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AB-1953 • 2026

Short-term rentals: emergencies and special events.

Short-term rentals: emergencies and special events.

Housing
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Lowenthal
Last action
Official status
Assembly - Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text states terms are defined but does not provide the full definition for 'eligible residential dwelling' in this summary excerpt.

Short-Term Rentals During Emergencies and Special Events

AB-1953 requires state agencies to create a registration system that allows homeowners to rent out their homes during emergencies or special events, even if local rules normally ban short-term rentals.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Office of Emergency Services and the Office of Tourism to establish public registration systems for rental properties.
  • Allows registered property owners to start renting eligible residential dwellings immediately when a state emergency is declared or during special event periods.
  • Prohibits cities, counties, and other local governments from enforcing laws that block these specific short-term rentals if the home is registered with the state.
  • Requires the Office of Tourism to define special event dates and post them online at least 180 days before each event.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Property owners who register their homes as eligible residential dwellings.
  • Cities, counties, charter cities, and other local governments that currently have rules limiting short-term rentals.
  • The Office of Emergency Services and the Office of Tourism within state government agencies.

Terms To Know

Short-term rental
A residential dwelling offered for rent to guests, as defined by existing law or this bill's context during emergencies or events.
Eligible residential dwelling
A home that meets the state's definition and is registered in the new public system.
Charter city
A city with its own constitution-like document; this bill states these cities must follow statewide rules for emergencies and events because they are matters of statewide concern.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The text does not define the specific criteria that make a home an 'eligible residential dwelling' beyond stating it is defined.
  • The exact regulations for how to register or what information is required will be adopted later by state agencies and are not listed in this summary.
  • The bill mentions making nonsubstantive changes to existing reporting laws but does not detail those specific changes.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Assembly - Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Official Summary Text

Short-term rentals: emergencies and special events.