Insurance Requirements: Encinitas vs San Diego
How do insurance requirements rules compare between Encinitas, CA and San Diego, CA?
Encinitas has fewer restrictions than San Diego.
Encinitas, CA
San Diego County
Encinitas Municipal Code 9.38.040 requires short-term rental operators to maintain liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 covering the rental operations for the entire permit term.
View full Encinitas rules →San Diego, CA
San Diego County
San Diego's STRO ordinance requires hosts to maintain active Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificates and Rental Unit Business Tax accounts. Hosts who are not property owners must also hold a Business Tax Certificate and provide a right-to-occupy document. Liability insurance is strongly recommended though specific minimum coverage amounts are governed by platform requirements rather than the municipal code.
View full San Diego rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Encinitas | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Code | EMC 9.38.040 | - |
| Minimum Coverage | $1,000,000 | - |
| Continuous Coverage | Required entire permit term | - |
| General Policy | Allowed if STR is included | - |
| Lapse | Automatic permit revocation | - |
| Permit Fee | $425/year | - |
| TOT | 10% (2% to beach replenishment) | - |
| TOT Certificate | - | Active certificate required for all hosts |
| Business Tax | - | Rental Unit Business Tax account mandatory |
| Non-Owners | - | Business Tax Certificate + right-to-occupy document |
| Licensing | - | Non-transferable; one license per host |
| Effective Date | - | Licensing required since May 1, 2023 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Encinitas FAQ
How much liability insurance does Encinitas require for an STR?
At least $1,000,000 in liability coverage, maintained for the entire permit term, under EMC 9.38.040.
Does my Airbnb host protection policy satisfy the requirement?
Typically no. Encinitas requires you to provide a copy of an STR-specific or general liability policy showing $1M coverage. Platform host-protection programs are usually not accepted on their own.
What happens if my insurance lapses during the permit period?
Permit approval is automatically revoked unless evidence of renewal is provided to the city in advance of the policy expiration.
San Diego FAQ
What insurance do I need to operate an STR in San Diego?
The STRO ordinance requires TOT and business tax compliance. Most hosting platforms provide host liability coverage, but additional landlord or short-term rental insurance is recommended.
How much are STRO license fees?
As of March 2025, application fees range from $33-$41 plus licensing fees of $193-$1,129 depending on the tier.
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