Short Term Rental Permit Program Updates

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To file a complaint regarding a short-term rental property, please call the 24/7 hotline at (760) 435-5460 or complete the online complaint form.

On June 19, 2019, the City Council adopted Ordinance 19-OR0408-1 in response to the dramatic increase in residential properties being used as short-term rentals and concerns from citizens and neighborhood groups. The ordinance established STR regulations including the STR permit program, permit exemptions, and operational requirements.

On August 30, 2023, a City Council Workshop was held to focus on affordable housing production. In an effort to preserve housing opportunities in the City, the City Council directed staff (see workshop summary) to bring forward an amendment to Chapter 24 of the Oceanside City Code to prohibit the permitting of additional STRs outside of the City’s Coastal Zone.

On December 20, 2023, the City Council approved the amendment to Chapter 24 and it was adopted January 10, 2024. Ordinance 24-OR0844-1 went into effect February 10, 2024, and prohibits new non-hosted STRs outside of the Coastal Zone. STR permits for non-hosted properties, lawfully issued outside of the Coastal Zone before the ordinance became effective may be renewed provided the permit is in good standing. STR permits for non-hosted properties outside the Coastal Zone will not be renewable after the property is sold.

On December 20, 2023, the City Council directed staff (see meeting summary) to prepare proposed amendments to Chapter 24 to prohibit new, non-hosted STRs in all residential districts in the City, except for the Residential Tourist Zoning District. The proposed amendments also included modifications to the City’s permit requirements, required inspections, and operational requirements related to STRs. These modifications to Chapter 24 required the preparation of a Local Coastal Program Amendment for consideration by the City Council and California Coastal Commission. The proposed amendments were prepared by staff after receipt of extensive public comments and the first Public Hearing took place March 25, 2024 at the Planning Commission Meeting.

On April 24, 2024, City Council approved the proposed amendment to Chapter 24 and it was adopted May 8, 2024. Per Ordinance 24-OR0207-1 new STR permits issued west of Coast Highway must be in residential zones except for the R-1 zone, where new STR permits are prohibited. STR permits issued before the adoption of this ordinance can be renewed unless the owner obtains permits to expand habitable square footage or transfers the dwelling unit to a new owner. A cap of 480 total STR permits for non-hosted units in the Coastal Zone west of Coast Highway, the cap does not include hosted or permit-exempt STR units. These modifications to Chapter 24 impacting the Coastal Zone will require a Local Coastal Program Amendment (LCPA) for consideration by the California Coastal Commission (Coastal Commission) before they go into effect. The City submitted an LCPA application to the Coastal Commission in late summer 2024. City and Coastal Commission staff have been working together to provide additional information for the application to be deemed complete, which will enable the item to be scheduled for Coastal Commission consideration at a future meeting.

Ordinance 24-OR0207-1 effective June 7, 2024 clarifies the process of renewing annual STR permits and requires owners of both hosted and non-hosted units to obtain an STR permit, prohibits tenants from renting a dwelling unit as an STR, and increase fines for violations of Chapter 24.

The City’s Development Services and Financial Services departments will continue to review STR permit and renewal applications in accordance with applicable law. Property owners should be aware that there is no guarantee that new STR permits will be approved, or that previously issued STR permits will be renewed.