Airbnb Management in Long Beach: Self-Manage Airbnb and Vrbo

Airbnb management in Long Beach is something you can self-manage. You handle city duties, a person on site handles cleaning and repairs, and BnBGenius answers guest messages on Airbnb and Vrbo 24/7. Your first 500 messages are free, with all features and no card; after that it is $10 a month per unit (each listing you connect).

As of 12 November 2026, the City says it is not accepting new registration or renewal applications during a system transition. It still accepts Applications of Interest, but those are not registrations. Check the City's current STR information before making plans around a new or renewed registration. (System transition and application pause)(Applications of Interest are not registrations)

Airbnb Management in Long Beach: How You Self-Manage with BnBGenius

If you want to manage your own Airbnb, decide who will take each part of the work before you connect a listing.

BnBGenius installs as a Chrome extension in about 5 minutes, with no API keys and no passwords shared. BnBGenius is run from Telegram.

As checked on 12 November 2026, new registrations and renewal applications were paused during the City's system transition. Applications of Interest could still be submitted, but the registration process could not proceed until the new system was available. (System transition and application pause)(Applications of Interest are not registrations)

The host or short-term rental (STR) operator must be available 24/7 or identify an emergency contact who is available 24/7 for the City's forwarded complaints. The responder must act within one hour and take needed steps to resolve the complaint. You also handle the monthly duty to collect, report and pay Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) to the City. (Emergency contact and complaint duties)(TOT duty)

A Week of Self-Managing Your Airbnb in Long Beach

Use this as an organizing sequence for Airbnb management in Long Beach, not a set of seven literal days or a promise that applications are open. Vacation rental management in Long Beach includes city steps that stay with you, even if another person handles the work at the property. The City calls a short-term rental an STR.

1. Before choosing the type: An individual may apply for one Primary Residence registration and one Non-Primary Residence registration. The Primary Residence unit must be on the same parcel as the applicant’s primary residence. That residence must be a permanent home or usual place of return for at least 275 days in the calendar year. The City allows unlimited Primary Residence registrations citywide and up to 800 Non-Primary Residence registrations. (Registration types)(Primary residence scope)(Primary residence definition)(Citywide cap by registration type)

2. Before an application: Check the City's transition notice first. As checked on 12 November 2026, it was not accepting new registrations or renewal applications, though it was accepting Applications of Interest for eligibility review. The City says the registration process cannot proceed until its new system is available, and the pause is due to the system transition, not registration capacity. The unit must be a legally permitted habitable space; an ADU does not qualify. The City also maintains a list that lets residential apartment building property owners and homeowners’ associations prohibit registration on their own property. (System transition and application pause)(Qualified dwelling)(Applications of Interest are not registrations)(Prohibited buildings)

3. Before an inspection: Make a list of every area guests will use or access. The City must inspect and document those areas for hazardous or unsafe conditions. If the City requires corrective action, it must be resolved to the City's satisfaction before registration approval. If you are not an owner trying to register, the City requires a signed and notarized Property Owner Authorization form. (Inspection and required corrections)(Not an owner)

4. Before guest arrival: Put the City-issued registration number in all marketing and advertising, including the platform listing. Post a notice inside the unit where guests can clearly find and access it. Include the maximum number of occupants; parking capacity, location and rules, if any; trash and recycling pickup details; and the local contact's name and 24-hour phone number. Also include police, fire and medical emergency information, plus an evacuation plan showing routes, exits and fire extinguisher locations. (Advertising)(Guest notice contents)

5. During a stay: The host or operator must be available 24/7 or name an emergency contact who is available 24/7. The selected person must respond within one hour to complaints forwarded by the City or its agent and take remedial action needed to resolve them. See the checklist for the full complaint scope. (Emergency contact and complaint duties)

6. At checkout: Your person on site does the physical cleaning and repair work. As an optional habit, you can keep your own notes on completed work and guest issues in one place.

