Short Term Rentals (STR)

  1. I AM Operating a STR
  2. I have a STR in my neighborhood
  3. I have a complaint about a STR

Application Process

The application process for a short-term rental is now open.  Applicants can apply for all three permits on our Licensing Portal.  Applications will be taken in on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Permits required for operation

A host must obtain the following types of permits prior to advertising or renting any privately-owned residential dwelling to any transient for a period of 30 consecutive days or less:  Apply Now

  1. An Escondido business license
  2. Short-term rental permit
  3. Transient occupancy tax registration certificate

Helpful Links

Pilot Short Term Rental Program Now in Effect

Short Term Rental owners can now apply for their permits online. Owners should apply before September 1, 2025, to comply with City regulations and avoid penalties. STRs that are ineligible to receive a permit should cease operations by September 1, 2025, or face penalties. STRs must be located more than 500 feet from a parcel containing a school. Home-based schools and daycares are not considered schools for this requirement. For assistance in determining if a STR is located more than 500 feet from a school email our permitting team

A Short Term Rental (STR) shall mean all or any portion thereof of a residential dwelling unit which is advertised or held out to the public as a place regularly rented for dwelling, lodging or sleeping purposes to one party with a duration of occupancy of 30 consecutive days or less. Examples of this are rentals via websites such as Airbnb or VRBO. Hotels, motels, and other land uses explicitly defined and regulated in the Municipal Code separately from short term rentals are not considered short-term rentals.

Program Timeline

Phase OneDiscoveryJuly 1 - August 31, 2025The licensing portal is open for STR owners to apply.
Phase TwoPermit EducationSeptember 1 - November 14, 2025STRs owners who have not applied for a permit will receive communication from the City in the form of letters and door hangers. 
Phase ThreeCode ComplianceNovember 15 - December 31, 2025Investigation of unpermitted STRs will begin for enforcement purposes.
Phase FourEnforcement of Unpermitted STRsJanuary 1, 2026Unpermitted STRs are subject to administrative and criminal enforcement.


On January 29, 2025, Chapter 16, Article 8 was approved by the City Council to regulate Short-Term Rentals in the City of Escondido. The effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter is July 1, 2025. To read Chapter 16, Article 8, please go to Escondido Municipal Code.

Door Hanger Notifications

City staff will start placing door hangers on unpermitted STR's beginning on September 1, 2025 as part of Phase Two of the Pilot STR Program. Receiving a door hanger is your reminder to take action. Please submit your permit application as soon as possible. 

Short Term Rental Doorhanger


Related Documents

  1. Pre Application Checklist for Short Term Rentals (PDF)
  2. Short Term Rentals FAQs (PDF)
  3. Short-Term Rental Floor Plan (PDF)
  4. STR Inspection Checklist (PDF)