Short-term rentals in Beverly Hills are banned in every residential zone, with no exceptions for owner-occupied homes, guesthouses, or accessory dwelling units. Renting any residential property for fewer than 30 consecutive days violates the municipal code and can trigger fines of up to $5,000 per day. If you want to rent out a home or apartment legally, the initial lease has to run at least 12 months, and you need a city business tax certificate before you collect a dollar of rent.
What the Ban Covers
Under BHMC 10-3-508, renting a home or apartment for fewer than 30 consecutive days is illegal throughout Beverly Hills, regardless of property size, neighborhood, or whether the owner lives on-site.1City of Beverly Hills. Short-Term Rentals The ban reaches entire homes, individual rooms, guesthouses, and ADUs. It applies to single-family and multi-family property alike.
Listing counts as a violation on its own. Putting a Beverly Hills property on Airbnb, Vrbo, or any similar platform for stays under 30 days violates the code even if no one actually books it.2Beverly Hills. Frequently Asked Questions – Short-Term Rentals You do not need a guest in the house to be out of compliance. An active listing is enough.
How the City Finds Violators and What It Costs
Beverly Hills actively monitors online booking platforms for non-compliant listings. Code enforcement does not wait on neighbor complaints. If your property shows up with nightly or weekly availability, expect a citation whether or not anyone has stayed there.
The city imposes administrative fines of up to $5,000 per day for renting or advertising a short-term rental in violation of the municipal code.2Beverly Hills. Frequently Asked Questions – Short-Term Rentals Each day the listing stays live or the unit stays occupied is a separate violation. A two-week illegal rental can generate tens of thousands in penalties before an owner ever sees a hearing.
Because the fines are administrative, the city does not have to file a criminal case to impose them. Owners can request an administrative hearing, but the burden is on the owner to show compliance. Ignoring citations does not make them go away. Unpaid fines can become liens on the property.
The 12-Month Minimum Lease Rule
Even a lease longer than 30 days is not automatically legal. Beverly Hills requires an initial lease period of at least 12 months for all single-family and multi-family units. After that first year, the landlord and tenant may continue on a month-to-month basis.1City of Beverly Hills. Short-Term Rentals A two-month or six-month initial lease is not a workaround; it is a violation.
This catches owners who think a furnished “corporate stay” of three or six months sits in a gray area. It does not. Beverly Hills treats an initial lease under 12 months the same way it treats a weekend Airbnb listing. The lease is the primary evidence of compliance, so every agreement should state the 12-month term clearly, along with move-in and move-out dates and the names of all occupants.
Business Tax Certificate
Any owner collecting rental income in Beverly Hills must obtain a Business Tax Certificate from the city’s Finance Department. BHMC 3-1-201 requires every person engaged in business within the city to register and pay the applicable business tax, and rental property ownership counts as a business activity under this code, even for a single unit.3American Legal Publishing. Beverly Hills Code 3-1-201 – Registration Required; Imposition of Tax
The application is available through the City of Beverly Hills website. You will need the legal name of the property owner, a mailing address, and contact information for whoever manages the property. If the property sits in an LLC or trust, expect to provide organizational documents showing who has authority to act for the entity. The tax amount is based on gross receipts. The city does not publish the rate schedule online in a way that makes it easy to preview, so contact the Finance Department directly to confirm the current rate before filing.4City of Beverly Hills. Business Tax All taxes, penalties, and interest owed must be paid before the city will issue the certificate.3American Legal Publishing. Beverly Hills Code 3-1-201 – Registration Required; Imposition of Tax
Operating without the certificate puts you out of compliance from the first day of rent collection, regardless of how long the lease runs.
Rent Stabilization on Multi-Family Buildings
Beverly Hills has a Rent Stabilization Ordinance that applies to many multi-family rental units. It limits how much landlords can raise rents and provides eviction protections for tenants. Properties exempted include hotels, motels, inns, and rooming houses rented for 30 consecutive days or fewer.5City of Beverly Hills. Rent Stabilization Ordinance Since short-term residential rentals are already illegal, this exemption effectively covers only licensed commercial lodging.
If you own a multi-family building and rent units on 12-month leases, check whether the ordinance applies. Covered landlords must follow the city’s rules on annual rent increases, give proper notice before raising rent, and follow specific procedures before ending a tenancy.
Fair Housing and Federal Tax Reporting
Every Beverly Hills landlord must comply with the federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. The law reaches advertising, tenant screening, lease terms, and the rest of the rental relationship. Even landlords who qualify for the owner-occupied exemption on buildings with four or fewer units cannot publish advertisements that express a discriminatory preference.6U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Fair Housing Equal Opportunity for All California’s own fair housing laws may require broader accommodations than federal law in some areas, including assistance animals, so review both before denying any accommodation request.
Rental income on a Beverly Hills property is taxable and must be reported on your federal return. IRS Publication 527 covers the reporting rules for residential rental income and expenses, including which costs you can deduct.7Internal Revenue Service. About Publication 527, Residential Rental Property Common deductions include mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, repairs, and property management fees. Residential buildings are depreciated over 27.5 years on the straight-line method, with land excluded, so allocate your purchase price between the structure and the land when you set up the schedule.
The Bottom Line for Owners
You cannot legally offer any rental in Beverly Hills for fewer than 12 months on an initial lease. The city enforces that rule aggressively, monitors booking platforms, and imposes daily fines that add up quickly. If you want to rent your property, commit to a long-term tenant, register for a business tax certificate, draft a lease that meets the 12-month minimum, and make sure your screening and lease terms comply with fair housing law. Skipping any one of these creates legal exposure that outruns whatever rental income you hoped to earn.