San Diego, CA Short-Term Rentals: Permit Requirements (2026)

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)).