Host Presence Rule: Los Angeles vs San Diego
How do host presence rule rules compare between Los Angeles, CA and San Diego, CA?
Los Angeles has fewer restrictions than San Diego.
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles does not require the host to be physically present during a home-share rental, but the dwelling must remain the host's primary residence and the host must hold a valid Home-Sharing Registration under LAMC §12.22 A.32.
View full Los Angeles rules →San Diego, CA
San Diego County
San Diego's STR Ordinance (effective 2023) caps Tier 3 whole-home rentals at 1 percent of housing stock and requires the licensee's primary residence under SDMC §510.0102, while Tier 4 Mission Beach allows non-primary at 30 percent cap.
View full San Diego rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Los Angeles | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Host onsite required | No, presence not mandated | - |
| Primary residence rule | Yes, registered residence only | - |
| Annual cap | 120 nights without extended permit | - |
| Registration | HSR number required | - |
| Fine range | Up to $2,000 per day | - |
| Code section | - | SDMC §510.0102 |
| Effective | - | May 1, 2023 |
| Tier 3 cap | - | ~1% housing stock |
| Tier 3 rule | - | Primary residence only |
| Tier 4 | - | Mission Beach 30% |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Los Angeles FAQ
Can I travel and rent out my whole house in LA?
Yes, unhosted whole-home stays are allowed if the property is your registered primary residence and you stay within the 120-night annual cap or hold an Extended Home-Share permit.
Do I need a roommate present during the rental?
No. LAMC §12.22 A.32 does not require the host or any occupant to be physically onsite during a guest stay, only that the dwelling be the host's primary residence.
San Diego FAQ
Can I rent out my second home in San Diego on Airbnb?
Only in Mission Beach under Tier 4, which allows non-primary whole-home STRs up to 30 percent of units. Elsewhere in the city Tier 3 requires the licensee's primary residence with documentation.
How do I get a Tier 3 license?
Apply to the City Treasurer's STR program. New Tier 3 licenses are issued by lottery when allocations open up, since the citywide cap of about 1 percent of housing units is currently fully subscribed.
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