Definitions
San Diego Municipal Code § 510.0102
in effect§510.0102 Definitions
For the purpose of this Article, the following definitions shall apply and appear in the text in italicized letters:
Booking service means any reservation or payment service that facilitates a transaction between a host and guest for short-term residential occupancy for which a fee is collected or received, directly or indirectly, in connection with the reservation or payment of services provided for the transaction.
Complaint means a statement submitted in written or electronic form to the City Manager alleging a violation of this Article. It shall include the complainant’s name and contact information, the short-term residential occupancy dwelling unit’s address, including unit number, date(s), the nature of alleged violation(s), and any available contact information for the host.
Deemed complete has the same meaning as in Municipal Code section 113.0103.
Dwelling unit has the same meaning as in Municipal Code section 113.0103.
Guest means any person who exercises short-term residential occupancy, or is entitled to short-term residential occupancy, by reason of concession, permit, right of access, license, or other agreement for a period of less than one month.
Home share means the short-term residential occupancy of either the host’s primary residence or a separate dwelling unit on the same premises as the host’s primary residence.
Host means a natural person who has the legal right to occupy the dwelling unit and to allow short-term residential occupancy.
Hosting platform means any person, as defined in Municipal Code section 11.0210, who provides, and collects or receives, a fee, subscription, commission, or other consideration for booking services through which a host may offer short-term residential occupancy.
License means a license issued to a host pursuant to this Division. License includes Tier One Licenses, Tier Two Licenses, Tier Three Licenses, and Tier Four Licenses as described in Municipal Code section 510.0104.
Month means a period of consecutive days from the first calendar day of occupancy in any month to the same calendar day in the next month following, or the last day of the next month following, if no corresponding calendar day exists.
Occupancy means the use or possession, or the right to the use or possession, of a dwelling unit for dwelling, lodging, or sleeping purposes.
Primary residence means the dwelling unit in which the host resides at least six months of the year. A host can only have one primary residence.
Rent means the total consideration charged for short-term residential occupancy as shown on the guest’s receipt.
Short-term residential occupancy means the occupancy of a dwelling unit or part thereof for less than one month.
Whole home means short-term residential occupancy of the host’s entire dwelling unit while the host is not physically present and residing in the dwelling unit.
(“Definitions” added 4-14-2021 by O-21305 N.S.; effective 5-29-2021.) [Editors Note: The defined terms “dwelling unit,” “guest,” “home share,” “host,” “license,” “primary residence,” “short term residential occupancy,” and “whole home” are part of the certified Local Coastal Program for the City of San Diego. An amendment by the City of San Diego to any of these definitions will not apply within the Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies the changes as an amendment to the Local Coastal Program and the amendment becomes effective.]
(Amended 6-27-2022 by O-21464 N.S.; effective 8-10-2022.)
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=1Fetched: 10/28/2026