STR rules by city / San Diego, CA
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San Diego, CA short-term-rental rules
San Diego requires a Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) license to rent a dwelling for fewer than one month, with a tier that depends on how the home is used and where it is located.
What does San Diego, CA require?
San Diego requires a Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) license to rent a dwelling for fewer than one month, with a tier that depends on how the home is used and where it is located.
How much is the San Diego permit fee?
By tier (application + license fee): Tier 1 Part-Time $33 + $193; Tier 2 Home Sharing $33 + $284; Tier 3 Whole-Home $41 + $1,129; Tier 4 Mission Beach Whole-Home $41 + $1,129.
How often do I renew?
Every two years. STRO licenses expire two years from the date of issuance and may then be renewed.
Does it have to be my primary residence?
It depends on the tier. Tier 1 (part-time) and Tier 2 (home sharing) turn on how you use your own home; Tier 3 and Tier 4 cover whole-home rentals, which are limited in number.
What else should I know?
- The tier is set by the type of dwelling, the number of rental days, and the property's location in the city.
- Whole-home tiers (3 and 4) are capped and were allocated through a lottery.
Source: City of San Diego — Office of the City Treasurer, Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO). Verified as of July 4, 2026. Rules change, so confirm the current requirement with your city before you submit.
San Diego, CA short-term-rental permit questions
- Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in San Diego, CA?
- San Diego requires a Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) license to rent a dwelling for fewer than one month, with a tier that depends on how the home is used and where it is located.
- How much does a San Diego short-term-rental permit cost?
- By tier (application + license fee): Tier 1 Part-Time $33 + $193; Tier 2 Home Sharing $33 + $284; Tier 3 Whole-Home $41 + $1,129; Tier 4 Mission Beach Whole-Home $41 + $1,129.
- How often do I renew my San Diego short-term-rental registration?
- Every two years. STRO licenses expire two years from the date of issuance and may then be renewed.
- Does my San Diego short-term rental have to be my primary residence?
- It depends on the tier. Tier 1 (part-time) and Tier 2 (home sharing) turn on how you use your own home; Tier 3 and Tier 4 cover whole-home rentals, which are limited in number.
Ready to register in San Diego?
The $49 Permit Packet turns these rules into a pre-filled, submission-ready registration packet plus a renewal calendar, with every requirement cited to San Diego's primary source. You review it, then submit it to the city.
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STRPermitKit is an independent document-preparation tool — not legal advice, not affiliated with Airbnb, Vrbo, or any city government; verify all requirements with your city.