8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 9 cities in San Diego County, California.
Verified from official government sources
San Diego County requires a Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) permit for vacation rentals in unincorporated areas under Zoning Ordinance Section 6900 et seq. Both hosted and un-hosted rentals need permits. Operators must obtain a TOT certificate and maintain good neighbor policies.
Short-term rental properties in unincorporated San Diego County must comply with the county's general noise ordinance. No separate STR-specific noise rules exist. Residential noise limits of 50 dBA day / 45 dBA night apply at the property line.
San Diego County imposes an 8% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on short-term rentals of 30 days or fewer in unincorporated areas. Operators must register with the County Treasurer-Tax Collector and remit TOT quarterly.
Unincorporated San Diego County does not impose STR-specific parking requirements. Standard residential parking rules apply. Street parking limited to 72 consecutive hours. Guests should use available on-site parking where possible.
Unincorporated San Diego County does not have a specific short-term rental occupancy ordinance with numeric caps. STR operators must comply with zoning, building codes, and septic/water system capacity. General nuisance provisions apply to overcrowding.
California Health and Safety Code § 17920.3 (Substandard buildings — conditions deemed substandard, including overcrowding and habitability)
29] ( Chapter 2 added by Stats. 1961, Ch. 1844. ) 17920.3. Any building or portion thereof, regardless of zoning designation or approved uses of the building, including any dwelling unit, guestroom or suite of rooms, or the premises on which the same is located, in which there exists any of the following listed conditions to an extent that endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety, or ...
Unincorporated San Diego County does not mandate specific liability insurance minimums for short-term rental operators. However, California law and standard practice recommend liability coverage. Platforms like Airbnb provide host protection insurance.
Unincorporated San Diego County imposes no annual night cap on short-term rentals. Unlike the City of San Diego's tiered STRO program, the County does not require a short-term rental license or limit rental nights per year. Operators must register for a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate (effective July 1, 2024) and remit 8% TOT for stays of 30 days or less.
San Diego County requires a Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) permit for vacation rentals in unincorporated areas under Zoning Ordinance Section 6900 et seq. Both hosted and un-hosted rentals need permits. Operators must obtain a TOT certificate and maintain good neighbor policies.
9 cities in San Diego County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
9 verified rules • Host Presence Rule, Insurance Requirements
8 verified rules • Insurance Requirements, Night Caps
8 verified rules • Insurance Requirements, Night Caps
8 verified rules • Insurance Requirements, Night Caps
8 verified rules • Insurance Requirements, Night Caps
8 verified rules • Insurance Requirements, Night Caps
8 verified rules • Insurance Requirements, Night Caps
6 verified rules • Insurance Requirements, Noise Rules
6 verified rules • Insurance Requirements, Noise Rules
See every category we cover for San Diego County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
San Diego County Ordinance Hub →