Insurance Requirements: Los Angeles vs San Diego
How do insurance requirements rules compare between Los Angeles, CA and San Diego, CA?
Los Angeles has fewer restrictions than San Diego.
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
The Home-Sharing Ordinance does not mandate a specific insurance policy, but standard homeowner or renter policies typically exclude commercial activity. The city strongly recommends dedicated STR insurance covering guest injury, property damage, and legal defense. Hosting platforms like Airbnb provide supplemental coverage but it may have gaps.
View full Los Angeles 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 | Los Angeles | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Mandate | No specific policy required by city | - |
| Recommendation | Dedicated STR insurance strongly advised | - |
| Homeowner Policy | Typically excludes commercial hosting | - |
| Platform Coverage | May have gaps in liability | - |
| 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.
Los Angeles FAQ
Does my homeowner insurance cover short-term rentals?
Often no. Standard homeowner policies may exclude commercial rental activity. Check with your insurer about adding a rider.
Does Airbnb insurance satisfy local requirements?
Platform-provided insurance may not meet Los Angeles requirements. Verify with your local permitting office.
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.
Compare other topics
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