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Short-Term Rental Regulations
in La Jolla, CA

Last verified: March 2026 · Report an update

Zoning & Conditions

The STRO ordinance creates four license tiers (Part-Time, Home Sharing, Whole Home, and Mission Beach Whole Home) and limits each host to one license. It imposes a two-night minimum stay, caps total licenses at 1% of housing units (excluding Mission Beach), and requires whole-home hosts to be absent no more than 90 days per year. Platforms must verify licenses and provide monthly data to the City.

How to Obtain a Permit

1) Obtain an active Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration Certificate via the City's online system and ensure a paid Rental Unit Business Tax (RUBT) account. 2) Submit an STRO license application through the City Treasurer's portal, ensuring all documentation for the specific tier is met.

Regulatory Updates — La Jolla

Proposed and recent legislation

PassedFebruary 2025

STRO Whole Home License Cap Maintained

San Diego confirmed no plans to increase the Whole Home STRO license cap for 2025, keeping the waitlist in effect for La Jolla and other San Diego neighborhoods. Existing license holders were reminded of the non-transferability rule.

PassedAugust 2024

2-Night Minimum Stay Enforcement Continued

San Diego's STRO compliance team continued monitoring La Jolla STR listings for single-night offers in violation of the 2-night minimum stay requirement, issuing violations to operators advertising one-night availability.

PassedApril 2024

One-License-Per-Host Rule Audit Conducted

San Diego audited STRO license holders across all tiers to identify operators holding multiple licenses through different ownership entities, revoking duplicate licenses and issuing fines for circumvention attempts.

Official Resources

Official La Jolla STR regulation source

Local Resources & Advocacy

Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA)National

National trade association providing regulatory advocacy and compliance resources for vacation rental professionals navigating San Diego's STRO ordinance in La Jolla.

California Rental Housing AssociationStatewide

Statewide property owner and landlord advocacy group monitoring San Diego STRO cap developments and opposing further restrictions on Whole Home license availability.

La Jolla Town CouncilLocal

Local community planning organization that engages with San Diego on STRO ordinance implementation and monitors STR density impacts in La Jolla's coastal neighborhoods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in La Jolla, CA?
The STRO ordinance creates four license tiers (Part-Time, Home Sharing, Whole Home, and Mission Beach Whole Home) and limits each host to one license. It imposes a two-night minimum stay, caps total licenses at 1% of housing units (excluding Mission Beach), and requires whole-home hosts to be absent no more than 90 days per year. Platforms must verify licenses and provide monthly data to the City.
Is a permit required to operate a short-term rental in La Jolla?
Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in La Jolla. 1) Obtain an active Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration Certificate via the City's online system and ensure a paid Rental Unit Business Tax (RUBT) account. 2) Submit an STRO license application through the City Treasurer's portal, ensuring all documentation for the specific tier is met.
How do I get a short-term rental permit in La Jolla?
1) Obtain an active Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration Certificate via the City's online system and ensure a paid Rental Unit Business Tax (RUBT) account. 2) Submit an STRO license application through the City Treasurer's portal, ensuring all documentation for the specific tier is met.
What STRO license type do I need for a La Jolla vacation rental?
For a non-hosted whole-home rental (the most common investment STR), you need a Whole Home STRO license, which is subject to San Diego's citywide cap and currently has a waitlist. Hosted arrangements qualify for a Home Sharing license. Part-Time licenses allow up to 20 rental days per year.
Can I get a Whole Home license if I'm on the waitlist?
Only when an existing license holder surrenders theirs. San Diego's Whole Home license cap is firm, and the city has confirmed no expansion plans for 2025. Waitlist times depend on how many operators exit the market — there is no guaranteed timeline.
Can I hold more than one STRO license in La Jolla?
No. San Diego's STRO ordinance limits each host to one license regardless of tier. Attempting to hold multiple licenses through different ownership structures is treated as circumvention and results in revocation of all licenses held.
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Disclaimer

This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. STR regulations change frequently. Always verify requirements with official local government sources before operating a short-term rental.

Last verified: March 2026 · Suggest a correction