AB 2202 Compliance: What Newport Beach STR Owners & Managers Need to Know

AB 2202 Takes Effect Tomorrow - Here’s What You Need to Know

🗓 Effective Tomorrow (July 1, 2025), California’s newest short-term rental law—AB 2202—takes full effect. This bill builds on existing transparency rules by requiring clear disclosure of guest responsibilities and potential penalties tied to cleaning tasks.

What AB 2202 Requires:

• Up‑front disclosure of all fees and penalties
  Hosts, managers, and platforms must state publicly, before booking:

  • Any additional fees or penalties that could be added to the rental price if guests fail to complete certain cleaning tasks.

  • A clear, explicit list of the cleaning tasks required (e.g., “remove all trash,” “strip beds,” “start one dishwasher load”).
    This notice must be shown in standard font and affirmatively acknowledged by the guest before finalizing the reservation (legiscan.com, billtexts.s3.amazonaws.com).

• Prominent placement & acknowledgment
  The notice must appear in the listing (advertisement, platform interface, or direct communication) and require guests to actively acknowledge they've read it before they book (billtexts.s3.amazonaws.com).

• Penalties for non‑compliance
  Failure to comply exposes hosts and platforms to civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, enforceable by local or state prosecutors (legiscan.com).

• No fee limit or prohibition
  AB 2202 doesn't cap or ban cleaning fees—but it mandates full transparency of both the fee and the guest responsibilities that justify it (billtexts.s3.amazonaws.com).

Why This Matters in Newport Beach:

• Protecting shared reputation: Transparent listings reduce the risk of negative reviews tied to “surprise chores.”

• Building trust: Guests appreciate knowing exactly what’s expected, upfront.

• Avoiding enforcement risk: Violations—even accidental—can be costly. Adhering now ensures you’re ahead of any enforcement drive.

What You Should Do Immediately:

Action Notes:

1️⃣ Review all listings Ensure all cleaning tasks and associated fees/penalties are clearly listed.

2️⃣ Update platform interfaces Use bold or standard font, and add a checkbox or confirmation step before checkout.

3️⃣ Train your team Managers, cleaners, and support staff should understand and reinforce the expectations.

4️⃣ Keep documentation Save drafts of listings showing compliance—especially useful if you're ever challenged.

How the Alliance Can Help

NBSTRA is here for its members. If you need support:

• Sample disclosure templates tailored to various property types.

• Technical assistance implementing the required acknowledgement step.

📩 Questions? Reach out! We’re standing by to assist you in ensuring your rentals remain fully compliant and guest-friendly.

Bottom line: AB 2202 demands nothing more than clear communication and guest consent around cleaning duties at the time of booking. It’s a modest change for big impact—protecting your business and guest satisfaction alike.

—
The Newport Beach Short-Term Rental Alliance Team