Jersey City vs San Diego
New Jersey Restricted | California Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Jersey City, New Jersey | San Diego, California |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Restricted | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $250 initial application + $200 annual renewal | Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license) |
| Tax Rate | 6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee | 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center) |
| Annual Day Limit | 60 days/year | 20 days/year |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Biennial |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $1,500–$2,000 first offense; up to $5,000+ for repeat violations | $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations |
| Verdict | San Diego has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
Jersey City, New Jersey
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $250 initial application + $200 annual renewal
Tax Rate 6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee
Day Limit 60 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $1,500–$2,000 first offense; up to $5,000+ for repeat violations
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.
Jersey City Overview
Adopted after 2019 voter referendum. Owner-occupied only — tenants and rent-controlled units prohibited. Unhosted stays capped at 60 nights/year. Only buildings with fewer than 4 units eligible.
Full Jersey City 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 Jersey City or San Diego?
Jersey City is classified as "Restricted" while San Diego is "Legal with Permit." Jersey City's permit fee is $250 initial application + $200 annual renewal 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 — Jersey City or San Diego?
Jersey City charges 6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee, 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?
Jersey City: $1,500–$2,000 first offense; up to $5,000+ for repeat violations. San Diego: $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations.