Portland vs San Diego

Oregon Legal but Limited | California Legal with Permit

Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.

Portland, Oregon
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling)
Tax Rate 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $26,201 across five violation types; permit revocation with 2-year ban
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.

Permits & Licensing

Portland charges $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling) for STR licensing, while San Diego charges Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license). Portland renewal is every 2 years, and San Diego renewal is biennial. Overall, San Diego has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Portland (Legal but Limited).

Tax Obligations

In Portland, hosts pay 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state. In San Diego, hosts pay 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center). Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

San Diego imposes a 20-night annual limit, while Portland has no annual cap — a significant advantage for high-volume hosts.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Portland face penalties including Up to $26,201 across five violation types; permit revocation with 2-year ban. In San Diego, violations can result in $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

Portland Overview

Only accessory (hosted) short-term rentals allowed; resident must occupy the dwelling at least 270 days/year. Type A permits allow up to 2 bedrooms and 5 guests. Whole-home unhosted rentals are prohibited.

Contact: Portland Permitting & Development — (503) 823-2633

Full Portland 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.

Contact: STRO Administration, City Treasurer — (619) 615-6120

Full San Diego guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Portland or San Diego?
Portland is classified as "Legal but Limited" while San Diego is "Legal with Permit." Portland's permit fee is $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling) compared to Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license) in San Diego. Overall, San Diego has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Portland or San Diego?
Portland charges 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state, while San Diego charges 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Portland: Up to $26,201 across five violation types; permit revocation with 2-year ban. San Diego: $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Portland and San Diego have day limits for Airbnb?
Portland has no annual day limit. San Diego limits STRs to 20 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Portland or San Diego?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Portland charges $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling) for permits with 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state in taxes. San Diego charges Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license) with 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center). Automatic tax collection in Portland and San Diego makes compliance easier for beginners.