Raleigh vs San Diego
North Carolina Legal with Permit | California Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Raleigh, North Carolina | San Diego, California |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal with Permit | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal | Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license) |
| Tax Rate | ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax) | 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center) |
| Annual Day Limit | 120 days/year | 20 days/year |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Biennial |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible | $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations |
| Verdict | Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments. | |
Raleigh, North Carolina
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal
Tax Rate ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax)
Day Limit 120 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible
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
Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.
Raleigh Overview
STRs allowed as limited use in residential and mixed-use zones. Standard permit limits hosting to 120 days/year; Extended Home-Sharing permit allows 365 days. Zoning permit number must be displayed on all advertisements.
Full Raleigh 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 Raleigh or San Diego?
Raleigh is classified as "Legal with Permit" while San Diego is "Legal with Permit." Raleigh's permit fee is ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 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 — Raleigh or San Diego?
Raleigh charges ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy 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?
Raleigh: $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible. San Diego: $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations.