Critical Finding
See whether the property can operate now, what blocks it, and which exception may apply.
Local guide
San Diego Short-Term Rental Laws
Check San Diego STR legality, permits, eligibility, documents, taxes, operating rules, renewal, and official application sources.
- 100+ U.S. cities
- Official sources
- Address used only for local rules
Compliance layers
A Clear Answer, Then a Path Forward.
Address Context
Confirm zoning, current land use, jurisdiction, and the rules that actually govern the address.
Required Approvals
Get the permits, licenses, documents, inspections, and tax registrations needed before launch.
Recommended Path
Follow prioritized next steps, deadlines, renewal duties, and viable alternatives when rules change.
Occupancy tax calculator
Estimate occupancy tax in San Diego
Enter the nightly rate and stay length to estimate the lodging taxes and guest total for this jurisdiction.
- Gross rent$150.00 × 3 nights
- $450.00
- Mandatory taxable feesRequired cleaning, resort, or similar fees included in the tax base.
- $0.00
- San Diego minimum Measure C transient occupancy tax zone (11.75%) $450.00 × 11.75%
- $52.88
- Estimated taxes and fees
- $52.88
Guest pays
Assumptions used
- Modeled tax boundary: The estimate covers San Diego within the jurisdiction and the official tax boundary described by the linked official sources.
- One aggregate mandatory-fee pool: Enter the mandatory lodging fees once in the common charge-breakdown input; the calculator does not infer separate fee categories that the cited authorities treat differently.
What may change the final amount
- San Diego Measure C uses address-based TOT zones of 11.75%, 12.75%, and 13.75%. San Diego Measure C uses address-based TOT zones of 11.75%, 12.75%, and 13.75%; the base uses the lowest official zone and excludes the address-dependent increase.
- Payment or collection timing can split transactions across the Measure C transition. Payment or collection timing can split transactions across the Measure C transition; the calculator does not allocate installment payments.
- The City TMD assessment is separately reported for qualifying lodging businesses and is not included in the ba. The City TMD assessment is separately reported for qualifying lodging businesses and is not included in the base.
Estimated tax is $52.88. Estimated guest total is $502.88.
Estimate only. Verify the property jurisdiction, exemptions, taxable charges, filing duties, and marketplace collection with the linked official sources.
Legal Status
Allowed with the applicable City of San Diego STRO license; availability and requirements depend on license tier.
This guide applies inside the City of San Diego. County unincorporated areas and neighboring cities use different licensing systems, so confirm the address before selecting an STRO tier.
STRO means occupancy of a dwelling unit or part of it for less than one month under the City definition.
San Diego Rules at a Glance
- Jurisdiction
- City of San Diego
- Legal status
- Allowed with the applicable City of San Diego STRO license; availability and requirements depend on license tier.
- Required approval
- San Diego Short-Term Residential Occupancy License
- Government fee
- Application and license fees vary by Tier 1 through Tier 4 and are published on the STRO page.
- Term / renewal
- STRO licenses expire two years from issuance.
- Primary residence
- Primary-residence rules apply to home-share classifications; whole-home tiers use separate criteria and caps.
- Inspection
- The City can investigate compliance and enforce the STRO Ordinance.
Eligibility & Zoning
Choose the correct tier and confirm whether a capped whole-home license remains available for the location.
Confirm the government boundary
Verify that the property is governed by San Diego, not a neighboring city or county authority.
RequiredTest the residency or occupancy rule
Primary-residence rules apply to home-share classifications; whole-home tiers use separate criteria and caps.
RequiredCheck zoning and private restrictions
Choose the correct tier and confirm whether a capped whole-home license remains available for the location.
Required
San Diego Short-Term Residential Occupancy License Overview
Select the STRO tier before assembling documents: hosted activity, whole-home rental days, and Mission Beach location determine both availability and the operating duties that follow approval.
Select the correct STRO tier
Match the planned hosted or whole-home activity and Mission Beach status to Tier 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Complete tax and occupancy prerequisites
Confirm the rental-unit tax account, business certificate, and right-to-occupy records.
Submit the tier application
Use the official application and pay the tier-specific nonrefundable fees.
Maintain the license and reports
Publish the license number, follow operating rules, and renew before the two-year term ends.
City of San Diego STRO Application
Official San Diego information and application entry point.
Documents to Prepare
Active Rental Unit Business Tax account
Confirm the exact rental unit is active in the City Rental Unit Business Tax account before the STRO application is submitted.
RequiredBusiness Tax Certificate when the host is not the owner
A non-owner host must provide the applicable City Business Tax Certificate under the current STRO instructions.
RequiredRight-to-occupy document for a non-owner host
Upload the lease or other right-to-occupy record that connects the non-owner host to the licensed dwelling unit.
RequiredTier-specific host and local-contact information
Use contacts who satisfy the selected tier’s response duties and keep the names and numbers identical across the application and listing.
Required
Operating Rules After Approval
Use only the license tier and dwelling unit approved by the City.
Operate only the licensed dwelling under its approved tier; a change in host, unit or activity can require an update or new review.
RequiredDisplay the STRO license number in advertisements and keep contact information current.
Display the STRO number on every advertisement and update the City promptly when host or local-contact information changes.
RequiredTier 3 and Tier 4 hosts must meet the City’s utilization and quarterly reporting rules.
For Tier 3 or Tier 4, keep the booking evidence needed for the 90-day utilization test and submit the required quarterly reports.
RequiredGovernment approval does not override private restrictions
An STRO license does not authorize a use barred by a lease, HOA or condominium rule. It also does not make an accessory dwelling unit eligible for short-term rental under City code.
Warning
Taxes, Renewal & Enforcement
- Tax layer
- Maintain the required Rental Unit Business Tax account, Business Tax Certificate when applicable, and Transient Occupancy Tax account.
- Filing
- File and remit San Diego TOT according to the schedule assigned by the City Treasurer.
- Renewal
- Renew the STRO license before the two-year expiration and keep prerequisite tax accounts active.
- Deadline
- A valid license is required before operating; Tier 4 Mission Beach applications are currently closed.
- Enforcement
- Operating without a valid license or outside the issued tier can result in enforcement and listing action.
Detailed STRO License Guide
Use the task page when you are ready to prepare and submit the San Diego application.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Are short-term rentals legal in San Diego?
Allowed with the applicable City of San Diego STRO license; availability and requirements depend on license tier.
What approval is required in San Diego?
San Diego Short-Term Residential Occupancy License. A valid license is required before operating; Tier 4 Mission Beach applications are currently closed.
Is a primary residence required in San Diego?
Primary-residence rules apply to home-share classifications; whole-home tiers use separate criteria and caps.
Does a platform collect every San Diego tax?
Maintain the required Rental Unit Business Tax account, Business Tax Certificate when applicable, and Transient Occupancy Tax account. File and remit San Diego TOT according to the schedule assigned by the City Treasurer.