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Is Airbnb legal in San Diego, California?

Legal with a tiered license — investor tier is rationed. San Diego's tiered STRO system allows investor whole-home rentals (Tier 3), but licenses are capped at 1% of city housing stock and running out — check live availability before buying.

Showing the researched rules for San Diego, CA below. Type your San Diego address to jump to the verdict.

Legal with permit

Legal with a tiered license — investor tier is rationed

San Diego's tiered STRO system allows investor whole-home rentals (Tier 3), but licenses are capped at 1% of city housing stock and running out — check live availability before buying.

Permit and costs

Permit
STRO License (Short-Term Residential Occupancy)
Issued by
City of San Diego
Cost
Tier 3: $1,170 / 2 years
Renewal
Every 2 years

Key limits

Tier 3 investor cap
1% of housing stock (~800 left)
Tier 2 home-share
Host must live there 275+ days/yr
Tier 1 part-time
Max 20 days/yr, no residency rule
One STR per owner
Across all tiers

Taxes

Transient occupancy tax
11.75–13.75% by location

Registration checklist

  1. 1
    Get a TOT certificate
    Prerequisite — no TOT certificate, no license.
  2. 2
    Identify your tier and apply
    STRO portal; Tier 3 enters the waitlist once the cap is hit.
  3. 3
    Report quarterly
    Tier 3 hosts file quarterly activity reports; 2-night minimum stays.

What could change this verdict

Tier 3 availability
This number moves — verify the live counter with the city before making an offer.
Mission Beach
Tier 4 is a separate capped pool; applications have been closed.
Renting a room
Tier 2 home-sharing stays open regardless of the investor cap.

Sources

San Diego STR regulation guide

Rules researched October 2026. They change, so verify with the city before you buy.

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Verify before you buy. Rules change often and vary by zoning, HOA, and building type. This is a research starting point, not legal advice. Always confirm with the city's planning or business-license office before signing anything.