October 2024
Disclaimer. This page is intended solely to assist you in understanding the regulations you may need to comply with. The information provided here is not exhaustive and may not reflect the most current legal standards. It is your responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable laws. For further guidance, please contact your local tax authorities or consult with a qualified legal or tax professional.
In July 2022, Chula Vista City Council adopted the Ordinance 3514 (adding Chapter 5.68 to the Chula Vista Municipal Code) in order to regulate short-term rentals in the City. For more information about STR regulations in Chula Vista, you can contact the City administration or visit this page on the official Chula Vista’s website.
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)
Your hosting activity may be subject to various taxes. Please note misterb&b registered with the City of Chula Vista to collect the Transient Occupancy Tax on your behalf. For more information, check our FAQ about US sales/occupancy tax collection by misterb&b.
You must complete registration for a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate (see online application here) even if misterb&b collects TOT on your behalf. For more information, you can visit this official page about TOT in Chula Vista.
You remain responsible for registering for, collecting and/or remitting any other taxes applicable to your hosting activity.
STR Categories
In Chula Vista, a short-term rental is the tourist rental of a residential property for less than 30 consecutive days. There are 2 categories of STRs:
- Whole-Home STR. The rental of an entire place (while the Host is not present on-site during the Guest stays).
- Partial-Home STR. The rental of a portion of a unit (while the Host is present during the Guest stay).
Please note that according to local rules, you can only operate a maximum of one (1) Primary Residence STR and one (1) Non-Primary Residence STR.
STR Permit
You must register first to operate a STR.
- Online process. The application process can be done online here. More information about the process here.
- TOT Certificate. Please note you must obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate (see online application here) before applying for a permit (even though misterb&b manages the TOT on your behalf - see above).
- Business License. You must secure a business license pursuant to CVMC Chapter 5.02, applications may be submitted online here.
- Renewal. You must renew your permit annually - this process can be completed online.
You must add the permit number to your misterb&b listing(s) (go to the “Local Requirements” page, via “Edit my listing”). In the absence of a valid permit number, misterb&b may delete your listing.
STR conditions
- Insurance. You must maintain liability insurance appropriate to cover the STR use in the aggregate of not less than $1,000,000.
- Zoning and use restrictions. You must maintain and use the dwelling unit at all times for residential occupancy only.
- Occupancy limits. The occupancy of the dwelling unit at any given time shall not exceed a maximum of 2 persons per bedroom being rented, with an additional of two persons permitted per dwelling unit, provided that the total number of guests does not exceed ten per dwelling unit.
- Nights minimum. If you operate a Whole-Home rental of a Non-Primary Residence STR, each Guest must stay for a minimum of 2 nights.
- Rental day cap. STR operations are limited to a maximum of 90 days per year for for Whole-Home Rental of a Primary-Residence
Maintaining compliance
You must ensure that the STR complies with all applicable codes regarding fire, building and safety, health and safety, and all other relevant laws.
- Nuisance. You must ensure your STR operation does not create a public nuisance.
- Local contact. You must designate a local contact who must respond within 1 hour of receiving the complaint.
- Good Neighbor Handout. You must give guests a Good Neighbor Handout, which includes the rules of coexistence and the rules of the neighborhood, such as parking, noise limits and the rules of garbage disposal and recycling.
- Business license notice. You must post an interior notice in a location visible to the public, that includes the business license or copy thereof.
- Records maintenance. You must maintain records of your STR operation in a format required by the City.
Third-party rules
- Community rules. You must abide by other contracts or rules binding you, such as co-op rules, CC&Rs, HOA rules, or other rules established by tenant organizations.
- Lease contract. If you are a renter, you must get the written permission from your landlord to use the property as a STR.
Data-sharing and privacy
misterb&b is required by law to save and share some information with the city of Chula Vista. It includes the listing’s permit number, name of the host, the listing’s address and the number of nights a Guest stayed at the unit.
By using misterb&b, you consent to the collection, retention, use and disclosure of his information to the City (in accordance with all legal obligations and processes).