Occupancy Limits: Escondido vs San Diego
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Escondido, CA and San Diego, CA?
Escondido has fewer restrictions than San Diego.
Escondido, CA
San Diego County
Escondido limits STR occupancy to 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional, capped at 10 overnight guests total, with daytime events limited by parking capacity under Municipal Code Title 19.
View full Escondido rules →San Diego, CA
San Diego County
San Diego's Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) ordinance under SDMC Chapter 5, Article 10, Division 1 establishes occupancy limits tied to the license tier. A two-night minimum guest stay is required for Tier 2 (home-sharing), Tier 3 (whole-home), and Tier 4 (Mission Beach whole-home) licenses. Hosts must post exterior signage with TOT certificate number, STRO license number, and contact information. Good Neighbor policies apply to all tiers.
View full San Diego rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Escondido | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Formula | 2 per bedroom + 2 additional | - |
| Maximum Overnight | 10 guests total | - |
| Children Under 2 | Not counted | - |
| Posted Notice | Required inside unit | - |
| Response Time | Local contact within 60 min | - |
| Code Section | - | SDMC Ch. 5, Art. 10, Div. 1 |
| Minimum Stay | - | 2-night minimum for Tiers 2, 3, and 4 |
| Tier 1 | - | Part-time; max 20 days/year aggregate |
| Tier 3 | - | Whole-home; host not onsite; 90-day min utilization |
| Signage | - | Exterior posting of TOT and STRO license numbers required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Escondido FAQ
Can I host a wedding or large party at an Escondido STR?
Not without a special event permit. Daytime gatherings exceeding the overnight occupancy cap or parking capacity require separate city approval.
Do infants count toward occupancy limits?
No — children under age 2 are not counted toward Escondido's STR occupancy cap.
San Diego FAQ
Is there a maximum guest count per STR unit?
Occupancy must comply with the building's permitted occupancy load. Good Neighbor requirements prohibit exceeding safe occupancy and require quiet hours compliance.
Can I rent my ADU as a short-term rental?
ADUs may be eligible for STRO licensing depending on the tier. Check with the City Treasurer's office for current eligibility requirements.
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