Sacramento vs San Diego
California Legal with Permit | California Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Sacramento, California | San Diego, California |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal with Permit | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax | Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license) |
| Tax Rate | 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments | 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center) |
| Annual Day Limit | 90 days/year | 20 days/year |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Biennial |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | Contact city for current details | $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations |
| Verdict | Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments. | |
Sacramento, California
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax
Tax Rate 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments
Day Limit 90 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Contact city for current details
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.
Sacramento Overview
Host must reside in the property at least 184 nights/year (primary residence requirement); non-primary-residence rentals capped at 90 days/year. Maximum 6 guests at any time.
Full Sacramento 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 Sacramento or San Diego?
Sacramento is classified as "Legal with Permit" while San Diego is "Legal with Permit." Sacramento's permit fee is $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax 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 — Sacramento or San Diego?
Sacramento charges 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments, 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?
Sacramento: Contact city for current details. San Diego: $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations.