A short-term vacation rental refers to the rental of part, or all, of any legally permitted dwelling unit for fewer than 30 consecutive days. This includes, Multi-Family Homes and Condominiums (if the property is located within a Homeowners Association (HOA), please ensure the covenants, conditions & restrictions (CC&Rs) allow STVRs. The city does not enforce HOA rules or CC&Rs. 

The City of Carlsbad allows short-term vacation rentals in the “coastal zone,” as well as the La Costa Resort and Spa Master Plan area, to include the "La Costa Chateaus” at 2003 and 2005 Costa Del Mar. The “coastal zone” is defined by the California Coastal Commission as the area that generally extends 1,000 yards inland from the mean high tide line or, in some cases, inland to the first major ridgeline.

STVRs may only operate within the Coastal Zone.

To check whether a specific property is in the coastal zone:

View coastal zone map

Look up the address on our “E-zoning map"

Call 442-339-5978 or email stvr@carlsbadca.gov, and a team member will look up the property.

It is important to be aware of the following definitions when operating or renting a STVR roperty. 

“Bedroom” means a private room intended for or capable of being used for sleeping, separated from other rooms by a door, curtain or other entry way, having at least one window and a closet/storage nook and accessible to a bathroom without crossing into another bedroom.

 “Broker” means any entity or person, including, but not limited to, online websites, online travel agencies, and online booking agents that offers, lists, advertises, accepts reservations and/or collects whole or partial payment for a short-term vacation rental unit.

 “Owner” means the person(s) or entity(ies) that hold(s) legal and/or equitable title to the subject short-term vacation rental.

The City of Carlsbad requires all businesses within the limits of the city to have a valid license. Short-term vacation rental operators are required to obtain a business license, and a short-term vacation rental permit, prior to advertising their property. These must be renewed annually. 

All documents required to obtain a Short-Term Vacation Rental License / Permit are listed below:

• Business License (download application)
• Permit (Permit)
• Impact Response Plan (Impact Response Plan)
• Declaration Notification (Declaration Notice)

The Business License Application may be completed online (Apply on-line) Once submitted, an email confirmation with a Business License reference number, will be sent.  The other required documents mentioned above may be submitted via email, mail or delivered in person to 1635 Faraday Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008.

*Please ensure the email confirmation reference number is included on all documents.

If you do not receive an email confirmation from the online submission process, there may be missing information or errors in the application. Please recheck and resubmit. If an email is still not received, you may want to download the application and complete it manually.

For additional information pertaining to Business Licenses, please contact our Finance Department.

In August 2018, the City of Carlsbad updated the vacation rental ordinance to require an Impact Response Plan and Declaration Notice for all New and Renewal Business Licenses (reference Section CMC 5.60.0.7). 

The Impact Response Plan and Declaration Notification forms are required for all STVR Business Licenses.  The Impact Response Plan must be completed for each property / unit and distributed to the adjacent STVR property neighbors. The Declaration of Notification form must be signed and completed. Copies of both are required for New Business Licenses and must be submitted annually, with the Renewal.

• Impact Response Plan
• Declaration Notice

Short-term vacation rentals are subject to a ten percent transient occupancy tax (TOT – commonly referred to as the hotel tax) as well as a two percent Carlsbad Tourism Business Improvement District assessment (CTBID). The property owner or owner’s agent shall be responsible for the collection and remittance of TOT and the CTBID assessment. Monthly TOT payments are due and payable on or before the last day of the month immediately following the month for which the payment is due.

Payment Options

There are two options to pay taxes:

• Taxes may be remitted online with a credit card or check
• Taxes may be remitted manually by mailing or delivering a check, money order, or cash along with the transient occupancy tax form on or before the due date to:

City of Carlsbad Finance Department

ATTN: TOT Payments

1635 Faraday Ave

Carlsbad CA, 92008

Airbnb and VRBO Exclusions

Airbnb – As of August 1, 2018, STVR owners who booked rentals on Airbnb were no longer required to remit TOT and CTBID to the City of Carlsbad. Airbnb collects and remits these payments to the city on a periodic basis on the vacation rental owner's behalf. For more information, please visit Airbnb’s website .

VRBO – As of February 1, 2020, STVR owners who booked rentals on VRBO/HomeAway were no longer required to remit TOT and CTBID to the City of Carlsbad. VRBO/HomeAway collects and remits these payments to the city on a periodic basis on the vacation rental owner's behalf.  For more information, please visit VRBO/HomeAway’s website.

Please be advised that STVR owners/agents are required to remit any TOT and CTBID payments for bookings made on platforms other than Airbnb or VRBO/HomeAway.

For additional information pertaining to TOT, please refer to: Questions & Answers.

Local Contact 24/7

Ensure a local contact person is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to respond to complaints and concerns about the short-term vacation rental property within 45 minutes.  Provide guests with the name and contact information for the local contact person.

Local Contact Responsiveness

Upon notification that any guest of the short-term vacation rental unit has created unreasonable noise or disturbances, the local contact must respond in a timely and appropriate way to immediately halt or prevent the recurrence of such conduct.  Failure to respond to such calls or complaints in a timely way will subject the owner to all administrative, legal and equitable remedies available to the city.

Occupancy

The City of Carlsbad limits occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 1 person per unit.  If the property is a 2-bedroom home, then maximum overnight occupancy is 5… this includes minor children.

Vacation Rental Usage

The owner or owner’s agent will ensure that the short-term vocational rental is used for residential purposes only.  Commercial activities and special events, for example, weddings, receptions, large parties are prohibited.  All guests shall be notified of the prohibition prior to the reservation, rental or lease and the prohibition must be a part of the lease agreement.

Renter Acknowledgement

Require the renter to formally acknowledge that he or she is legally responsible for compliance by all occupants of the short-term vocational rental and their guests with all applicable laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the use and occupancy of the vacation rental unit.

Permit Posting

Post the short-term vacation rental permit on the exterior of the unit within plain view of the general public with the 24-hour, 7-day local contact phone number for complaints. Ensure that the permit is always displayed when the unit is used as a short-term vacation rental.

Permit Number on All Advertising

Ensure that the current short-term vacation rental permit number is on or in any advertisement that promotes the availability or existence of the short-term vacation rental.

Penalties and Enforcement

The City of Carlsbad will actively monitor short-term vacation rental activity to determine compliance with the law. Those found to be violating the city law may be subject to fines and other legal actions.

Three Strikes Rule

Should there be three or more Administrative Citations issued within a 24-month period, the short-term vacation rental permit may be canceled. In the event that this happens, an application to restore the short-term vacation rental at the property will not be accepted for a minimum period of 36 months (CMC 5.60.080.B).

If you have questions or comments about the information contained here please contact the STVR Enforcement Team at stvr@carlsbadca.gov. 

Administrative Citation

The property owner will be notified via a mailed Notice of Violation if the property is in violation of any of the municipal codes pertaining to STVRs and will be given 10 business days to remedy the violation(s).

In the event the violation(s) is not remedied by the compliance date, the STVR Code Enforcement Department will issue an Administrative Citation.  The citation will outline the nature of the violation(s), corrective measures to bring the property into compliance with code and carries a fine for each violation.

Fine Schedule

• Administrative Citation #1      $100 per violation
• Administrative Citation #2      $200 per violation
• Administrative Citation #3      $500 per violation 

Right to Appeal

The property owner has the right to appeal any citation within 30 days from the date the citation was issued or mailed, whichever is the latter.  The appellant must submit a fully completed Appeal Request Form and Appeal Rights and Responsibilities Form and must be accompanied by the fine payment.

Failure of any person to file a written appeal within 30 days shall constitute a waiver of his or her right to an administrative hearing and adjudication of the citation or any portion thereof and the total amount of the fine.

An appeal of one citation is not deemed to be an appeal of all citations related to the same property or individual.  Each citation must be appealed separately or communicated as a “global appeal” on the appeal paperwork, along with the submission of any outstanding fine balance(s) to be appealed. 

Additionally, any permits, variances or similar permissions issued after a citation has been issued does not forgive any preceding citations, nor does this forgive any related future continuing violations.

How to Pay Citation Fines

The amount of the fine is indicated on the front of the administrative citation invoice and is due within 30 days of the issue date of the citation.  Payment can be made by credit card, personal check, cashier’s check, or money order.

Please note: the citation number will be required for all forms of payment.  This can be found on the citation invoice which will be mailed separately from the administrative citation.

• To pay by credit card:www.pticket.com/carlsbadadmin
• To pay by mail: City of Carlsbad, PO Box 3926, Tustin, CA 92781-3926

Payment of any fine shall not excuse the failure to correct the violation nor shall it bar further enforcement by the city.

If you have a complaint regarding an STVR operating in your neighborhood, please call 442-339-5978 or email stvr@carlsbadca.gov.

