Short-term Rentals
How to Report a Violation
Chronic Problems?
What is the Issue?
May 1, 2023 a short-term rental license is required to operate within the City of San Diego. Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer and with summer comes sun, fun and visitors, lots of visitors. Vacation rentals will be sold out and while most renters are respectful others not so much. The main criticisms of short-term rentals are about noise, congestion and inconsiderate behavior from some vacationers who turn the units into party houses.
STRs are required to post a notice on the exterior of the dwelling that includes the TOT Certificate number, STRO license number, and contact info for the host or designated local contact. The notice must be visible to the public from the sidewalk or public right of way.
Do you have a licensed short-term rental on your block? There is an easy way to find out. Click here for a map that pinpoints all the licensed STRs, including local contact information and phone numbers.
How to report a violation:
The city has a dedicated category for reporting STRO complaints/violations on the Get It Done App (GID). This is the preferred method of filing complaints/violations. Very importantly, you will have the ability to upload pictures, video and audio to substantiate your compliant, so if at all possible document your complaint with pictures, video or audio. You can also report complaints by phone 619-533-6489 or email dsdstrocomplaint@sandiego.gov
A key thing to remember is the first step in reporting any violation for noise, trash or parking must be to contact the local contact first. If the local contact does not respond to the situation with 1 hour then a complaint can be submitted via the Get It Done App or other methods.
The GID protocol will be available 24/7/365 for the public to submit complaints. This web based map shows all the licenses and local contact information including phone numbers is available here. The map allows you to search by a specific address or to see all STR's in your neighborhood, street etc... The web page containing the map also has a direct link to file a Get It Done Report.
When you have a problem, call the local contact 24/7/365. If you get no response within 1 hour, file a complaint on GID.
Then file noise/nuisance complaints, parking complaints for cars blocking sidewalks, driveways, garages by calling SDPD non-emergency line at (619) 531‑2000 or (858) 484-3154. Yes, this will take time but by filing reports on noise, parking and trash separately as well as reporting the issue on the GID app it will further document your complaint and this will help Building and Land Use Enforcement (BLUE) in their investigation and enforcement of violations of the STRO.
Noise complaints can be filed any time of day, you do not have to wait until after 10:00 pm.
(Thank you to Larry Webb, Mission Beach Town Council President for providing this information.)
If this is a chronic problem, begin a log.
Note of the date, time, and activity.
Submit a Get-It-Done report and note the reference number.
Call SDPD non-emergency line at (619) 531‑2000 or (858) 484-3154.
While you wait for the dispatcher to answer, take the time to fill out your log with the details of what is happening at the address.
When dispatcher answers they will ask you many questions. Ask for a tracking # before hanging up. Be patient with the dispatchers!
If the problem persists, ask your neighbors to call. More calls help the police to prioritize.
if you want to know the outcome of the dispatch, ask the dispatcher to have the Police call you after they arrive at this residence. Keep in mind, that this could be late at night or early morning.
By answering the questions, you help the police prioritize the call and determine how many officers are needed.
If the noise continues, and the Police have not been able to respond due to other calls, call back within 2 hours so your report will stay active.
Issues like noise, parking and trash are not violations of the Short Term Rental Ordinance (STRO). These are issues that are violations of other city ordinances however if the local contact fails to address such complaints within 1 hour, the failure to respond to the issues are a violation of the STRO if substantiated.
If a third violation of any provision of Municipal Code section 510.0107 (operating requirements contained in the STRO ordinance) is alleged to have occurred within the previous 12 months at the dwelling unit or by a host, a hearing officer may revoke the license upon a determination that the third violation has occurred.
For more information on the STRO ordinance click here.
What is the Issue?
Commercial businesses in the form of mini-hotels, called Short-Term Rentals (STVR), are proliferating in neighborhoods that are zoned for non-commercial residential use only.
STRs damage the community by displacing long-term residents who build the community by joining the town council, sending their kids to local schools to keep them open, looking out for their neighbors, supporting all local businesses, etc. STR diminish the housing supply and make it harder and more expensive for all San Diego residents to find homes.