| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — City of San Diego STRO (Short-Term Residential Occupancy) License required |
| Tax Rate | 10.5% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) + local TMD assessment |
| Night / Day Cap | Uncapped for Tier 3/4 whole-home licenses; 20 days max/year for Tier 1 home-share |
| Minimum Stay | 2 consecutive nights minimum for Tier 3/4 whole-home rentals |
| Permit Fee | Varies by STRO tier (-,000+ depending on license classification) |
| Penalties | Strict fines up to ,000/day for operating without a valid STRO license. |
| Primary Residence Required | No for Tier 3/4 licenses, required for Tier 1/2 home-share licenses |
| Occupancy Limit | Max 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests |
Short-term rentals in Pacific Beach, California are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — City of San Diego STRO (Short-Term Residential Occupancy) License required. The associated permit fees are Varies by STRO tier (-,000+ depending on license classification).
Short-term rental operators in Pacific Beach should be aware of these tax obligations: 10.5% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) + local TMD assessment. Yes — Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) registration required.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Pacific Beach include: Primary residence requirement: No for Tier 3/4 licenses, required for Tier 1/2 home-share licenses. Rental day cap: Uncapped for Tier 3/4 whole-home licenses; 20 days max/year for Tier 1 home-share. Occupancy limit: Max 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. Minimum stay: 2 consecutive nights minimum for Tier 3/4 whole-home rentals.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Pacific Beach: City of San Diego STRO zoning applies. Subject to San Diego citywide 1% housing stock cap on whole-home rentals.. Density rules: Citywide 1% cap on Tier 3 whole-home licenses allocated via lottery. Insurance: Yes — ,000,000 liability insurance required.
Hosts who fail to comply with Pacific Beach's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Strict fines up to ,000/day for operating without a valid STRO license..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Pacific Beach: Valid STRO license number must be posted on all listings.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Pacific Beach but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Pacific Beach is governed by the City of San Diego STRO Ordinance. Whole-home rentals require a Tier 3 license obtained via city lottery. Mandatory local contact required within 45 minutes for noise/p
Yes. Pacific Beach requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — City of San Diego STRO (Short-Term Residential Occupancy) License required.
Short-term rental hosts in Pacific Beach are subject to the following tax obligations: 10.5% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) + local TMD assessment.
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Pacific Beach may face enforcement. Strict fines up to ,000/day for operating without a valid STRO license..
San Diego STRO Tier 3 license required (lottery/cap applies); 10.5% TOT tax.
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