Burbank Night Caps Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Many California cities that restrict short-term rentals use a "night cap" model — allowing hosts to rent their primary residence for a limited number of nights per year (Los Angeles permits 120 nights; Santa Monica caps hosted rentals at 90 days). Burbank has not adopted this approach. The city's zoning code (Title 10) simply does not list short-term rentals as a permitted or conditionally permitted use in any residential zone, effectively creating a blanket prohibition. The Burbank Planning Board reviewed and voted against proposals to create an STR licensing or night-cap framework, leaving the complete ban in place.

This means Burbank residents have no legal pathway to rent their home, a room, an ADU, or any residential unit for fewer than 30 consecutive days, regardless of how many nights per year they would do so. There is no hosted exception for renting while present, no special event allowance, and no seasonal permit. The 30-consecutive-day minimum applies to all residential rental activity. Enforcement is complaint-driven, with code enforcement staff investigating listings on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. Property owners who receive notices of violation must immediately remove listings and cease rental activity. Fines escalate rapidly for continued violations.