A short–term vacation rental (STVR) is generally defined as a rental of a home or accessory dwelling unit for a short period of time (under 30 consecutive days). The City Council adopted on May 5, 2015, a new chapter to the Carlsbad Municipal Code (Chapter 5.60), specifying the operational regulations and locational requirements for STVRs. Some of the key provisions of the city’s code are as follows: STVR’s are permissible only on property zoned for residential use and located within the California Coastal Zone or in the La Costa Resort and Spa Master Plan area. STVRs are strictly prohibited outside those areas.

• Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessor Dwelling Units (IB-111) issued a building permit after Jan. 1, 2020 are prohibited from being an STVR.
  
  
• The number of occupants in an STVR is limited to two people per bedroom, plus one person per unit. For example, a two-bedroom Accessory Dwelling Unit is allowed to have a maximum of five overnight occupants.
  
  
• STVR property owners and STVR tenants are required to follow the city’s Good Neighbor Policies.
  
  
• A local contact person must be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond within 45 minutes to complaints or inquiries.
  
  
• STVRs must maintain an Impact Response Plan (Form P-98A) which includes information on how to reach the local contact person to report a complaint concerning the rental/tenant. The plan must be delivered to the surrounding neighbors and posted (along with the STVR permit) on the exterior of the unit within plain view of the public.
  
  
• Prior to operating an STVR, the property owner must secure two valid approvals in the following order:
  • STVR permit from the Community Development Department (Form P-98)
  • Business License (Home-Based Business) from the Finance Department (Application Form)

Good Neighbor Policies were created to minimize the adverse impacts short-term vacation rentals (STVR) may have on surrounding residential neighborhoods. The STVR owner is responsible to inform STVR renter(s) and acknowledge their compliance with Good Neighbor policies. STVR owners/operators and guests are responsible for ensuring the following rules are acknowledged and followed:

24-Hour Contact Available

Owner or designated person shall be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to complaints concerning condition, operation, or conduct of STVR occupants and the primary contact/owner must respond to all complaints within 45 minutes of receipt.

Noise

Any disturbing, excessive, or offensive noises, including amplified or reproduced sound outside or audible from the property line unit shall be prohibited between the hours of 10 p.m. and 10 a.m.

Trash

Properties shall be kept clean with no visible trash. All trash containers shall be stored out of public view except when at the curb on collection days. STVR guests shall be informed of the neighborhood trash collection schedule.

Occupancy

The number of occupants allowed to occupy any given short-term vacation rental unit shall be limited to two people per bedroom or studio plus one person per unit. Commercial activities and special events, including but not limited to, weddings, receptions and large parties are prohibited.

Parking

All occupants and guests shall, to the greatest extent possible, use on-site parking and avoid parking on nearby residential streets. On-site parking shall be allowed on approved driveway, garage, and/or carport areas only. 

Notification

Whenever the unit is used as an STVR, the approved STVR permit (Form P-98) and completed Impact Response Plan (Form P-98-A) shall be posted on the exterior of the unit within plain view of the public. A copy of the Impact Response Plan shall also be provided to every STVR renter.

Enforcement

The issuance of three or more administrative citations and/or verifiable municipal code violations concerning short-term vacation rental permit requirements within a 24-month period shall result in revocation of a short-term vacation rental permit. In the event of permit revocation, an application to reestablish a short-term vacation rental at the subject property shall not be accepted for a minimum period of 36 months.

STVR Permit & Fee

In order for the city to authorize a Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) pursuant to Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter 5.60, a complete application package must be submitted and approved by the Community Development Department. A complete application package includes an STVR application (Form P-98) and an Impact Response Plan (Form P-98A). Applications, and any questions pertaining to STVRs must be submitted to the Community Development Department at STVR@CarlsbadCA.gov or via phone at 442-339-5978.

Additionally, the city will be administering a new $220 annual STVR permit fee. This change was considered as part of a periodic review of city fees to ensure they align with the actual costs of providing services.

Business License

Following approval of an STVR permit, but prior to the first STVR lease, the property owner (or registered agent) must obtain a business license for a “Home-Based Business” (Application Form) from the city’s Finance Department, who can be reached at Business.License@CarlsbadCA.gov or via phone at 442-339-2495.

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

All STVRs are subject to a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax, commonly referred to as TOT or Hotel Tax, as well as a 2% Carlsbad Tourism Business Improvement District assessment, CTBID. The property owner (or registered agent) shall be responsible for the collection and timely remittance of TOT and the CTBID assessment for bookings made on hosting platforms other than Airbnb or VRBO/HomeAway. Refer to the city’s FAQ Sheet for additional information. Questions should be directed to the Finance Department at Business.License@CarlsbadCA.gov or via phone at 442-339-2495.

Renewals

STVR permits are annual permits and therefore, valid for one year from the date of issuance. Each year, prior to permit expiration, STVR owners must re-apply for a new STVR permit. The application requirements and submittal process for renewals will follow the same process as a new STVR permit, as described in the section above.

Identifying whether a home is being used as an STVR can be very challenging. To help residents, the city is currently developing an interactive map which will identify all permitted STVRs, including their address, emergency contact name & number, permit number, issue date, & expiration date, bedroom count and maximum occupancy.

This interactive map, which is being called the “STVR Viewer,” is expected to be launched sometime in the Fall 2024. Until then, any questions regarding an active STVR contact Carlsbad Code Enforcement at STVR@CarlsbadCA.gov or via phone at 442-339-5978.

Local Contact Person

Your first call should be to the identified Local Contact Person for the STVR unit. Their phone number can be found on the STVR Permit and Impact Response Plan, which should be posted in a visible location on the property. Per city code (§5.60.080.B), this individual must be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and respond to you within 45 minutes from the time you call.

Carlsbad Police Department

If you do not receive a response within 45 minutes, please contact the Carlsbad Police Department’s non-emergency number at 442-339-2197 and inform them of the situation. In the case of an emergency, please dial 9-1-1. 

Carlsbad Code Enforcement

You may also follow up with the Community Development Department – Code Enforcement Division during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) regarding the STVR rental or general questions regarding STVRs by phone at 442-339-5978, via email at STVR@carlsbadca.gov, or in person at 1635 Faraday Ave.