Permit Requirements: San Diego vs Vista
How do permit requirements rules compare between San Diego, CA and Vista, CA?
San Diego and Vista have similar restriction levels.
San Diego, CA
San Diego County
San Diego requires a Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) license under SDMC Sections 30.18-30.20 for any rental under 30 days. Three license tiers exist with caps: whole-home rentals limited to 1% of the city's housing units (30% in Mission Beach). Active TOT certificate and Rental Unit Business Tax required.
View full San Diego rules →Vista, CA
San Diego County
Vista requires an STR Permit, TOT registration, and Business License effective July 1, 2024 under VMC Chapter 8.34. Hosted and non-hosted categories. Two-night minimum for non-hosted rentals. Cap of 5 local STRs per owner.
View full Vista rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Diego | Vista |
|---|---|---|
| License Required | STRO License (3 tiers) | - |
| Whole-Home Cap | 1% of housing units | - |
| Mission Beach Cap | 30% of housing | - |
| Effective Date | May 2022 | - |
| Code Section | SDMC 30.18-30.20 | - |
| Effective | - | July 1, 2024 |
| Per Owner | - | 5 STR max |
| Non-Hosted | - | 2-night minimum |
| Code | - | VMC Ch. 8.34 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Diego FAQ
Do I need a permit to Airbnb in San Diego?
Yes, all short-term rentals (under 30 days) require a STRO license from the City Treasurer's Office. You also need an active TOT certificate and Rental Unit Business Tax account.
What is the difference between Tier 1, 2, and 3?
Tier 1: home-share while present. Tier 2: primary residence rented while away (20-day limit without Tier 3). Tier 3: year-round whole-home rental, subject to citywide cap and lottery.
Vista FAQ
Do I need a permit to list my property on Airbnb in Vista?
Vista requires an STR Permit, TOT registration, and Business License effective July 1, 2024 under VMC Chapter 8.34. Hosted and non-hosted categories. Two-night minimum for non-hosted rentals. Cap of 5 local STRs per owner.
What are the short-term rental registration requirements in Vista?
Effective: July 1, 2024. Per Owner: 5 STR max. Non-Hosted: 2-night minimum. Code: VMC Ch. 8.34.
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