Short-Term Rental Program

On September 29, 2020, the City Council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 468 (Enforcement Ordinance), which created a new STR permit system to regulate the short-term rental of residential property and went into effect January 15, 2021.

As of January 15, 2021, advertising or operating residential property as a short-term rental (STR) without a permit is considered a violation of Ordinance No. 468 and Malibu Municipal Code Chapter 17.55. The short-term rental of property or the advertisement, offer, or facilitation of such rental without a valid short-term rental permit shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day or violation, or twice the advertised short-term rental’s daily rental rate per day or violation, whichever is higher.

Notice of STR Permit Limitations beginning in 2022

Hosted Short-Term Rental Ordinance

SUMMARY - On November 23, 2020, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 472, the Hosted STR Ordinance, to establish provisions to regulate short-term rental of property citywide which include, but are not limited to, requiring the presence of an onsite host during short-term rentals, primary residency requirements and multifamily restrictions. The Hosted STR Ordinance is intended to supersede the short-term rental regulations and permit program currently in place. The Hosted STR Ordinance regulations cannot go into effect until the associated amendments to the City’s Local Coastal Program and Land Use Plan are certified by the California Coastal Commission (CCC). For more information regarding the Ordinance in progress, visit the Hosted Ordinance webpage.

Onsite Wastewater Treatment System operating permit 

As of January 1, 2023, in order obtain a STR permit property owners will need to either: (1) have obtained a valid Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) operating permit for the property that is to be rented as a STR pursuant to Chapter 15.44 or (2) have entered a compliance agreement with the City excusing such compliance, and be in full compliance with the compliance agreement and not in default or breach. If your property is not in compliance by January 1, 2023, your STR permit will become invalid. Permit holders are encouraged to submit documentation of their valid operating permit or compliance agreement by December 1, 2022. Obtaining either of these requirements can take six-plus months or longer. If you do not have a OWTS permit for the property where the STR is located and wish to continue to rent the property as a STR after January 1, 2023, contact City staff now so you can begin the process.

Short-Term Rental Permit APPlication and Permit renewal process

There are two ways to apply for a Short-Term Rental Permit or renew an existing permit. Applicants can either apply online or mail in their application. Both processes are described below.

Online Application Submittal

The City offers an online application hosted by its STR administration consultant, Host Compliance. As part of the online application, property owners will need to:

• Provide proof of ownership by uploading a copy of their Grant Deed, and operating agreement if applicable, into the online application
• Print, sign, and initial the attestation page and upload it into the online application
• Mail the original signed and initialed attestation page to: the City of Malibu Short-Term Rental Permit Program (23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA 90265)
• Pay by credit card

For questions or assistance filling out your application, contact STRSupport@malibucity.org or call the City’s STR support line at 310-456-2489, ext. 381.

Mail-In Application Submittal

To submit the application by mail, owners should complete the following:

• Enter information in the mail-in Application Form 
• Print out the completed application, sign, and initial as required
• Mail the application to: City of Malibu Short-Term Rental Permit Program, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA 90265. The application should  also include the following:
  • Proof of ownership (a copy of the Grant Deed and, if applicable, a copy of the operating agreement) 
  • Check in the amount of $471 payable to the City of Malibu

For questions or assistance filling out your application, contact STRSupport@malibucity.org or call the City’s STR support line at 310-456-2489, ext. 381.

request to amend application

To amend an existing Short-term Rental application, please print and sign the Amendment Request form.

Mail the original signed and initialed Amendment Request to: the City of Malibu Short-Term Rental Permit Program (23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA 90265)

STR Permit Renewal Application Deadlines

To renew you STR permit you renewal application must be received at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the STR permit. Applications received after the deadline but before the expiration of the permit may be accepted at the discretion of the City Manager or his designee—and are unlikely to be processed before the current permit expires. NOTE - Submitting an application for renewal does not extend the expiration date of a current permit; the new permit must actually be received before advertisement or operation of a STR property.

SHORT-TERM RENTAL CODE OF CONDUCT

As part of Ordinance No. 468, property owners must provide all guests with the City of Malibu's Short-Term Rental Code of Conduct and post the Short-Term Rental Code of Conduct on the inside of the main entrance door to the dwelling unit or directly adjacent.

APPEAL PROCESS FOR STR PERMIT APPLICATIONS

If you wish to challenge the City's decision on your STR permit application, you may submit a written challenge on the City’s Appeal Form detailing the basis for the appeal and any additional documentation you would like to be considered. 

The completed Appeal Form must be delivered to the City Clerk within thirty (30) calendar days from the date you were notified of the City's decision. Failure to do so shall result in the permit being deemed final and no further appeal will be allowed. Once a timely and complete appeal form has been received by the City Clerk, a hearing on the matter shall be scheduled before the Planning Commission in accordance with the procedure detailed in Malibu Municipal Code Section 17.04.220. Please note that if an appeal is filed, you will still be prohibited from short-term rental activity at the property while the appeal is in process.