7. Monthly and when planning renewal: Collect, report and pay the City's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) monthly. Even if the unit had no rental that month, log in and report $0.00. Both the report and payment are due on the 10th of the following month. The annual registration term starts on the date the City issues the registration number. The City says it will provide renewal instructions to existing registrants once the new system is available. (TOT duty)(City portal and $0 reporting)(Due date)(Registration term)(System transition and application pause)(Registration renewal transition)

Long Beach Short-Term Rental Permit and Rules: Your Checklist

For a Long Beach short-term rental permit, the City uses the term short-term rental (STR) registration. An individual may apply for one registration of each type. See the full City STR rules for more detail. (Registration types)

• Registration type: An individual may get one registration of each type. For a primary registration, the unit must be on the same parcel as the applicant's primary home. See step 1 above for the 275-day home test. (Registration types)(Primary residence scope)(Primary residence definition)

• Activity and day limits: For a primary STR, unhosted use is limited to 90 days in each term. Hosted use has no day limit in each term. Non-primary unhosted use has no day limit in each term. (Primary unhosted limit)(Primary hosted limit)(Non-primary unhosted)

• Capacity and pause: Primary registrations have no citywide cap. Non-primary registrations have a citywide cap of 800. The City was not taking new or renewal applications on 12 Nov 2026. It still took Applications of Interest. STR registration cannot proceed until the new system is ready. The pause is for a system change, not the cap. (Citywide cap by registration type)(System transition and application pause)(Applications of Interest are not registrations)

• Address and inspection: The unit must be legally permitted by the City as a habitable space. ADUs do not qualify. The City must inspect and document all areas guests use or can reach. If a fix is needed, it must be done before registration approval. It must satisfy the City. (Qualified dwelling)(Inspection and required corrections)

• Fee and annual term: The City charges $545 to review an STR application. The same fee applies to a later renewal application. The annual term starts on the date the City issues the registration number. (Annual application review fee)(Registration term)

• Ads and notices: All marketing, including a platform listing, must clearly show the City-issued STR registration number. The unit must also have a notice that guests can find and access. See step 4 above for the required notice details. (Advertising)(Guest notice contents)

• Occupancy and events: The limit is two people per bedroom, plus two more, up to eight people per STR. This count includes hosts and guests' children. A studio counts as zero bedrooms and has a two-person limit. An event above the unit's limit requires an Occasional Event Permit from the Long Beach Special Events office first. (Occupancy and occasional events)

• Emergency response: The host or operator must be ready 24/7 or name an emergency contact ready 24/7. That person must reply within one hour to complaints sent by the City or its agent. A complaint may concern the STR or its guests. It may be about the condition, operation, or conduct of either. The responder must take any needed action to resolve it. (Emergency contact and complaint duties)

• Outdoor amenities: Use of all outdoor pools, spas and hot tubs is prohibited from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (Outdoor pools spas and hot tubs)

• Monthly tax reporting: The host or operator must collect, report and pay TOT each month. If there was no rental, the host must still report $0.00. Both the report and payment are due on the 10th of the month after the reporting month. (TOT duty)(City portal and $0 reporting)(Due date)

"The annual term of STR registration shall commence on the date of the City-issued registration number."

Source: Registration term

What this means for you: Use the date the City issues the registration number to track the start of the annual term.

"Use of all outdoor pools, spas and hot tubs shall be prohibited between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m."

Source: Outdoor pools spas and hot tubs

What this means for you: The time limit covers all three outdoor amenities. It bars their use from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Long Beach Airbnb Taxes

The City's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) applies to guests who rent a room for 30 days or less. The current rate is 13% of applicable room rental fees. The host or STR operator must collect, report and pay the tax monthly. (TOT rate and period)(TOT duty)

A zero-rental month still requires a $0.00 report. Both the report and payment are due on the 10th of the month after the reporting month. For example, if a month has $1,000 in applicable room rental fees, the City tax at 13% would be $130. That example assumes the full $1,000 is applicable room rental fees. (City portal and $0 reporting)(Due date)(TOT rate and period)

What Airbnb Management in Long Beach Costs When You Self-Manage

Separate city fees, taxes, software and on-site work in your budget. They have different bases, so adding them into one universal monthly total can mislead you.

The City review fee is $545 for an application or a later renewal application. That is a review fee, not a price per rental night. The annual registration term starts on the date the City issues the registration number. The City's 13% TOT rate applies to applicable room rental fees, so it is a separate tax calculation rather than a flat annual cost. (Annual application review fee)(Registration term)(TOT rate and period)

As checked on 12 November 2026, new and renewal applications were paused during the City's system transition. Check the City's current notice before planning a new application or renewal. (System transition and application pause)(Applications of Interest are not registrations)

Your first 500 messages are free, with all features and no card; after that it is $10 a month per unit (each listing you connect). If you use two units, the software cost after the free messages would be $20 a month. Voice Concierge is $30/month. It includes 20 resolved calls each month, then $0.35 per resolved call.

