San Diego, CA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in San Diego, CA, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- License Required
- STRO License (3 tiers)
- Whole-Home Cap
- 1% of housing units
- Mission Beach Cap
- 30% of housing
- Effective Date
- May 2022
- Code Section
- SDMC 30.18-30.20
Summary
San Diego requires a Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) license under SDMC Sections 30.18-30.20 for any rental under 30 days. Three license tiers exist with caps: whole-home rentals limited to 1% of the city's housing units (30% in Mission Beach). Active TOT certificate and Rental Unit Business Tax required.
It is unlawful to operate a STRO without an STRO license on or after May 1, 2023. [...] The STRO Ordinance requires a license for all STROs of a dwelling unit, or part thereof, for less than one month within the City of San Diego. [...] A Host may obtain a maximum of one license at a time in one of the following four (4) STRO license tiers: Tier 1 — Rented for an aggregate of 20 days or less per year; the Host does not need to reside onsite during the STRO. Tier 2 (Home Sharing) — Renting a room or rooms in the home for more than 20 days per year so long as the Host resides onsite; the Host may be absent from the permanent residence during the whole home STRO for up to 90 days per calendar year. Tier 3 (Whole Home, excluding Mission Beach) — Rentals for more than 20 days per year where the Host does not reside onsite. Tier 4 (Mission Beach Whole Home). [...] The ordinance requires STRO utilization for a minimum of 90 days each year during the term of the license in order to maintain a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license (§510.0107(c)).
Full Breakdown
The San Diego STRO ordinance (Sections 30.18-30.20, effective May 2022) establishes a three-tier licensing system. Tier 1 (Home-Sharing): Host must be a primary resident sharing their home while present. Tier 2 (Home-Sharing, host absent): Primary resident may rent the entire unit while away, limited to 20 days per year without additional license. Tier 3 (Whole-Home Rental): Allows year-round short-term rental; subject to citywide cap of 1% of total housing units and 30% cap for the Mission Beach Community Planning Area. A lottery system is used when Tier 3 applications exceed the cap. All hosts must hold an active Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate, current Rental Unit Business Tax (RUBT) account, and comply with Good Neighbor Policy. Platforms must verify active STRO licenses before listing.
Violations & Fines
Administrative citations up to $1,000 per infraction. Civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation for repeated or severe non-compliance. Unlicensed short-term rental operation subject to enforcement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to Airbnb in San Diego?
What is the difference between Tier 1, 2, and 3?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego
How San Diego compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
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Short-Term Rental Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Diego County handle short-term rental permits.