Can you do rental arbitrage in San Diego?
Yes, one unit at a time. We have 24 San Diego homes where the landlord already said yes to Airbnb. The city also wants a license: a tenant can hold one outside Mission Beach if the lease allows stays under a month, each host gets one license, and the city counted 807 left outside Mission Beach as of Sep 25, 2026.
From our San Diego guide, where every rule links to its source.
San Diego homes you're allowed to Airbnb
24 homes where the landlord already said yes. Members see the address, real photos and rent.
IllustrationSan Diego, CA
Est. $6,500/mo profitEst. $16,000 to $17,000/mo on Airbnb
IllustrationSan Diego, CA
Est. $6,250/mo profitEst. $14,000 to $15,000/mo on Airbnb
IllustrationSan Diego, CA
Est. $4,500/mo profitEst. $12,000 to $13,000/mo on Airbnb
IllustrationSan Diego, CA
Est. $4,500/mo profitEst. $6,000 to $7,000/mo on AirbnbPictures are illustrations, not the real homes. Profit and revenue are estimates from BNBCalc and AirDNA data.
San Diego's rules for rental arbitrage
San Diego works one unit at a time, with a person as the host on each license, and only while Tier 3 stays open. Get the landlord's written OK before you sign.
- Tenants can hold the license if the lease allows stays under a month
- Stays of a full month or more need no license
- One license per host and one unit at a time, so every unit needs its own person as host
- A 1% cap, and Mission Beach is closed with a waitlist
- 1Check the city's STRO page to see that Tier 3 still has licenses left before you commit to a lease.
- 2Get the lease clause allowing stays under a month, or the owner's signed authorization, in writing.
Read the full San Diego guide, with a source for every rule →
How it works with STR Exchange
- 1Pick an approved home. Every home on our list has the landlord's OK to Airbnb. We find them by calling landlords every day.
- 2Sign the lease. Usually through your LLC. We help with the tour, the application and the deal.
- 3List it on Airbnb. Guests cover the rent and bills.
Questions
Do I need a license in San Diego?
Yes. A tenant can hold the whole-home license if the lease allows stays under a month. It costs $1,129 for 2 years, plus a $41 application fee.
What taxes do guests pay in San Diego?
11.75% to 13.75% city tax, depending on the Measure C zone.
Whose name goes on the lease?
Usually your LLC. We recommend it for your protection. If a landlord will only sign a personal lease, it's your call. The city license goes to a person, one license per host.
What does STR Exchange cost?
Free to create an account. Membership is $149 a month after you're approved. The acquisition fee, our finder's fee, is $2,500 unfurnished or $3,500 furnished per home, due the day you sign the lease. Never before.
More cities with homes
Nashville 10 homesWest Palm Beach 9 homesScottsdale 9 homesMiami 7 homesKissimmee 6 homesSavannah 6 homesAnaheim 5 homesChicago 5 homesPhiladelphia 5 homes
Tell us your market. Our team calls landlords and sends you properties already approved for Airbnb.
- Landlord-approved listings
- New deals weekly
- Search any US market
Rules tell you where. We find the landlord who says yes.
STR Exchange members get landlord-approved rentals, new deals every week and a team that searches their market.
- Landlord-approved listings
- New deals weekly
- Many markets