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Taxes›California›Orange County›Seal Beach

Seal Beach
short-term rental taxes.

Data date: Jun 2026

Start with the recorded local taxes and permit overview for Seal Beach, California. Check the current requirements for your exact address.

Rental conditions are recorded in Seal Beach
STRs limited to Coastal Zone (south of Westminster Blvd). cap = 1% of Coastal Zone units (~31 permits).
Find published guidance for your Seal Beach address
Check published permit and tax guidance for Seal Beach.

What you need to do in Seal Beach

From the linked source
  1. To do
    Meet the local rental conditions

    STRs limited to Coastal Zone (south of Westminster Blvd). cap = 1% of Coastal Zone units (~31 permits).

  2. To do
    Get the Seal Beach short-term rental license or registration

    Fee: STR permit required (initial $600 / renewal $400 annually). Term: Annual. Rule: ordinance 1701.

    Where to apply

  3. To do
    Who collects the 12% Seal Beach occupancy tax depends on the booking channel

    Airbnb: collects it for you; Vrbo: not confirmed; Booking.com: not confirmed; Direct: you collect and remit. Where a channel's answer is not confirmed, check its tax settings.

  4. To do
    File quarterly returns

    The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.

Verify each step with the authority before you file or apply. Source

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What to know.

STRs limited to Coastal Zone (south of Westminster Blvd). cap = 1% of Coastal Zone units (~31 permits). The published guide for Seal Beach lists 12% local occupancy tax. A license or registration is required. Fee: STR permit required (initial $600 / renewal $400 annually). Term: Annual.

At a glance.

Local tax
12%
State tax
Local only
License
Required
Local filing
By booking channel
SourceSources & confidenceHow we researchReport a problem with this page

Tax details

Exemptions, penalties, filing information, and effective dates from the linked sources.

Seal Beach: Recorded exemptions

Per Seal Beach Municipal Code Ch. 4.35 (ecode360, 2026-10-12, definitions): 'Transient' means any person who exercises occupancy by concession, permit, right of access, license or other agreement; tax administrator is the city treasurer.

Seal Beach: Recorded remittance instructions

remit to tax administrator by last day of month following quarter

Seal Beach: Recorded filing schedule

Filing frequency: Quarterly.

Source for these notes: sealbeachca.gov: short term rentals

Platform tax collection guidance for Seal Beach

Collection is shown separately for each booking channel. Direct-booking taxes are paid by the host.

PlatformStateLocal
AirbnbNonePlatform collects
VrboNoneCheck
Booking.comNoneCheck
DirectNoneYou collect and remit

Platform collects means the platform pays that tax. You collect and remit means you pay it. Collection details unavailable identifies a missing answer for that channel. Filing duties are listed separately.

Your next steps

  • Get the required license or registration

    Apply before you list. Fee: STR permit required (initial $600 / renewal $400 annually). Term: Annual.

  • Collection of the 12% local tax

    Follow the channel breakdown above; you collect and remit tax on direct bookings.

  • File your tax returns

    File quarterly returns. The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.

Sources & confidence

How we collect and check this information · Report a problem with this page

FigureValueSourceStatus
Seal Beach occupancy tax12%
Source
Source linked
California local lodging tax guidanceLocally administered
Source
Source linked
Licensing recordRequired
Source
Source linked
Official sources for the taxes and permit requirements shown above.

Seal Beach STR tax FAQ

Does Airbnb pay my Seal Beach occupancy taxes?

Airbnb collects this tax. You collect and remit tax on direct bookings.

Do I need a license to Airbnb in Seal Beach?

A license or registration is required. Fee: STR permit required (initial $600 / renewal $400 annually). Term: Annual.

What happens if I don't file?

Penalties and interest depend on the tax and authority. Check the applicable rules and contact the authority about any missed filings or payments.

How often do I file?

File quarterly returns. The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.