Is Airbnb legal in San Diego, CA?
RestrictedThese rules are changing or in active litigation. Verify the current status directly before you rely on it.
Airbnb is restricted in San Diego, CA
A four-tier license system. Whole-home (Tier 3) licenses are capped at 1 percent of city housing and awarded by lottery, so a license may be unavailable even if you qualify.
Verified July 2026. Not legal advice. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Confirm with the city before you list.
Key rules at a glance
Permit or registration
Required
Primary residence only
No
Annual night cap
Not confirmed
Registration fee
See ordinance
How short-term rentals work in San Diego
A four-tier license system. Whole-home (Tier 3) licenses are capped at 1 percent of city housing and awarded by lottery, so a license may be unavailable even if you qualify.
Non-owner investors can operate in San Diego, but within the city's limits above. Read the ordinance closely before you buy, because permits, caps, or zoning can make a specific property ineligible.
At the state level, California leaves short-term rental rules to cities and counties.
What it means for investors
An STR can still work in San Diego, but the limits shrink the pool of eligible properties and add compliance cost. Underwrite conservatively and confirm the specific address qualifies before you commit.
Short-term rental rules elsewhere in California
Last reviewed July 2026. Informational and educational only, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Verify the current ordinance with your local jurisdiction or counsel before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Is Airbnb legal in San Diego?
A four-tier license system. Whole-home (Tier 3) licenses are capped at 1 percent of city housing and awarded by lottery, so a license may be unavailable even if you qualify. This reflects the rules as of July 2026; confirm the current ordinance with the city before you list.
Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in San Diego?
Yes. San Diego requires a permit or registration to operate a short-term rental, and platforms increasingly require the permit number on the listing.
Can I run a non-owner-occupied Airbnb in San Diego?
Yes, San Diego does not require you to live in the property, though other limits such as caps, zoning, or licensing may still apply.
Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent in San Diego?
No specific annual night cap was confirmed for San Diego, though minimum-stay rules or license caps may effectively limit operations. Check the ordinance.
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in San Diego?
Short-term rentals in San Diego are generally subject to state and local lodging or occupancy taxes on top of income tax. Airbnb and VRBO collect some of these automatically, but not always all of them, so confirm the current rate and who remits it with California and the city.