Salt Lake City vs San Diego
Utah Effectively Banned | California Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Salt Lake City, Utah | San Diego, California |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Effectively Banned | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | Contact city for current details | Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license) |
| Tax Rate | ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT) | 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 | Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines | $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations |
| Verdict | San Diego has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
Salt Lake City, Utah
Status Effectively Banned
Permit Fee Contact city for current details
Tax Rate ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines
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.
Salt Lake City Overview
Traditional STRs (Airbnb-style) are prohibited in all residential zones. Short-term lodging is only permitted in downtown and mixed-use zoning districts, where operators must meet hotel/motel-class licensing and building standards.
Full Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake City or San Diego?
Salt Lake City is classified as "Effectively Banned" while San Diego is "Legal with Permit." Salt Lake City's permit fee is Contact city for current details 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 — Salt Lake City or San Diego?
Salt Lake City charges ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT), 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?
Salt Lake City: Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines. San Diego: $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations.