Apartments for Rent in West Hollywood, CA

What makes West Hollywood different from the rest of LA?

Updated June 2026

West Hollywood is a 1.9-square-mile city that manages to feel much larger than it is. Incorporated in 1984, it is sandwiched between Beverly Hills to the west, Hollywood to the east, and Los Angeles to the south and north. The city’s relatively small geography means most renters are genuinely walking distance from a dense mix of restaurants, bars, grocery stores (Trader Joe’s on Santa Monica Blvd, multiple Ralph’s locations), and nightlife — which explains the Walk Score of 89.

The neighborhood divides roughly into three rental zones. The West Hollywood West area, between Doheny and Fairfax along Santa Monica Boulevard, is predominantly residential and quieter — older courtyard apartment buildings, some bungalow courts, and mid-century walk-ups. WeHo East, between Fairfax and La Brea, is denser, closer to Melrose Avenue, and slightly more affordable than the western end. The Sunset Strip corridor along Sunset Boulevard anchors the city’s nightlife and entertainment identity; renting on or near the Strip means noise trade-offs that not everyone wants, but also the most walkable and active street environment in the city.

Transit in West Hollywood is good but not exceptional. There is no Metro rail directly in WeHo, though the D Line Purple Line extension now running to Wilshire/La Cienega puts the city within a short drive or bike ride of the subway. Local DASH and Big Blue Bus routes serve the area, and ride-share penetration is high. Most WeHo residents do own cars; street parking is zone-controlled but manageable for residents. The newly opened D Line stations at La Brea and Fairfax (May 2026) bring rail access significantly closer than it previously was.

West Hollywood’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance is one of the city’s most distinctive features. It covers most multi-dwelling units built before July 1, 1979. The current annual rent increase cap is 2.25% (effective September 2025–August 2026). What distinguishes WeHo’s RSO beyond the cap is its tenant relocation assistance requirement: landlords pursuing no-fault evictions (owner move-in, demolition, major remodel) must pay relocation assistance before the tenant vacates, with amounts scaled to tenancy length and household composition. This is not a feature you get in most of unincorporated LA. If you are renting an older building in West Hollywood, the unit is likely covered — confirm with the landlord.

West Hollywood’s primary ZIP code is 90069, which covers the Sunset Strip, the northern residential streets, and most of the commercial corridors. The ZIP 90046 covers the eastern portion of WeHo along Santa Monica Blvd toward Fairfax, and parts of the West Hollywood Hills above the Strip. ZIP 90048 covers the western portion closer to Beverly Hills and the Beverly Center. For renters searching listings, filtering by these ZIPs gives a reliable view of what is actually in the city limits versus adjacent City of LA blocks that use the same street names.

The Sunset Strip is West Hollywood’s most famous address and its most complicated rental environment. The Strip runs along Sunset Boulevard between Doheny Drive and Crescent Heights — approximately 1.5 miles of hotels, clubs, billboards, and historic music venues (the Roxy, Whisky a Go Go, the Comedy Store, Viper Room). Apartments directly on or immediately adjacent to the Strip offer unmatched access to nightlife, outdoor dining, and some of the city’s best people-watching. The trade-offs are real: nighttime noise from clubs and event traffic, significant weekend congestion, and parking that requires diligence. Most renters who choose Sunset Strip locations do so knowing those trade-offs and valuing the proximity.

The Design District, centered on the stretch of Melrose Avenue between La Brea and Doheny, is one of WeHo’s most distinctive draws. This is where LA’s best furniture showrooms, architecture studios, and home goods retailers are concentrated — the Pacific Design Center (the Blue Whale, three massive buildings) anchors the area, alongside independent galleries and restaurants. Renters near the Design District are within walking distance of this corridor and the more residential stretch of Santa Monica Blvd that runs parallel. The Pacific Design Center also hosts public events, film screenings, and art shows throughout the year.

WeHo Park, the city’s main public green space, sits on the north side of Santa Monica Boulevard between Melrose and Kings Road. It is small by most city-park standards but well-maintained, with a recreation center, basketball courts, and a dog park. West Hollywood has one of the highest dog-ownership rates of any LA city, and dog-friendly amenities — sidewalk restaurants, off-leash areas, pet supply density — are a real feature of daily life here. Renters with pets will find WeHo unusually accommodating compared to other parts of LA.