Short-Term Rentals in San Clemente, CA (2026)
8 verified short-term rentals rules for San Clemente, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Operating or advertising a short-term lodging unit in San Clemente requires two approvals: an STLU operating license from the Finance and Administrative Services Director's office and, separately, an STLU zoning permit confirming the property is zoned for the use. Both attach to the owner rather than the property and end automatically when ownership changes, under Municipal Code § 3.24.180.
San Clemente STR Operating License & Permit
Significant RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code § 3.24.180
No STLU as defined in this chapter shall be advertised rented or operated without an STLU operating license. No STLU as defined in Chapter 17.88 shall be advertised rented or operated without an STLU zoning permit. ... An STLU operating license is owner-specific and does not run with the land. Any change of ownership terminates an existing STLU operating license and requires a new STLU operatin...
Noise Rules
San Clemente bars short-term rental guests from unreasonable noise, disorderly conduct, or violations of alcohol and drug laws, and puts the compliance burden on the owner. A quick emergency-contact response is also required for any complaint.
San Clemente STLU Renter Noise & Conduct Rule
Some RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code § 17.28.292(C)(4)
4.Noise and Disorderly Conduct. STLU renters and their guests shall not create unreasonable noise or disturbances, engage in disorderly conduct, or violate provisions of this code or any state or federal law or regulation, including, but not limited to, those pertaining to noise disorderly conduct, the consumption of alcohol, or the use of illegal drugs. The STLU owner shall ensure compliance w...
Taxes & Fees
Getting or renewing a short-term lodging unit operating license in San Clemente costs a Council-set filing fee under § 3.24.210, and every licensed STLU must keep filing its transient occupancy tax return every quarter, even for a quarter with zero rentals, as a standing condition of the license under § 3.24.220.
San Clemente STR License Fee & Tax Filing
Some RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code §§ 3.24.210, 3.24.220
An application for a STLU operating license must be accompanied by payment of the required fee, the amount of which is established by resolution of the City Council. ... 1.STLUs must comply with all provisions of Title 17 of the code and with all STLU zoning permit conditions.2.An STLU operating license is valid for 12 months from the date issued. A new STLU operating license must be applied fo...
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
San Clemente does not set a fixed parking-space count for short-term lodging units; instead every STLU application must diagram the property's existing legal on-site parking spaces and state the maximum number of overnight guest vehicles allowed, tying the cap to what the site can actually park under Municipal Code §§ 3.24.190(5) and 17.28.292.
San Clemente STR On-Site Parking Requirement
Some RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code §§ 3.24.190(5), 17.28.292(C)(12)
5.A diagram or photograph of the property showing the number and location of designated legal on-site parking spaces and the maximum number of vehicles allowed for overnight guests in the STLU. ... Upon notification that an STLU renter or a renter's guest has violated Subsection 17.28.292(C)(5), Noise and Disorderly Conduct, or 17.28.292(C)(11), Occupancy Limit and Parking, above, the STLU owne...
Occupancy Limits
San Clemente caps overnight occupancy in a licensed Short-Term Lodging Unit at two people per legal bedroom plus two, but never more than 10 people total, under Section 17.28.292(C)(11). Owners of units with five or more bedrooms can apply to the Community Development Director for a waiver of the 10-person cap.
San Clemente Short-Term Rental Occupancy Cap
Some RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code § 17.28.292(C)(11)
11.Occupancy Limit. The maximum number of renters and guests in an STLU may not exceed two persons per legal bedroom plus two persons, but in no event may the maximum occupancy of any STLU exceed 10 or the maximum allowed under Title 15 of the code, whichever is lower; provided, however, that dwelling units with five or more legal bedrooms may apply to the Community Development Director for a w...
Insurance Requirements
Every San Clemente short-term lodging unit owner must carry vacation rental property insurance covering the commercial lodging use and prove it to the city every year. The requirement applies to STLUs and STARs alike under the zoning ordinance's operating standards.
San Clemente STLU Vacation Rental Insurance
Some RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code § 17.28.292(C)(3)
3.Insurance. All STLU owners shall obtain and maintain vacation rental property insurance that covers the commercial lodging use of the site. Proof of insurance shall be provided to the Community Development Director or his or her designee. Proof of insurance for use of property as an STLU must also be resubmitted each year.
Host Presence Rule
A Short-term Apartment Rental in San Clemente must have its owner or a trained property manager sleep on the property every night a unit is rented. This applies only to STARs, the STLU subtype allowed in residential zones where general vacation rentals are not permitted.
San Clemente STAR Owner Must Sleep On-Site
Significant RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code § 17.28.292(D)
A STAR owner or the owner's trained and qualified property manager must operate the STAR and must sleep within a habitable room in a unit on the property every night that a unit in the STAR is rented for short-term lodging purposes. The Director of Community Development shall develop reasonable and appropriate standards for property-manager training and qualification and shall submit them to th...
Repeat Violator Strikes
San Clemente can revoke a short-term lodging unit's operating license after three conclusively established code violations tied to that unit within any 12-month period, or immediately after a single violation that seriously threatens public health or safety. A hearing officer decides the case and can impose added conditions instead of revoking, under Municipal Code § 3.24.067.
San Clemente STR Three-Strikes Revocation Rule
Significant RestrictionsSan Clemente Municipal Code § 3.24.067
If an STLU owner or operator is conclusively found to have committed either (1) three violations of this code, including any violation of the STLU zoning permit conditions, for a particular STLU within any 12-month period, or (2) a single violation of this code that results in a serious threat to the public health, safety, or welfare, then a hearing will be held in accordance with Sections 3.24...
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Clemente city rules.
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