Registration Rules: Los Angeles vs San Diego
How do registration rules rules compare between Los Angeles, CA and San Diego, CA?
Los Angeles and San Diego have similar restriction levels.
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
LA requires Home-Sharing Registration through the Planning Department HSR system. Primary-residence-only, 89 dollar fee, registration number must appear on all platform listings.
View full Los Angeles rules →San Diego, CA
San Diego County
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 →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Los Angeles | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 89 dollars | - |
| Primary residence | 6+ months per year required | - |
| Registration display | Required on all listings | - |
| Renewal | Annual | - |
| Max fine | 2,000 dollars per day | - |
| 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.
Los Angeles FAQ
Can I rent out a second home or investment property?
No. LA restricts short-term rentals to primary residences only. Rent-controlled units and post-2016 ADUs are also ineligible under the HSO.
Do I still need to register for a small number of bookings?
Yes. Any short-term rental of fewer than 30 consecutive days requires HSR registration, regardless of how few nights you plan to host.
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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