Occupancy Limits: El Cajon vs San Marcos
How do occupancy limits rules compare between El Cajon, CA and San Marcos, CA?
El Cajon and San Marcos have similar restriction levels.
El Cajon, CA
San Diego County
El Cajon regulates short-term rental occupancy through its STR permit conditions. Occupancy limits are typically tied to the number of bedrooms and the property's established capacity. The Transient Occupancy Tax of 10% applies to all stays under 30 days.
View full El Cajon rules →San Marcos, CA
San Diego County
San Marcos does not publish a numeric guest cap (e.g., two-per-bedroom) in its Municipal Code. STRs are generally prohibited in residential zones unless allowed by an applicable Specific Plan, and where allowed are limited to one STR per block or per 660 feet, with a city business license and 10% Transient Occupancy Tax on stays of 30 consecutive days or fewer.
View full San Marcos rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | El Cajon | San Marcos |
|---|---|---|
| Occupancy | Based on bedrooms and building code | - |
| Events/Parties | Subject to enforcement | - |
| TOT Rate | 10% on stays under 30 days | 10% |
| Fire Safety | Heartland Fire & Rescue standards | - |
| Enforcement | Code Compliance — 619-441-1726 | - |
| Numeric Cap | - | Not published in code |
| Zoning | - | Generally prohibited unless Specific Plan allows |
| Density | - | 1 per block or 660 ft |
| Notice Radius | - | 400 ft for new applications |
| TOT Threshold | - | 30 consecutive days or fewer |
| License | - | City business license required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
El Cajon FAQ
How many guests can stay in my El Cajon STR?
Occupancy is based on the number of bedrooms and the building code's established capacity for the dwelling. Check your permit conditions for specific limits.
Can guests have parties at my STR?
Events and gatherings that exceed occupancy or disturb neighbors may result in noise citations and potential permit revocation.
What is the TOT rate for El Cajon STRs?
The Transient Occupancy Tax is 10% of the rent charged for stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb may collect and remit this tax automatically.
San Marcos FAQ
How many guests can stay in a San Marcos short-term rental?
The city does not publish a fixed numeric guest cap. The bigger gating issue is zoning: STRs are generally prohibited in residential zones unless an applicable Specific Plan allows them on the parcel.
Does San Diego County's STR ordinance apply inside San Marcos?
No. The County's STRO ordinance (San Diego County Code Sections 21.2901-21.2913) governs unincorporated areas only. Inside the City of San Marcos, the city's zoning rules and business-license requirements apply.
What if my Specific Plan does not address STRs?
If a Specific Plan does not expressly authorize short-term rental as an allowed use on your parcel, the use is prohibited. Confirm with the San Marcos Planning Division at (760) 744-1050 ext. 3204 or planningdivision@san-marcos.net before listing.
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