Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Santa Monica rental licensing and our services.
Do I really need a business license if I just rent out one condo?
Yes. Santa Monica requires any person or business renting, leasing, or subleasing residential space to obtain a business license, even for a single house or condo. This is separate from the new Rent Registry requirement.
What happens if I don't register my unit under the new Rent Registry?
Starting January 1, 2027, owners who have not registered will not be entitled to collect rent, tenants may use non-registration as a defense in eviction actions, and the city can impose civil penalties of $200 per unit per month. We help you register well before this deadline.
Are my leases required to be for a full year and unfurnished?
For most standard residential rentals covered by Chapter 6.22, yes: the initial lease term must be at least one year, the unit must be leased unfurnished, and the tenant must use the unit as their primary residence. There are specific exemptions for owner-occupied situations and certain other cases.
Is short-term, unhosted Airbnb legal in Santa Monica?
No. Santa Monica prohibits unhosted short-term vacation rentals. Only true home-sharing (host lives on-site, guests rent bedrooms for 30 days or less) is allowed and must be licensed and registered under the Home-Sharing Ordinance (SMMC 6.20).
Is there a regular city inspection tied to my business license?
Santa Monica does not currently have a citywide, routine "rental license inspection" program. However, your property is subject to state and local habitability laws, and you may face complaint-based inspections by LA County Environmental Health or city code enforcement. Best practice is to self-inspect using habitability standards.
How do Santa Monica Rent Control and the new Rent Registry interact?
If your building is rent-controlled, you already must register units and tenancies with the Rent Control Board. The new Rent Registry expands registration requirements to all rentals (including market-rate), not just rent-controlled ones, and adds enforcement tools starting January 1, 2027.
What are the core "to-dos" for a Santa Monica landlord between now and 2027?
1) Hold a valid business license for every rental property, 2) Ensure leases comply with SMMC 6.22 (1-year term, unfurnished, primary residence), 3) Register rent-controlled units with Rent Control Board, 4) Register all rentals with the new Rent Registry before January 1, 2027, and 5) Keep units inspection-ready by meeting state habitability standards.
Can you help if I already started my business license application?
Yes! We can step in after an application has been started to help organize documents, ensure compliance with SMMC 6.22, complete Rent Registry registration, and handle any follow-up questions from the city.
Still have questions?
Contact us or start your order to begin the rental licensing process.