El Monte 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 up to 120 nights annually, Santa Monica caps hosted rentals, and West Hollywood has its own limits. El Monte has not adopted any such program. The city's zoning code (Title 17) does not list short-term rentals as a permitted use in any residential zone, and no night-cap exception has been created through subsequent ordinance.

This means El Monte 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 few nights per year they would do so. There is no hosted exception for renting while present in the home, no seasonal permit for holiday periods, and no special-event allowance. The complete prohibition applies equally to single-family homeowners, multifamily property owners, and ADU owners. El Monte's approach reflects its focus on maintaining residential neighborhood stability in a city where housing density is already significant.

The absence of a night-cap program means that any short-term rental activity — even a single night — in a residential zone violates the zoning code. Property owners who list their homes on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO and limit bookings to a small number of nights per year are still in violation. Code enforcement does not distinguish between high-volume and low-volume STR operators when issuing citations. Residents interested in rental income from their property should explore leases of 30 days or longer, which are permitted under the standard rental provisions of the zoning code.