Short-term rental permit rules in Escondido, CA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Escondido requires an STR Permit, TOT registration, and City Business License effective July 1, 2025 under EMC Chapter 16, Article 8. Annual fee of $250 plus $231 inspection fee. Cap of 250 permits citywide before council review.
EMC Chapter 16, Article 8 was approved January 29, 2025, regulating short-term rentals. Effective July 1, 2025, all STRs must have an approved TOT registration permit, STR Permit, and City Business License. The permit portal went live July 7, 2025. Annual fees are $250 plus a $231 inspection fee. STRs may be permitted in single-family detached homes, duplexes, two- and three-family dwellings, and townhomes. Multifamily units have a cap of 25 STR permits citywide. Total permit cap is 250 before further council review. STRs must not be located within 500 feet of a school. Code Compliance began investigating unpermitted rentals in September 2025. Quiet hours 10 PM to 7 AM apply to all STR guests. Guests must use only on-site parking spaces.
Escalating fines: $1,000 first violation, $3,000 second, $5,000 third within 12 months. Three violations in a year lead to permit revocation.
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