code Section 92.43.090 it is unlawful and declared a public nuisance for any person to operate, maintain, allow another person to operate or maintain, or fail to cease operation of an unpermitted short term rental.  Any person in violation will be subject to civil action and/or criminal prosecution.  Each day in which a violation is committed will constitute a new and separate offense. In addition, the operation or maintenance of an unpermitted short term rental may be abated or summarily abated by the City in any manner by this Code or otherwise by law for the abatement of public nuisances.  Pursuant to the Government Code Section 38773 all expenses incurred by the City in connection with any action to abate a public nuisance will be chargeable to the persons creating, causing, committing, or maintaining the public nuisance.