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🏠 Short-Term Rentals/Registration Rules

Registration Rules: Escondido vs San Diego

How do registration rules rules compare between Escondido, CA and San Diego, CA?

Escondido and San Diego have similar restriction levels.

Escondido, CA

San Diego County

Heavy Restrictions

TOT + STR Permit + business license (July 2025). 2% cap. Application: ownership, floor plan, parking.

View full Escondido rules β†’

San Diego, CA

San Diego County

Heavy Restrictions

San Diego requires STRO licenses under a strict four-tier system effective May 2023. Whole-home STRs capped at 1% of housing stock (~5,400 citywide). Mission Beach allows 30% (~1,100). Fees range from $100 to $1,000 annually.

View full San Diego rules β†’

Key Facts Comparison

FactEscondidoSan Diego
RequiredTOT + Permit + License-
Cap2%-
EffectiveJuly 2025-
ApplicationOwnership + plans-
TOTMust collect-
System-4-tier STRO license
Whole-Home Cap-1% of housing (~5,400)
Mission Beach-30% cap (~1,100)
Fees-$100–$1,000/year

Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.

Escondido FAQ

What needed?

TOT registration, STR Permit, business license.

When?

July 1, 2025.

Cap?

2% of housing units.

San Diego FAQ

How many STR licenses can I have?

One license per host. You may not operate more than one dwelling unit for STRO at a time. Licenses are non-transferable.

Can I rent my ADU as a short-term rental?

Only if the ADU received its certificate of occupancy before January 1, 2020. Newer ADUs cannot be used for STRs.

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