License Issuance and Renewal
San Diego Municipal Code § 510.0106
in effect§510.0106 License Issuance and Renewal
(a) A host may be issued only one license for short-term residential occupancy at a time within the City of San Diego.
(b) Issuance of Tier One Licenses and Tier Two Licenses.
Once an application for a Tier One License or a Tier Two License is deemed complete, the appropriate license shall be issued by the City Manager when the required fees have been paid, except as provided below.
(1) A license shall not be issued for a dwelling unit with a pending enforcement action by the City for violations of this Article or any provision of the Municipal Code, unless the approval is required to resolve the enforcement action.
(2) A license shall not be issued for a host who had a license revoked by the City within 12 months prior to the date of application.
(c) Issuance of Tier Three Licenses and Tier Four Licenses.
The issuance of Tier Three Licenses and Tier Four Licenses shall be on a lottery basis if sufficient demand exists. Once an application for a Tier Three License or a Tier Four License is deemed complete, the application shall be accepted. The City Manager shall adopt administrative rules to implement and administer the lottery.
(1) A Tier Three License or a Tier Four License shall only be issued when the required fees have been paid.
(2) A Tier Three License or a Tier Four License shall not be issued for a dwelling unit with a pending enforcement action by the City for violations of this Article or any provision of the Municipal Code, unless the approval is required to resolve the enforcement action.
(3) A Tier Three License or a Tier Four License shall not be issued for a host who had a license revoked by the City within 12 months prior to the date of application.
(4) The City Manager may create a waiting list of applications that are deemed complete for Tier Three Licenses and Tier Four Licenses for issuance of any Tier Three License or Tier Four License that becomes available before the next lottery is held.
(d) License Renewal
(1) A license may be renewed if the host complies with the following:
(A) timely pays the renewal fee;
(B) has complied with the provisions of this Division during the term of the current license;
(C) provides information concerning any changes to the previous application for or renewal of the license; and
(D) submits the records described in Municipal Code section 510.0107, unless the host lists exclusively on a hosting platform that has an agreement with the City that includes a provision for pass-through registration for license applicants.
(2) A license shall not be renewed if an action to revoke the license is in progress or has been taken within 12 months prior to the date of the renewal request.
(e) Licenses are not transferrable. The City shall not accept any request to transfer or assign ownership or location of any license or license application.
(“License Issuance and Renewal” added 4-14-2021 by O-21305 N.S.; effective 5-29-2021.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter05/Ch05Art10Division01.pdf#page=7Fetched: 10/28/2026