Orlando vs San Diego: Short-Term Rental Rules Compared (2026)
Orlando is currently "primary residence only" while San Diego is "allowed with permit". The bigger difference is eligibility: Orlando restricts rentals to the host's own residence, while San Diego permits dedicated rentals. On cost, Orlando is the cheaper market to license ($275 vs $1,170). Full verified details for both markets below — always confirm current requirements with each jurisdiction.
Side by side
| Rule | Orlando, FL | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Primary residence only | Allowed with permit |
| Permit required | Yes | Yes |
| Permit name | Home Sharing Registration | Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) License (Tiers 1-4) |
| Permit fee | $275 | $1,170 |
| Renewal | Annual | Biennial |
| Primary residence only | Yes | No |
| Owner occupancy required | Yes | No |
| Night cap / year | None found | None found |
| Minimum stay | None found | 2 night(s) |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~12.5% | ~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 |
| Florida Transient Rental Tax (state sales tax) (6%)· usually collected by platform | $27.00 |
| Orange County Discretionary Sales Surtax (0.5%)· usually collected by platform | $2.25 |
| Orange County Tourist Development Tax (6%)· usually collected by platform | $27.00 |
| Total tax (12.5%) | $56.25 |
| Guest pays | $506.25 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
Orlando, FL
Orlando only allows short-term rentals (under 30 days) as owner-occupied 'home sharing': the owner or a long-term tenant must live on-site and be present during every stay, only one booking at a time is allowed, and no more than half the bedrooms may be rented — renting out an entire home short-term is prohibited in residential zones (whole-unit 'Commercial Dwelling Units' are limited to O-3, MU and AC commercial districts). Hosts must obtain an annual Home Sharing Registration ($275 first year, $100-$125 renewals, with a yearly interior inspection), and guests pay roughly 12.5% in combined state and Orange County taxes, which Airbnb and Vrbo collect on platform bookings. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
Full Orlandorules, 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.