Orange Night Caps Rules (2026): What You Need to Know
Heavy RestrictionsKey Facts
- Annual night cap
- Zero — STRs are completely prohibited
- Hosted rental allowance
- None — no hosted vs. unhosted distinction exists
- Minimum stay requirement
- 30 consecutive days for any residential rental
- Even one night
- A single short-term rental booking constitutes a violation
- Future changes
- No proposed STR ordinance with night-cap provisions as of early 2025
The Short Version
The City of Orange does not impose an annual night-cap on short-term rentals because STRs are entirely prohibited in residential zones under Title 17 of the Orange Municipal Code. The permitted number of short-term rental nights per year is effectively zero. There is no distinction between hosted rentals (where the owner is present) and unhosted rentals (whole-home rentals) because neither type is allowed under current zoning. Unlike cities such as Los Angeles (which caps non-primary-residence STRs at 120 nights per year) or San Francisco (which limits unhosted rentals to 90 nights per year), Orange has not created a regulatory framework that would allow any number of short-term rental nights. The City's approach is a complete prohibition rather than a managed cap system. Residents should not interpret the absence of a night-cap as an opportunity for occasional short-term rentals. Even a single night of transient rental activity constitutes a zoning violation. The Community Development Department has stated that enforcement applies regardless of the frequency or duration of individual short-term rental bookings.
Full Breakdown
The City of Orange does not impose an annual night-cap on short-term rentals because STRs are entirely prohibited in residential zones under Title 17 of the Orange Municipal Code. The permitted number of short-term rental nights per year is effectively zero. There is no distinction between hosted rentals (where the owner is present) and unhosted rentals (whole-home rentals) because neither type is allowed under current zoning.
Unlike cities such as Los Angeles (which caps non-primary-residence STRs at 120 nights per year) or San Francisco (which limits unhosted rentals to 90 nights per year), Orange has not created a regulatory framework that would allow any number of short-term rental nights. The City's approach is a complete prohibition rather than a managed cap system.
Residents should not interpret the absence of a night-cap as an opportunity for occasional short-term rentals. Even a single night of transient rental activity constitutes a zoning violation. The Community Development Department has stated that enforcement applies regardless of the frequency or duration of individual short-term rental bookings.
What Happens If You Violate This?
Because STRs are prohibited, there is no permitting system to suspend or revoke. Enforcement proceeds directly through the code enforcement process. Property owners who operate even one night of short-term rental activity are subject to a Notice of Violation requiring immediate cessation. Administrative citations carry fines of $100 per day for the first violation, escalating to $200 and then $500 per day for continued non-compliance. The City may also pursue recovery of unpaid Transient Occupancy Tax for any rental nights that have already occurred. Under Orange Municipal Code Chapter 3.32, TOT is assessed at the applicable rate on all transient lodging, and failure to collect and remit TOT carries additional penalties and interest. Repeat violators face potential nuisance abatement proceedings and referral to the City Attorney for injunctive relief. Courts may issue orders permanently enjoining the property owner from offering short-term rentals and awarding the City its enforcement costs and attorney fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nights per year can I rent my home short-term in Orange?
Can I rent a spare room for just a few nights in Orange?
Is Orange considering adopting a night-cap system for STRs?
How does Orange compare?
See how Orange's night caps rules stack up against other locations.