The purposes of this chapter are to:
(a) 
Prohibit short-term rentals in the city.
(b) 
Ensure the collection and payment of transient occupancy taxes.
(c) 
Safeguard the residents of the city of Fountain Valley by preserving the residential character of residential neighborhoods.
Because short-term rentals have never been listed as a permitted use under the city's zoning regulations, this chapter is declaratory of existing law.
(Ord. 1591 § 3, 2022)
For purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases are defined as follows:
"Hosting platform"
means a person or entity who participates in home-sharing or short-term rentals by collecting or receiving a fee, directly or indirectly through an agent or intermediary, for conducting a booking transaction using any medium of facilitation. Examples include, but are not limited to, VRBO.com, Airbnb.com, homestay.com and other internet and non-internet based services that facilitate bookings for a fee.
"Hosted short-term rental"
means a short-term rental where the owner of the short-term rental property is present and living in the unit.
"Owner"
means a person, firm, corporation, or other entity that holds record fee title to the property.
"Unhosted short-term rental"
means a short-term rental where the owner of the short-term rental property resides off-site during the guest's stay.
"Residential dwelling"
means a private structure that is designed for use and occupancy by one or more individuals. "Residential dwelling" does not include a commercially operated hotel, motel, bed and breakfast inn, or a time-share property as defined by subdivision (aa) of Section 11212 of the Business and Professions Code.
"Short-term rental" or "short-term-rental property"
means a residential dwelling, or any portion of a residential dwelling, that is rented to a person or persons for thirty consecutive days or less. "Short-term rental" and "short-term-rental property" include both hosted short-term rentals and unhosted short-term rentals.
(Ord. 1591 § 3, 2022)
(a) 
No owner, person, firm, corporation, hosting platform, or other entity shall offer or make available a short-term rental property located in the city of Fountain Valley.
(b) 
No owner, person, firm, corporation, hosting platform, or other entity shall operate a short-term rental property located in the city of Fountain Valley.
(c) 
No owner, person, firm, corporation, hosting platform, or other entity shall post, publish, circulate, broadcast, maintain, or advertise a short-term rental property located in the city of Fountain Valley.
(Ord. 1591 § 3, 2022)
(a) 
Any short-term rental operated, conducted, or maintained contrary to the provisions of this chapter shall be, and the same is declared to be, unlawful and a public nuisance.
(b) 
It is unlawful and a public nuisance for any owner, person, firm, corporation, hosting platform, or other entity to violate any provision of this chapter.
(Ord. 1591 § 3, 2022)