ADU Rental Restrictions: El Cajon vs Escondido
How do adu rental restrictions rules compare between El Cajon, CA and Escondido, CA?
El Cajon has fewer restrictions than Escondido.
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 →Escondido, CA
San Diego County
Escondido prohibits short-term rentals citywide. The City does not issue STR permits, and ADU rental terms of 30 days or more are required. Long-term ADU rentals are permitted without separate licensing. State law (Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(7)) likewise mandates that ADUs permitted after January 1, 2020 be rented for terms of 30 days or more. Hotel and motel uses are confined to commercial zoning districts under the Escondido Zoning Code.
View full Escondido rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | El Cajon | Escondido |
|---|---|---|
| Long-Term (30+ days) | Permitted, no separate license | Permitted |
| Short-Term (<30 days) | Prohibited for ADUs | Prohibited citywide |
| State Law | Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(7) | Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(7) |
| Citywide STR Program | No comprehensive ordinance | - |
| TOT | Required for any lodging under ECMC Title 3 | - |
| STR Permit Program | - | None offered |
| Hotel/Motel Zones | - | Commercial only (CUP required) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Escondido FAQ
Can I rent my Escondido ADU on Airbnb?
No. The City of Escondido does not permit short-term rentals (under 30 days). All residential rentals, including ADUs, must be for terms of 30 days or more. Listing on Airbnb or VRBO for nightly stays exposes the property to code enforcement and fines.
Are there any STR permits available in Escondido?
No. The Planning Division has stated the City does not permit short-term rentals within City limits, and there is no registration or transient occupancy permitting program for residential properties. Hotel use is only allowed in commercial zones with a conditional use permit.
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