San Diego, California

Short-Term Rental Regulations — San Diego County

Conditional

STR Status

Permit: RequiredMin Stay: 2Business License Required
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/19/2026
2Min. Night Stay

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
License CostTier 1: $226 ($33 application + $193 license); Tier 2: $317 ($33 + $284); Tier 3: $1,170 ($41 + $1,129); Tier 4: $1,170 ($41 + $1,129)
Renewalevery 2 years
Business License RequiredYes
WaitlistYes

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredNot specified
Primary Residence RequiredNot specified
Insurance RequiredNot specified

Limits & Restrictions

Minimum Night Stay2
Density / Distance Cap1% of San Diego's total housing units outside Mission Beach; 30% of Mission Beach CPA
Parking RequiredNot specified

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOTContact city for rates

Zoning Restrictions

  • Applies to all zones; ADUs prohibited; companion units permitted before Oct 15 2017 exempted

Official Sources

sandiego.gov/treasurer/short-term-residential-occupancy
Data confidence: 95%Last updated: June 6, 2026

Short-term rental rules in San Diego, California

Short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo) in San Diego, California are allowed under certain conditions. Operators must obtain a permit (fee: Tier 1: $226 ($33 application ).

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in San Diego, California?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed under certain conditions in San Diego, California.

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in San Diego?

A short-term rental permit is required, a business license is also required, the fee is Tier 1: $226 ($33 application .

Are there stay limits for short-term rentals in San Diego?

Yes — San Diego sets a minimum stay of 2 nights.

Where do these San Diego short-term rental rules come from?

These details are verified against San Diego's official short-term rental ordinance and updated when the rules change.

Always verify before you buy. Short-term-rental rules change often and may not be fully current here. Confirm directly with San Diego, San Diego County, or California authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.