CITY RULES · SAN DIEGO, CA

Short-term rental rules in San Diego, CA.

Regulator: City Treasurer, STRO Program. Last checked: Oct 15, 2026. Checked against: review status and sources shown for each claim.

Informational guide, not legal advice. Review dates and sources appear beside individual claims. Unconfirmed research is separated below. Rules and property eligibility can change; confirm requirements with the city before acting.

How we review these rules

Checked against official source The linked official material supports this particular summary as of its review date.
City confirmation needed Official wording conflicts or leaves a property-specific question. Ask the city before relying on it.
Review pending Unconfirmed draft research, separated from the checked summaries and compliance checklist.

Guests: Good to know when booking or staying

These are host rules from the official sources that may show up in a listing or affect your stay.

Other rules: Tier 3 and 4 rentals need at least 90 rental days per year, quarterly reports and a two-night minimum stay. Applicants need an active TOT certificate and paid Rental Unit Business Tax account. Check separate dwelling and ADU eligibility requirements. Checked against official source
Sources: Official source ↗ · Reviewed 2026-10-15

Homeowners: Permits, taxes, caps and pending changes

What the official sources say a host or owner needs in San Diego, CA.

Licence required: STRO licence required (since May 1, 2023). Tiers: 1 (≤20 days/yr), 2 (home sharing, host on site), 3 (whole home), 4 (Mission Beach whole home). One licence per host. Licences last 2 years. Checked against official source
Sources: Official source ↗ · Reviewed 2026-10-15
Caps: Tier 3 capped at 1% of housing units outside Mission Beach; Tier 4 capped at 30% of Mission Beach. As of Oct 9, 2026: Tier 3 has 802 licences remaining; Tier 4 has 0 remaining (8,429 total issued). Checked against official source
Sources: Official source ↗ · Reviewed 2026-10-15
Fees (since Mar 1, 2025): Tier 1 $33 + $193; Tier 2 $33 + $284; Tier 3/4 $41 + $1,129 (application + licence). Checked against official source
Sources: Official source ↗ · Reviewed 2026-10-15
Other rules: Tier 3 and 4 rentals need at least 90 rental days per year, quarterly reports and a two-night minimum stay. Applicants need an active TOT certificate and paid Rental Unit Business Tax account. Check separate dwelling and ADU eligibility requirements. Checked against official source
Sources: Official source ↗ · Reviewed 2026-10-15
Pending / recent: The city's October 9, 2026 snapshot lists 802 Tier 3 licenses available and no Tier 4 availability. These counts can change; consult the city before applying. Checked against official source
Sources: Official source ↗ · Reviewed 2026-10-15

Management clients: Compliance checklist

Items from the rules listed that need ongoing attention. We discuss applicable local rules with each owner before an arrangement begins, and the agreement sets out who is responsible for what.

Licence required: STRO licence required (since May 1, 2023). Tiers: 1 (≤20 days/yr), 2 (home sharing, host on site), 3 (whole home), 4 (Mission Beach whole home). One licence per host. Licences last 2 years. Checked against official source
Sources: Official source ↗ · Reviewed 2026-10-15
Fees (since Mar 1, 2025): Tier 1 $33 + $193; Tier 2 $33 + $284; Tier 3/4 $41 + $1,129 (application + licence). Checked against official source
Sources: Official source ↗ · Reviewed 2026-10-15
Other rules: Tier 3 and 4 rentals need at least 90 rental days per year, quarterly reports and a two-night minimum stay. Applicants need an active TOT certificate and paid Rental Unit Business Tax account. Check separate dwelling and ADU eligibility requirements. Checked against official source
Sources: Official source ↗ · Reviewed 2026-10-15
Pending / recent: The city's October 9, 2026 snapshot lists 802 Tier 3 licenses available and no Tier 4 availability. These counts can change; consult the city before applying. Checked against official source
Sources: Official source ↗ · Reviewed 2026-10-15

NOT YET VERIFIED

What we have not confirmed for San Diego, CA.

TOT rate Not yet verified
Any pending Council changes (page does not list) Not yet verified

Do not rely on anything in this list until it is confirmed on the official city page.

OFFICIAL SOURCES

Read it from the city.

Official source ↗

TOOL FOR HOSTS

Hospitable

Property management software for short-term rental hosts.

Try Hospitable

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