ADU Rental Restrictions: Chula Vista vs El Cajon
How do adu rental restrictions rules compare between Chula Vista, CA and El Cajon, CA?
El Cajon has fewer restrictions than Chula Vista.
Chula Vista, CA
San Diego County
Chula Vista ADUs may only be rented for terms of 30 days or more, per CVMC Title 19 and California Government Code §65852.2(a)(7). Short-term rentals under 30 days require a separate STR permit under CVMC Chapter 5.68 (Ord. 3514, 2022), and ADUs created after Jan. 1, 2020 are statutorily ineligible for STR use. Long-term rental is permitted without separate licensing.
View full Chula Vista rules →El Cajon, CA
San Diego County
El Cajon ADUs may only be rented for terms of 30 days or more under California Government Code §65852.2(a)(7). Short-term rentals under 30 days are not authorized for ADUs created after January 1, 2020. El Cajon has no broad citywide short-term rental permit program in the municipal code; long-term rental of an ADU is permitted without separate city licensing, subject to standard landlord-tenant law.
View full El Cajon rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chula Vista | El Cajon |
|---|---|---|
| Long-Term (30+ days) | Permitted | Permitted, no separate license |
| Short-Term (<30 days) | Prohibited for ADUs | Prohibited for ADUs |
| State Law | Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(7) | Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(7) |
| STR Code | CVMC Ch. 5.68 (Ord. 3514, 2022) | - |
| STR Fines | $100 – $2,000 per violation | - |
| Citywide STR Program | - | No comprehensive ordinance |
| TOT | - | Required for any lodging under ECMC Title 3 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chula Vista FAQ
Can I rent my Chula Vista ADU on Airbnb?
No. California Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(7) and CVMC Title 19 require ADU rentals to be 30 days or longer. ADUs are not eligible for STR permits under CVMC Chapter 5.68, even though the primary dwelling on the lot may be.
Does my Chula Vista long-term ADU rental need a permit?
No separate permit is required for rentals of 30 days or more. Standard California landlord-tenant rules apply. The STR program in CVMC Ch. 5.68 only applies to rentals under 30 days, which are not available for ADUs.
El Cajon FAQ
Can I rent my El Cajon ADU on Airbnb?
No. California Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(7) and ECMC Title 17 require ADU rentals to be 30 days or longer. Short-term rental of an ADU is not permitted, and the El Cajon Code Compliance Division can cite ADU short-term listings.
Does my El Cajon long-term ADU rental need a city permit?
No separate permit is required for rentals of 30 days or more. Standard California landlord-tenant law applies, including the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482) where the property qualifies. Rent should be reported as income.
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