Torrance Night Caps Rules (2026): What You Need to Know
Some RestrictionsKey Facts
The Short Version
Torrance does not impose a specific annual night cap (maximum number of rental nights per year) for permitted short-term rentals. Instead, the city regulates STRs through the home-share requirement in residential zones, which requires the host to live onsite during each rental period. STRs in commercial zones have no night limitations.
Full Breakdown
Unlike some California cities that impose annual caps on the number of rental nights (for example, Los Angeles caps un-hosted stays at 120 days per year, and San Francisco requires hosts to live in the property 275 nights per year), Torrance does not have a specific numerical night cap for permitted short-term rentals.
Instead, Torrance's primary regulatory mechanism in residential zones is the home-share requirement. In residential zones, STRs are permitted solely as a home share, meaning the host provides lodging while they live on-site for the duration of each rental period. This effectively limits the nature and intensity of rentals without imposing a hard night count, since the homeowner must be present during every rental.
In commercial zones, permitted STRs may operate with or without a host onsite, and there is no restriction on the number of nights rented per year. All STR operators must submit quarterly Uniform Occupancy Tax (UOT) returns to the Finance Department, which tracks rental activity and ensures tax compliance.
What Happens If You Violate This?
Operating outside the home-share requirement in a residential zone (e.g., renting without the host onsite) violates TMC Section 92.43 and is a public nuisance. Each day of violation is a separate offense subject to civil action and/or criminal prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent my home in Torrance?
Can I rent my home while I'm on vacation?
Do I have to report my rental nights?
Sources & Official References
Related Ordinances in Torrance
Permit Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsShort-Term Rentals · Torrance, CA
Torrance requires a Short Term Rental Permit, a Business License, and Uniform Occupancy Tax (UOT) registration for any rental of 30 days or fewer. In residen...
Registration Rules
Heavy RestrictionsShort-Term Rentals · Torrance, CA
Torrance requires a three-step registration process for short-term rental operators: STR permit, business license, and Uniform Occupancy Tax (UOT) registrati...
How does Torrance compare?
See how Torrance's night caps rules stack up against other locations.