San Diego ADUs may be rented long-term (30+ days) without restriction. Short-term rentals are governed by SDMC Β§ 510.0101 et seq. (the four-tier STRO program). ADUs cannot operate as Tier 3 or Tier 4 STRs in most cases because those tiers require the host's primary residence. Junior ADUs are restricted to 30-day minimum rentals by SDMC Β§ 141.0302(c)(2).
Long-term rental (30 days or more) of an ADU is permitted in San Diego without separate licensing under California Gov. Code Β§ 65852.2 and SDMC Β§ 141.0302. ADUs cannot be rented for periods shorter than 30 days unless the property qualifies under the city's Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) ordinance, SDMC Β§ 510.0101 et seq., which took effect May 1, 2023. The STRO program has four tiers: Tier 1 (β€20 days/year, no host requirement, no license cap), Tier 2 (whole-home with host present), Tier 3 (whole-home, host's primary residence, unlimited days, capped at 1% of dwelling units), and Tier 4 (Mission Beach overlay, separate cap). Because Tier 3 and Tier 4 require the unit to be the host's primary residence, most detached ADUs cannot qualify for those tiers. An ADU can be a Tier 1 STR (host's casual occasional rental). Junior ADUs (JADUs) are specifically restricted by SDMC Β§ 141.0302(c)(2) to rental terms of 30 days or more β JADUs cannot be short-term rented in any tier. State law (Gov. Code Β§ 65852.2(a)(7)) also bars short-term rentals of ADUs in some contexts.
Operating an unlicensed STR carries administrative fines up to $1,000 per violation under SDMC Β§ 510. Repeat violations can result in tier downgrades or permit revocation for 5 years. JADU short-term rental violations can void the ADU permit. The city actively monitors Airbnb/VRBO listings against the licensed database.
San Diego, CA
San Diego allows backyard recreational fires under San Diego Fire Code Section 511.0307 (adopting 2022 California Fire Code Section 307) when the fire is no ...
San Diego, CA
San Diego enforces 2022 California Residential Code Section R314 and California Health and Safety Code Sections 13113.7 and 13114 through the San Diego Build...
San Diego, CA
San Diego has no city ordinance regulating residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private property. California Civil Code Β§ 4710 limi...
San Diego, CA
San Diego has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Inflatables are permitted on private property subject to SDM...
San Diego, CA
San Diego has no city ordinance specifying installation dates, removal deadlines, or brightness limits for residential holiday lights. Amplified outdoor audi...
San Diego, CA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in San Diego require multiple permits through the Development Services Department: a building permit for the structure, a gas-line ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Diego County.
See how other cities in San Diego County handle adu rental restrictions.
See how San Diego's adu rental restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.