Cleaning and repairs are another budget category. Costs depend on the property, the work needed and the person you hire, so get local quotes rather than relying on a citywide estimate. A management company may also offer a quote for a wider range of work; compare its actual scope and price with the tasks you plan to keep.

Long Beach Airbnb FAQ for Self-Managing Owners

1. What do I still have to handle when I self-manage?

You must arrange the 24/7 availability or emergency contact required for City-forwarded complaints. You also remain responsible for collecting, reporting and paying TOT each month. (Emergency contact and complaint duties)(TOT duty)

2. Do I need a Long Beach short-term rental permit?

The City calls this approval an STR registration. As checked on 12 November 2026, new registrations were not being accepted, but Applications of Interest could still be submitted. An Application of Interest is not a registration, and the City said processing could not proceed until its new system was available. (Registration types)(System transition and application pause)(Applications of Interest are not registrations)

3. How much is the City registration fee?

The City charges $545 to review an application or a later renewal application. The annual term starts on the date the City issues the registration number. (Annual application review fee)(Registration term)

4. What is the difference between Primary and Non-Primary Residence?

An individual may apply for one of each registration type. For a Primary Residence registration, the unit must share a parcel with the applicant's primary residence, which must be a permanent home or usual place of return for at least 275 days in the calendar year. The City allows unlimited Primary Residence registrations and up to 800 Non-Primary Residence registrations citywide. (Registration types)(Primary residence scope)(Primary residence definition)(Citywide cap by registration type)

5. Do hosted and unhosted rentals have the same day limits?

No. Hosted activity means the registrant remains on site and resides in a qualified dwelling or part of one throughout the guest's stay; the registrant must be an owner or authorized long-term tenant. Primary hosted rentals have no day limit per registration period, while primary unhosted rentals are limited to 90 days per registration period. Non-Primary unhosted rentals have no day limit per registration period. (Hosted rental definition)(Un-hosted rental definition)(Primary unhosted limit)(Primary hosted limit)(Non-primary unhosted)

6. Can I register an ADU, and what happens before approval?

An ADU is not a qualified dwelling for STR use. The City must inspect and document the areas guests will use or access, and any required corrections must be resolved to the City's satisfaction before approval. The City also maintains a list that lets residential apartment building property owners and homeowners’ associations prohibit registration on their own property. (Qualified dwelling)(Inspection and required corrections)(Prohibited buildings)

7. What must my listing and in-unit notice show?

All marketing, including a platform listing, must clearly show the City-issued STR registration number. The unit must also have an accessible, clearly marked notice with the required guest, parking, trash, contact, emergency and evacuation information. (Advertising)(Guest notice contents)

8. Who must respond to a complaint?

The host or operator must be available 24/7 or name an emergency contact who is available 24/7. That person must respond within one hour to complaints forwarded by the City or its agent about the STR's condition, operation or conduct, or its guests, and take needed remedial action to resolve them. (Emergency contact and complaint duties)

9. What does Long Beach require for TOT?

The City rate is 13% of applicable room rental fees for guests who rent a room for 30 days or less. The host or operator must collect, report and pay monthly, including a $0.00 report for a month with no rental; both the report and payment are due on the 10th of the following month. (TOT rate and period)(TOT duty)(City portal and $0 reporting)(Due date)

10. When does registration renewal happen?

The annual term starts on the date the City issues the registration number. As checked on 12 November 2026, renewal applications were not being accepted during the system transition, and the City said it would provide renewal instructions to existing registrants once the new system was available. (Registration term)(System transition and application pause)(Registration renewal transition)

Airbnb Property Management in Long Beach: Self-Manage or Hire a Company

Airbnb property management in Long Beach can mean keeping city duties and on-site work separate, or asking a management company for a quote to take on a broader role. Choose based on the work you want to retain and the actual costs you receive.

More City Guides

• Airbnb rules in Huntington Beach, CA
• Airbnb rules in Newport Beach, CA
• Airbnb rules in Los Angeles, CA
• Airbnb rules in Santa Monica, CA

Rules and rates last checked on 12 November 2026.