Las Vegas vs San Diego: Short-Term Rental Rules Compared (2026)
Las Vegas is currently "primary residence only" while San Diego is "allowed with permit". The bigger difference is eligibility: Las Vegas restricts rentals to the host's own residence, while San Diego permits dedicated rentals. On cost, Las Vegas is the cheaper market to license ($500 vs $1,170). Full verified details for both markets below — always confirm current requirements with each jurisdiction.
Side by side
| Rule | Las Vegas, NV | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Primary residence only | Allowed with permit |
| Permit required | Yes | Yes |
| Permit name | Short-Term Residential Rental business license (with Conditional Use Verification) | Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) License (Tiers 1-4) |
| Permit fee | $500 | $1,170 |
| Renewal | Annual | Biennial |
| Primary residence only | Yes | No |
| Owner occupancy required | Yes | No |
| Night cap / year | None found | None found |
| Minimum stay | 1 night(s) | 2 night(s) |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~13% | ~13.75% |
| Last verified | July 10, 2026 | July 10, 2026 |
Compare guest tax loads
Switch between the two markets to see itemized occupancy taxes on the same stay.
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| Combined transient lodging (room) tax -- city of Las Vegas (13%)· collection varies | $58.50 |
| Total tax (13%) | $58.50 |
| Guest pays | $508.50 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
Las Vegas, NV
The city of Las Vegas allows short-term rentals (stays under 31 consecutive days) only with a Short-Term Residential Rental business license, which requires a free Conditional Use Verification, a Code Enforcement home inspection, and a $500 annual license fee. The biggest restriction is that the home must be the owner's primary residence and 'owner-occupied' throughout every rental period -- the owner must actually reside and sleep on site while guests stay -- and the unit may have no more than three bedrooms, must sit at least 660 feet from any other short-term rental and 2,500 feet from a resort hotel, and is barred from apartment buildings and several master-planned areas such as Summerlin. Unlicensed operators face civil fines of $1,000 to $10,000 per violation, assessable per day. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
Full Las Vegasrules, playbook & sources →San Diego, CA
Short-term rentals (under one month) are legal in San Diego but every host needs a Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) license, issued in four tiers; a whole-home Tier 3 license costs $1,170 total ($41 application + $1,129 license, valid two years), while part-time and home-share tiers cost $226-$317. The biggest restriction is that each host may hold only one license and operate only one dwelling unit citywide, and whole-home licenses are capped (1% of the city's housing stock for Tier 3; Mission Beach Tier 4 is fully allocated with a frozen waitlist). Guests also pay 11.75%-13.75% transient occupancy tax depending on zone. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
Full San Diegorules, playbook & sources →Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change frequently in both markets; verify current requirements with each jurisdiction before operating.