Night Caps: Bostonia vs Vista

Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent my property in unincorporated San Diego County?

No. The County has not adopted a short-term rental ordinance with an annual night cap. Unlike the City of San Diego, which restricts most non-primary-residence whole-home rentals through its tiered STRO licensing program, the unincorporated County does not impose night limits. You must, however, register for a TOT certificate and remit 8% Transient Occupancy Tax on stays of 30 days or less.

Do I need a permit or license from the County to short-term rent in an unincorporated area?

No business license is required, but you must register through the County of San Diego TOT portal (tot.sdttc.com) and obtain a TOT certificate. The TOT certificate is explicitly not a permit to operate and does not excuse you from complying with zoning, building, fire, and health rules. Coastal-zone properties may also be subject to California Coastal Commission jurisdiction.

Does this apply if my property is inside a city like Chula Vista or Encinitas?

No. The County Zoning Ordinance and the County TOT apply only in the unincorporated area. Each incorporated city in San Diego County (San Diego, Chula Vista, Carlsbad, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Oceanside, Poway, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, Vista) administers its own STR ordinance, license, and TOT rate.

Does Vista limit how many nights per year I can rent on Airbnb?

No. VMC Chapter 8.34 does not impose an annual or monthly night cap on short-term rentals. As long as you hold a valid Business License, TOT Certificate, and STR Permit, you may host year-round in stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days. The ordinance instead regulates occupancy, signage, the 24/7 local contact, and prohibits events. Check HOA CC&Rs separately, which may impose stricter limits.

How many short-term rentals can one owner operate in Vista?

Per reporting on Vista's STR ordinance, an individual owner is limited to operating a maximum of five short-term rentals in the city. There is no overall city-wide cap on the percentage or total number of STRs allowed. Confirm current limits with the Vista Planning Division at 760.639.6100 before acquiring additional properties.