Oceanside Short Term Rental Regulation: A Guide For Airbnb Hosts

What are short term rental (Airbnb, VRBO) regulations in Oceanside, California?

These rules are often found in the Oceanside zoning code, planning code, city ordinances, or California real estate forums like Bigger Pockets or Reddit.

To operate a short term rental in Oceanside, hosts are required to obtain an annual permit from the city costing $250, with a one-time $199 inspection fee. Exceptions exist for owner-occupied rentals and rentals over 30 days.

1All short term rentals must collect and remit a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax on bookings. And the city ordinance limits occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, with a maximum of 10 people.

Starting a Short Term Rental Business in Oceanside

To start a short term rental business in Oceanside, you need to obtain a permit from the city. The permit fee is $250 per year. There is also a one-time $199 inspection fee.

Short Term Rental Licensing Requirement in Oceanside

All short term rentals in Oceanside require a permit from the city, with a few exceptions:

• If the owner lives on-site at the rental property
• If the rental is 30 days or longer
• Certain nonconforming lots

The permit must be renewed annually for $250. The initial permit also requires a $199 inspection fee.1

Required Documents for Oceanside Short Term Rentals

To apply for a short term rental permit in Oceanside, hosts need to provide:

• Proof of primary residence if living on-site
• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate
• Contact information posted publicly

Additional documents like floor plans, site plans, or photos may be required. 1

Oceanside Short Term Rental Taxes

Oceanside requires hosts to collect and remit Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on all bookings. The TOT rate is currently 10%. 1

California Wide Short Term Rental Rules

Statewide short term rental rules in California include:

• Collecting and remitting Transient Occupancy Taxes
• Posting terms of service, cancellation policy, etc.
• Providing contact information to guests
• Maintaining smoke detectors and fire extinguishers

Does Oceanside Strictly Enforce STR Rules?

Oceanside does enforce its short term rental regulations. Fines can range from $100 to $1000 per violation per day. Multiple violations or failure to comply can result in permit revocation. 2Compared to other cities, Oceanside's rules are not the strictest but do require permitting and taxes which some cities do not.Some hosts in Oceanside still operate without permits, but enforcement efforts are ongoing. 3

How to Start a Short Term Rental Business in Oceanside?

Follow these steps to start a compliant short term rental in Oceanside:

1. Research city regulations and zoning rules
2. Obtain short term rental permit and business licenses
3. Set up collection of Transient Occupancy Taxes
4. Furnish and prepare the rental property
5. Create listing on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO
6. Market listing and start taking bookings

Who to Contact About Short Term Rental Regulations and Zoning?

For questions on short term rental rules and zoning in Oceanside:

• Planning Division: 760-435-3520
• Code Enforcement: 760-435-3950
• Short Term Rental Hotline: 760-435-3360

Email inquiries can also be sent to BLinquiry@oceansideca.org

What do Airbnb hosts in Oceanside on Reddit and Bigger Pockets think about local regulations?

On Reddit and BiggerPockets, Oceanside hosts have mixed opinions on local short term rental regulations:

• Some hosts bypass rules by not getting permits4
• Regulations make it harder to operate profitably3
• Enforcement is complaint-driven but fines can be steep
• Taxes and fees cut into revenues significantly

So in summary, hosts tolerate but dislike the strictness of Oceanside's short term rental regulations.