San Diego, CA

San Diego enforces quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM in residential zones. The daytime limit is 60 dB and nighttime drops to 50 dB, measured at the property line. What's unusual about San Diego is the "one dB over ambient" rule for HVAC and mechanical equipment — your AC unit can't be more than 1 dB above the existing background noise at your neighbor's property. This catches a lot of homeowners off guard when they install new heat pumps or pool equipment. Complaints go through the city's Environmental Services department or through police non-emergency.

San Diego overhauled its short-term rental rules in 2022 with one of the most detailed frameworks in California. There are now three tiers. Tier 1 is home-sharing — you rent out part of your primary residence while you're there, no limit on nights. Tier 2 is whole-home rental of your primary residence, limited to the city-wide cap. Tier 3 was a temporary grandfathering for existing operators in Mission Beach, but most of those have expired. You need a Short-Term Residential Occupancy License, and the annual fee is $1,066 for whole-home rentals. The city also charges 10.5% Transient Occupancy Tax.

San Diego allows backyard chickens on most residential properties but the specifics depend on your lot size and zone. On lots under 5,000 square feet, you can keep up to 5 hens. Lots between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet get up to 15. Larger lots allow up to 25. Roosters are banned on all residential lots under 1 acre. Your coop needs a 5-foot setback from side property lines and 13 feet from neighboring homes. San Diego doesn't require a permit for standard chicken keeping but you do need to register with the County Department of Animal Services.