San Diego Short-Term Rental Regulations
| Permit | ✓ Required — STRO License Tier 1/2 (Owner-Occupied) ($226-$317) — See below for other permit types |
| Primary Residence | Varies by permit type |
| Annual Day Limit | 20 days–unlimited (varies by permit type) |
| Tax Rate | 11.75%–13.75% (zone-based) |
| Max Penalty | $1,000 per violation (up to $5,000 for repeat violations) |
| Insurance | Not required |
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Permit & Licensing
- STRO License Tier 1/2 (Owner-Occupied) — Tier 1: part-time, up to 20 days/year. Tier 2: home sharing, 20+ days/year with host present
- STRO License Tier 3/4 (Whole Home) — Tier 3: whole-home rental (excludes Mission Beach). Tier 4: Mission Beach whole-home (application period closed)
STRO License Tier 1/2 (Owner-Occupied)
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $226-$317 |
| Renewal | $226-$317 / 2 years |
The property must be your primary residence. This means investment properties are not eligible for this permit type.
STRO License Tier 3/4 (Whole Home)
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $1,170 |
| Renewal | $1,170 / 2 years |
This permit type does not require primary residence. Zoning restriction: Tier 3: capped at 1% of city's total housing units outside Mission Beach CPA; Tier 4: capped at 30% of Mission Beach CPA units, application period currently closed.
Application Process
Online application; must first obtain active TOT Certificate and active/paid Rental Unit Business Tax (RUBT) account; non-owner hosts must also have Business Tax Certificate and Right to Occupy document
Note: Document requirements vary by permit type. See individual permit sections above for eligibility details.
Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) | 11.75%–13.75% (zone-based; Zone 1: 11.75%, Zone 2: 12.75%, Zone 3: 13.75% effective May 1, 2025 per Measure C) | City of San Diego |
| Rental Unit Business Tax (RUBT) | Flat annual fee: $55/year (single family/condo: $50 base + $5/unit) | City of San Diego |
Combined rate: 11.75%–13.75% (zone-based) of gross rental income.
Collection: Host is responsible for collecting and remitting TOT; platform auto-remit not confirmed in sources
Rental Limits
San Diego annual day limit: 20 days–unlimited (varies by permit type).
Zoning & Restrictions
Owner-occupied: No cap; unlimited licenses available. STRO License Tier 3/4 (Whole Home): Tier 3: capped at 1% of city's total housing units outside Mission Beach CPA; Tier 4: capped at 30% of Mission Beach CPA units, application period currently closed
Penalties for Non-Compliance
City Manager may select regulatory actions without requirement to escalate in severity. Civil and criminal remedies available per Chapter 1, Article 2 of the Municipal Code. Violations reported to Building and Land Use Enforcement (BLUE) team. Administrative citations up to $1,000 issued to guests and hosts for noise/Good Neighbor violations.
Platform Requirements
- Hosting platforms regulated under San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 5 Article 10
- Platforms providing booking services subject to ordinance
- Specific obligations not detailed in available sources
Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in San Diego:
- Determine your permit type. San Diego has 2 permit types. Identify which applies to your property (STRO License Tier 1/2 (Owner-Occupied), STRO License Tier 3/4 (Whole Home)).
- Apply for your STR permit. Submit application + $226-$317 fee. See permit types above to determine which applies.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up hotel occupancy tax accounts with the city tax authority.
- Collect and remit taxes. 11.75%–13.75% (zone-based) on all bookings.
- Renew every 2 years. Renewal fees vary by permit type ($226-$317 / $1,170). See permit types above.
Official Sources
- Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) - City of San Diego
- San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 5 Article 10 Division 1 - Short-Term Residential Occupancy and Hosting Platforms
- Rental Tax Frequently Asked Questions - City of San Diego
- Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)/Tourism Marketing District (TMD) | City of San Diego