Short-term rental permit rules in Encinitas, CA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Encinitas requires a Short-Term Rental (STR) permit under Chapter 5.26 for any rental of 30 days or fewer. The city caps the total number of non-hosted STR permits and requires annual renewal. Hosted rentals where the owner is present have different requirements. All STRs must register with the city and obtain a TOT certificate.
EMC Chapter 5.26 establishes a comprehensive STR regulatory framework effective since 2023. Non-hosted STRs (where the owner is not present) are capped citywide and distributed among community zones. Hosted STRs (owner on-site during the stay) are not subject to the cap but still require permits. All STR operators must obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit from Development Services, a Transient Occupancy Tax certificate, and proof of liability insurance with minimum $1 million coverage. Properties must pass a life-safety inspection including working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and posted emergency information. Permits are non-transferable and expire annually. The property must be the owner's primary residence for hosted STRs. Good Neighbor Policy compliance is mandatory with a 24-hour local contact person required.
Operating without a permit is subject to fines starting at $1,000 per violation per day. Permit revocation for three or more substantiated complaints within 12 months. Contact Development Services at (760) 633-2710 or Code Enforcement at (760) 633-2660.
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