Permit Requirements: El Cajon vs San Diego
How do permit requirements rules compare between El Cajon, CA and San Diego, CA?
El Cajon has fewer restrictions than San Diego.
El Cajon, CA
San Diego County
El Cajon requires a short-term rental permit under Municipal Code Section 17.120 and a TOT certificate. ADUs may not be used for STRs. Compliance with noise, parking, and occupancy regulations is mandatory.
View full El Cajon rules →San Diego, CA
San Diego County
San Diego requires a Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) license under SDMC Sections 30.18-30.20 for any rental under 30 days. Three license tiers exist with caps: whole-home rentals limited to 1% of the city's housing units (30% in Mission Beach). Active TOT certificate and Rental Unit Business Tax required.
View full San Diego rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | El Cajon | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | STR permit required | - |
| TOT | Certificate required | - |
| ADUs | No STR (30+ days only) | - |
| Code | ECMC §17.120 | - |
| License Required | - | STRO License (3 tiers) |
| Whole-Home Cap | - | 1% of housing units |
| Mission Beach Cap | - | 30% of housing |
| Effective Date | - | May 2022 |
| Code Section | - | SDMC 30.18-30.20 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
El Cajon FAQ
Do I need a permit to list my property on Airbnb in El Cajon?
El Cajon requires a short-term rental permit under Municipal Code Section 17.120 and a TOT certificate. ADUs may not be used for STRs. Compliance with noise, parking, and occupancy regulations is mandatory.
What are the short-term rental registration requirements in El Cajon?
Permit: STR permit required. TOT: Certificate required. ADUs: No STR (30+ days only). Code: ECMC §17.120.
San Diego FAQ
Do I need a permit to Airbnb in San Diego?
Yes, all short-term rentals (under 30 days) require a STRO license from the City Treasurer's Office. You also need an active TOT certificate and Rental Unit Business Tax account.
What is the difference between Tier 1, 2, and 3?
Tier 1: home-share while present. Tier 2: primary residence rented while away (20-day limit without Tier 3). Tier 3: year-round whole-home rental, subject to citywide cap and lottery.
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