If there is loud noise or a disturbance being caused by guests currently staying at a vacation rental near you after 10:00pm and before 10:00am:

• First, please contact the property owner or property manager identified on the Impact Response Plan provided to you by the property owner/manager. The designated person is required take care of the situation within 45 minutes of receiving the complaint.
• Second, if the issue is not resolved by the property owner/manager within 45 minutes, the Carlsbad Police Department can be contacted at the non-emergency number 760-931-2197.

Why are short-term vacation rentals only allowed in the coastal zone?

Due to concerns about the possible negative effects of vacation rental properties in residential neighborhoods, the Carlsbad City Council decided to limit them to the coastal zone. The California Coastal Commission, which governs land use in this area, has ruled that short-term vacation rentals enable greater access to the coast and therefore should be allowed.

Is a short-term vacation rental allowed in a condominium or multi-family project?

Yes, if it is in the coastal zone and allowed by the homeowner’s association.

Are short-term vacation rentals allowed in the residences located within a homeowner’s association?

Only if the CC&Rs allow rentals less than 30 days and the property is in the coastal zone.  The city does not enforce CC&Rs or HOA rules.

Can I rent a portion of my home as a short-term vacation rental?

Yes, if it is in the coastal zone and you have a current business license & short-term vacation rental permit.

Can I rent a unit that was approved under an affordable housing policy as a short-term vacation rental?

No. Dwelling units approved as affordable housing units may not be used as short-term vacation rentals.

Can I use my second dwelling unit as a short-term vacation rental?

Yes, unless the second dwelling unit was approved for use as an affordable housing unit or outside the coastal zone. 

Can I use my Accessory Dwelling Unit as a short-term vacation rental?

Accessory Dwelling Units approved after January 1, 2020 are required to be rented for terms longer than 30 days.  Accessory Dwelling Units approved prior to January 1, 2020 may be used as a short-term vacation rental unless the Accessory Dwelling Unit was approved for use as an affordable housing unit.

How will short-term vacation rental rules be enforced?

The City of Carlsbad will actively monitor short-term vacation rental activity to determine compliance with the law.  Those found to be violating the city law may be subject to fines and other legal actions.

Welcome to Carlsbad! 

We are pleased you have selected our city as your vacation destination.  With its perfect climate, nearly seven miles of beaches, nature trails, a charming Village and family attractions, Carlsbad attracts visitors from near and far.  The City of Carlsbad welcomes you, and encourages you to review the important information below regarding your stay in a short-term vacation rental property.

Like many of our visitors, you have decided to rent a house or a condominium for your own unique Carlsbad “live like a local” experience. Because you will  be staying in an area with many permanent residents, we ask you to value the look and feel of a quiet and safe place to live, and comply with the city’s short-term vacation rental rules. Disturbances or violations of the City’s Short-Term Vacation Rental Ordinance may result in citations or fines from the City, or even eviction by the owner. By keeping your new neighbors in mind during your stay, you can help make the experience enjoyable for everyone.

Noise

Quiet hours are between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. each day. Amplified or reproduced sounds should not be heard past the property line of your vacation rental during quiet hours. Please don’t bring the speakers outside and turn up the music at any time of day, even if you think everyone will enjoy it.

Commercial Activities / Special Events

Commercial activities and/or special events are not permitted on short-term vacation rental property.  This means the property cannot be used for large parties, weddings, receptions, graduation celebrations, or commercial gathering such as meetings or conferences.

Occupancy

The City of Carlsbad limits occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 1 person per unit. This includes minor children.

Trash

Trash and refuse cannot be stored within public view.  Place trash in proper containers.  Trash bins may be placed at the curb only for the purpose of collection.  Please do not leave trash or recycling at the curb unless it is collection day.

Parking

Please use off-street parking to the greatest extent possible and avoid parking on nearby residential streets.  Onsite parking is allowed on the approved driveway, garage, and/or carport areas only. Never block any driveway or street access.

Pets

The City of Carlsbad requires that all dogs be on a leash whenever they are outside in an unfenced area. If you wish to provide your dog off leash exercise while on vacation, we encourage you to take advantage of the city’s dog parks.  We expect everyone to pick up after their pet.  NEVER leave your pet unattended in a vehicle; it is illegal.  And, just like home, a barking or whining dog disturbs the neighbors and is unfair to the dog.

Keep in Mind

Renters, please keep in mind that you may be cited, fined, or evicted for creating a noise disturbance or violating any of the provisions for Short -Term Vacation Rentals under CMC 5.60. Adjacent neighbors are provided contact numbers, should an occasion arise they are encouraged to report disturbances. Your permanent neighbors have a right to peace and repose, and this must be respected at all times of the day, but especially into the evening hours.