Vista Municipal Code Chapter 8.34 does not impose an annual night cap on short-term rentals. Permitted operators may rent year-round in stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days, subject to occupancy limits (double the bedrooms plus one), exterior contact-sign rules, and the no-events restriction.
Unlike cities such as San Diego and parts of Los Angeles County that cap home-share or whole-home rentals at a fixed number of nights per year, Vista's STR ordinance (VMC Chapter 8.34, effective July 1, 2024) contains no annual or monthly night cap. The ordinance regulates STRs by permit, occupancy, exterior signage, the 24/7 local contact, and a prohibition on events such as weddings and commercial filming, but it does not limit how many nights per year a property may be booked. The only stay-length boundary is the STR definition itself: any rental of 30 consecutive days or fewer. An individual owner may operate up to five STRs in Vista. Transient Occupancy Tax (10%) is remitted quarterly on the nights actually booked. Confirm any local rule changes with the Vista Planning Division at 760.639.6100 before relying on year-round operation, and check HOA CC&Rs separately, which may impose private night limits the city does not.
There is no city ordinance citation tied to exceeding a night cap because Vista does not impose one. However, operating without a current STR Permit, Business License, or TOT Certificate triggers VMC 8.34 administrative citations of $500, $1,000, and $1,500 per violation.
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