Boston vs San Diego
Massachusetts Legal but Limited | California Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Boston, Massachusetts | San Diego, California |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $25 registration fee | Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license) |
| Tax Rate | 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax | 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center) |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | 20 days/year |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Biennial |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $300/day for unregistered listing | $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations |
| Verdict | San Diego has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
Boston, Massachusetts
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $25 registration fee
Tax Rate 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $300/day for unregistered listing
San Diego, California
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license)
Tax Rate 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center)
Day Limit 20 days/year
Renewal Biennial
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations
San Diego has more favorable STR regulations overall.
Boston Overview
Only primary-residence units may be listed as STRs. Investor-owned (non-owner-occupied) short-term rentals are prohibited. Must register with the city and carry $1M liability insurance.
Full Boston guide →San Diego Overview
Four-tier license system with caps: Tier 3 limited to 1% of housing units; Tier 4 (Mission Beach) capped at 30% and at capacity. Only one license per host; licenses are non-transferable.
Full San Diego guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Boston or San Diego?
Boston is classified as "Legal but Limited" while San Diego is "Legal with Permit." Boston's permit fee is $25 registration fee compared to Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license) in San Diego.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Boston or San Diego?
Boston charges 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax, while San Diego charges 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center). Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Boston: $300/day for unregistered listing. San Diego: $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations.