San Diego STR Crisis 2025: License Caps Force Property Sales
TL;DR: San Diego STR Crisis Reaches Breaking Point
San Diego's short-term rental regulations have created an impossible market for vacation rental owners: only 903 Tier 3 licenses remain citywide (down from 5,400), Mission Beach's 1,097 licenses are fully exhausted with a 186-person waitlist, TOT taxes hit 13.75% in high-demand zones, and licenses are non-transferable when you sell. With $1,170 annual fees, $1,000+ violation fines, and ADUs built after 2017 permanently banned from STR use, many property owners are choosing to sell to cash buyers for quick 7-14 day exits rather than navigate mounting regulatory and financial pressure.
Imagine owning a beachfront property in Mission Beach, ready to capitalize on San Diego's booming vacation rental market, only to discover you're number 186 on a waitlist with zero licenses available. This isn't a hypothetical scenario—it's the harsh reality facing hundreds of San Diego property owners in 2025 under the city's restrictive Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) ordinance.
Since enforcement began in May 2023, San Diego's short-term rental regulations have fundamentally reshaped the vacation rental landscape. With a citywide cap of just 5,400 whole-home licenses—representing only 1% of the city's housing stock—and strict non-transferable licensing rules, many property owners are discovering their once-lucrative investment has become a regulatory nightmare. Add the May 2025 Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) increase to 13.75% in high-density zones, $1,170 licensing fees for Tier 3 and 4 properties, and over 550 active violation cases, and you have a perfect storm driving property owners to exit the market entirely.
For vacation rental hosts facing these mounting challenges, selling to a cash buyer offers a fast, hassle-free exit strategy—often the only viable option when licenses won't transfer and compliance costs continue to climb.
Understanding San Diego Short-Term Rental STRO License Cap Crisis
San Diego short-term rental regulations operate on a four-tier STRO licensing system, but it's the license caps on Tiers 3 and 4 that create the most significant challenges for property owners. According to the City of San Diego's official STRO page, the citywide allocation for whole-home rentals outside Mission Beach (Tier 3) is capped at 1% of total housing units—approximately 5,400 licenses citywide.
As of December 2025, the city has issued 4,648 Tier 3 licenses, leaving just 903 remaining licenses available for the entire city. That number continues to shrink as property owners rush to secure one of the few remaining permits.
The Mission Beach Allocation Disaster
Mission Beach operates under separate, even more restrictive rules through Tier 4 licensing. The neighborhood's allocation is capped at 30% of its Community Planning Area housing stock, which translates to exactly 1,097 licenses. According to Inside San Diego, all 1,097 Mission Beach licenses have been issued, with zero remaining available.
When the city reopened Tier 4 applications for a 45-day period from July 1 to August 15, 2025, they received 1,290 applications. After issuing 1,082 licenses, 186 applicants were placed on a waitlist through a random lottery system. For those 186 property owners—and anyone else hoping to operate a vacation rental in Mission Beach—the message is clear: you're waiting for existing licensees to cancel before you have any chance of operating legally.
CBS8 reported that Mission Beach reached zero available licenses by the May 1, 2023 enforcement deadline, creating an immediate crisis for property owners who purchased their homes specifically as vacation rental investments.
The Four-Tier License Structure
Understanding which tier applies to your property is critical:
- Tier 1 (Part-Time): Up to 20 days per year, $226 total fee (application $33 + license $193)
- Tier 2 (Home Sharing): Room rental in your primary residence for more than 20 days annually, $317 total fee
- Tier 3 (Whole Home): Entire property rental outside Mission Beach for more than 20 days per year, $1,170 total fee (application $41 + license $1,129), subject to the citywide 1% cap
- Tier 4 (Mission Beach Whole Home): Entire property in Mission Beach for more than 20 days annually, $1,170 total fee, capped at 30% of neighborhood housing
According to OODA Management's 2025 guide, these fees increased significantly on March 1, 2025, with Tier 3 and 4 licenses jumping to $1,170—a substantial annual cost for property owners already struggling with restricted availability.
San Diego Short-Term Rental TOT Tax Burden: Three-Zone System Reaching 13.75%
Just as San Diego short-term rental property owners were adjusting to license caps and high fees, the city implemented a new three-tiered Transient Occupancy Tax system on May 1, 2025, that significantly increased the tax burden on vacation rentals.
Understanding the Three TOT Zones
Voters approved Measure C in 2020, dividing San Diego into three tax zones based on proximity to the Convention Center. According to Avalara's analysis, the three rates are:
- Zone 1 (Furthest from Convention Center): 11.75% TOT rate
- Zone 2 (Moderate Distance): 12.75% TOT rate
- Zone 3 (Closest to Convention Center): 13.75% TOT rate
This represents an increase from the previous flat rate of 10.5%, meaning properties in Zone 3 now face a 3.25 percentage point increase—a substantial cost passed directly to guests or absorbed by hosts in the form of reduced profits.
Times of San Diego reported that the city expects to generate approximately $82 million in fiscal year 2026 from this TOT increase, with projections of $1.04 billion in additional revenue over the first ten years. While this revenue funds Convention Center improvements and homelessness programs, it comes directly from the pockets of vacation rental operators and their guests.
Calculating Your TOT Zone Impact
Property owners can look up their specific tax zone on the City of San Diego's interactive tax zone lookup map. For a Mission Beach property charging $300 per night in Zone 3, the TOT tax alone adds $41.25 per night ($300 × 13.75%), or $1,237.50 for a 30-night booking month—money that must be collected from guests and remitted to the city.
Many vacation rental hosts operating on thin margins find that the combination of higher licensing fees and increased TOT rates makes their business model unsustainable, particularly when competing with hotels that benefit from economies of scale.
Enforcement Crackdown: 550+ Active Cases and Escalating Penalties
San Diego hasn't just created regulations—they're actively enforcing them with significant resources and steep penalties. The city's Building and Land Use Enforcement (BLUE) team employs dedicated officers to monitor short-term rental compliance throughout San Diego.
Violation Statistics and Penalties
According to multiple sources, San Diego maintains over 550 active violation cases as of 2025, demonstrating sustained enforcement pressure. KPBS reported that when enforcement began in May 2023, dozens of complaints immediately flooded the system, covering everything from noise disturbances to unauthorized operations.
The penalty structure is designed to hurt:
- First violation: $1,000 fine for operating without a license
- Daily penalties: $300 per day, per violation for ongoing non-compliance
- Severe violations: Up to $1,000 for certain violation types
- Repeat offenses: Escalating fines up to $5,000 per violation
- License disqualification: Permanent ban from obtaining future STRO licenses after three strikes
Venus Molina, chief of staff for City Council member Jennifer Campbell, told KPBS: "They will be disqualified from getting any licenses in the future, and you will not be a legitimate business. The fines are pretty steep, $1,000, and they accrue."
The Three-Strike Enforcement Policy
San Diego employs a third-party contractor to verify complaints, and hosts receive just one hour to respond after initial contact. While Molina noted the city "doesn't come after people right away" and gives "the benefit of the doubt," the three-strike policy means that even property owners trying to comply can face permanent disqualification if they make repeated mistakes.
For property owners facing violation notices, the path forward often involves expensive compliance upgrades, potential legal fees, and the constant stress of potential fines. Many decide the risk isn't worth the reward and choose to sell instead.
The San Diego Short-Term Rental ADU Ban: Another Layer of Restrictions
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) represent a significant portion of San Diego's housing stock, particularly following a 2020 bonus program that allowed multiple units on single lots. However, these properties face an outright San Diego short-term rental ban that catches many property owners by surprise.
The 2017 ADU STR Prohibition
In September 2017, San Diego City Council made it illegal to rent new ADUs as short-term vacation rentals. According to CBS8's investigation, the goal was to increase housing stock and improve affordability for San Diego residents.
The key restriction: Any ADU permitted after September 2017 is ineligible to be rented short-term. This prohibition was reinforced by state law through AB 881, SB 13, and AB 68, which explicitly prohibit municipalities from allowing ADUs built after January 1, 2020, to be used for rentals under 30 days.
Enforcement Gaps and Recent Crackdowns
An inewsource/KPBS analysis found that city officials had been inadvertently approving short-term rental licenses on ADU properties that weren't eligible—a problem that persisted for more than seven years after the ban took effect. It wasn't until late 2025 that both departments (Development Services and the Treasurer's Office) implemented a system to automatically block ADU owners from obtaining STRO licenses.
For property owners who purchased or built ADUs after 2017 with the intention of operating vacation rentals, this represents a fundamental impossibility. They cannot legally operate as STRs under any circumstances, leaving long-term rental or sale as their only options.
Geographic Impact: Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Analysis
The impact of San Diego short-term rental regulations varies dramatically by neighborhood, with coastal communities bearing the heaviest burden.
Mission Beach: Ground Zero for STR Restrictions
With its 30% allocation cap fully exhausted and a 186-person waitlist, Mission Beach represents the most restrictive STR market in San Diego. Property owners here face a unique challenge: as Truvi's analysis notes, "not many people want to live in Mission Beach long-term because it's essentially a vacation and a college community."
This creates a valuation crisis. Properties purchased as vacation rental investments can't be used for that purpose without a license, can't easily convert to desirable long-term rentals, and can't transfer their license status to new buyers. The result: depressed property values and motivated sellers looking for quick exits.
Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, and La Jolla
These popular coastal neighborhoods fall under Tier 3 licensing (the citywide 1% cap) and typically land in higher TOT zones due to their proximity to tourist attractions. With only 903 Tier 3 licenses remaining citywide as of December 2025, property owners in these areas face intense competition for the remaining permits.
Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach hosts also contend with higher enforcement scrutiny due to noise complaints and neighborhood concerns about vacation rental density. Properties in these areas that lose their license due to violations have virtually no chance of reacquiring one.
Downtown San Diego, East Village, and Little Italy
Downtown neighborhoods typically fall into Zone 3 (the highest 13.75% TOT rate) due to their proximity to the Convention Center. According to Inside San Diego, this zone captures properties closest to the convention center, maximizing tax revenue but also maximizing cost burden on operators.
These urban neighborhoods have fewer whole-home vacation rentals than coastal areas, but those that exist face the highest tax burden in the city—making profitability increasingly difficult.
Point Loma, Banker's Hill, and Mid-City Neighborhoods
These areas generally fall under lower TOT zones (11.75% or 12.75%) and face less competitive pressure for Tier 3 licenses than coastal hotspots. However, they still contend with the fundamental challenges of non-transferable licenses and strict enforcement.
North Park, South Park, Hillcrest, and University Heights see fewer vacation rental operations overall, as these neighborhoods cater more to long-term residents. Property owners here who attempted to operate STRs often find that demand doesn't justify the licensing costs and regulatory hassle.
The San Diego Short-Term Rental Non-Transferable License Problem and Property Value Impact
Perhaps the most financially devastating aspect of San Diego's STRO ordinance is the non-transferability of licenses. This single provision has fundamentally altered property values and investment calculations across the city.
How Non-Transferability Works
According to the City of San Diego's official STRO regulations, "licenses are not transferrable between ownership or location/dwelling unit." When you sell your property, your STRO license dies with the sale. The new owner must apply for their own license—and with Mission Beach at zero availability and citywide Tier 3 licenses down to just 903, that new owner likely won't get one.
The Valuation Crisis
Truvi's real estate analysis explains the valuation impact bluntly: "The value of that property is severely affected by the San Diego short term rental ordinance when an owner who has been operating an STR for years sells their home, as the license cannot transfer to the new owner."
Consider this scenario: You purchased a Mission Beach property for $1.2 million in 2020, generating $85,000 annually in vacation rental income. You've built up repeat guests, five-star reviews, and a profitable business over five years. Now you want to sell.
Under normal circumstances, buyers would pay a premium for that established income stream. But under San Diego's STRO ordinance, your license doesn't transfer. Your $85,000 annual income vanishes the moment escrow closes. The new buyer faces either:
- Joining the 186-person waitlist with no timeline for license availability
- Converting to long-term rental (difficult in Mission Beach's vacation-oriented market)
- Using the property as a personal residence
This fundamental shift in use potential directly impacts what buyers will pay—often reducing values by 15-25% compared to comparable properties without STR complications.
The Retirement Plan That Evaporated
Venus Molina captured the human impact in her comments to KPBS: "This is their livelihood, this is their retirement. They wanted the vacation rentals." For many property owners, particularly retirees who purchased coastal properties as income-generating investments, the combination of non-transferable licenses and regulatory restrictions has eliminated their planned retirement income.
These owners face a painful choice: continue operating under increasingly burdensome regulations with the knowledge that their property's resale value has plummeted, or sell now to a cash buyer who can close quickly without requiring STR income potential.
Financial Analysis: The True Cost of San Diego Short-Term Rental Compliance
Let's break down the actual costs of operating a compliant San Diego short-term rental to understand why so many property owners are choosing to exit the market.
Annual Operating Costs
Licensing and Taxes (Tier 4 Mission Beach property charging $250/night average):
- Tier 4 STRO license: $1,170 every two years ($585 annually)
- TOT tax (13.75% in highest zone): $34.38 per night, $10,314 annually at 60% occupancy (219 nights)
- Rental Unit Business Tax: Variable based on gross receipts
- Business Tax Certificate (non-owner hosts): Annual fee
Total annual regulatory costs: Approximately $11,000-$12,000 before property taxes, insurance, maintenance, or management fees.
The Profitability Squeeze
According to San Diego CA Short Term Rental Regulations guide, many hosts operated on 25-35% profit margins before the STRO ordinance. When you add $12,000 in new regulatory costs plus the risk of $1,000+ fines for violations, those margins shrink to 10-15% or disappear entirely.
For a property generating $55,000 in gross revenue (about $150/night at 70% occupancy), the regulatory burden alone represents over 20% of gross income. Factor in the 15-25% property value reduction from non-transferable licenses, and the investment case collapses.
When Selling Makes Financial Sense
Property owners should consider selling when:
- You're on a waitlist with no license: If you're number 186 on Mission Beach's list with zero licenses available, you're operating illegally or not operating at all
- Your profit margin falls below 15%: The risk-reward ratio no longer justifies the regulatory compliance burden
- You've received violation notices: Escalating fines and potential license disqualification make continuing extremely risky
- You can't transfer your license: If you're planning to sell within 3-5 years anyway, the non-transferability already impacts your value
- You own an ADU built after 2017: You literally cannot obtain a legal license under any circumstances
Exit Strategies: Selling Your San Diego Short-Term Rental Property in a Restricted Market
When continuing to operate your San Diego short-term rental becomes financially or legally untenable, understanding your exit options is critical.
Traditional Sale Challenges
Selling an STR property through traditional channels presents unique obstacles:
- Limited buyer pool: Most buyers can't replace your STR income, reducing demand
- Financing complications: Lenders may value the property lower without STR income potential
- Extended timelines: Marketing properties with regulatory complications takes 60-120 days on average
- Disclosure requirements: You must disclose license non-transferability and any violation history
- Reduced offers: Expect 10-20% below comparable properties without STR complications
The Cash Buyer Advantage
Selling to a cash buyer like San Diego Fast Cash Home Buyer eliminates these obstacles:
Speed: Close in 7-14 days versus 60-120 days with traditional sales
Certainty: No financing contingencies that might fall through due to STR complications
As-is condition: No need to repair, upgrade, or remove rental furnishings
License irrelevance: Cash buyers purchase based on underlying property value, not STR income potential
No showings: Avoid the disruption of multiple buyer tours while you're still trying to operate
Violation forgiveness: Cash buyers understand regulatory challenges and don't penalize you for compliance issues
Timing Your Sale
Market conditions matter when selling STR properties:
Best timing:
- Before license renewal (avoid paying $1,170 for a two-year license you won't use)
- After high season (you've captured peak rental income)
- Before receiving violation notices (sell before penalties accumulate)
- When citywide license availability drops below 500 (scarcity increases exit urgency)
Worst timing:
- Mid-violation case (fines are accruing daily)
- After losing your license (you've lost all operating ability)
- During low season (if you're selling traditionally, spring/summer brings better offers)
What Cash Buyers Look For
Cash buyers evaluate STR properties based on:
- Underlying location value: Is the property in a desirable neighborhood regardless of STR status?
- Long-term rental potential: Can it be converted to a conventional rental?
- Property condition: Physical state matters more than regulatory status
- Market comparables: What do similar properties sell for without STR complications?
- Future development potential: Is the property suitable for owner-occupancy or renovation?
Because cash buyers aren't dependent on your STR income stream, they can make competitive offers even when traditional buyers won't.
Case Study: Mission Beach Owner Exits After Waitlist Reality
While specific names aren't public, the scenario playing out across Mission Beach is remarkably consistent: owners purchased properties in 2019-2021 expecting to operate vacation rentals, only to discover in 2023 that all 1,097 licenses were gone and they'd landed on a 186-person waitlist with no timeline for availability.
One typical case involves a property purchased for $975,000 in 2020. The owner applied for a Tier 4 license in the July 2025 application period and received waitlist position number 143. Facing the reality that they might wait years for a license while paying $1,170 every two years just to stay on the waitlist, they chose to sell to a cash buyer in October 2025.
The cash buyer offered $825,000—about 15% below the $970,000 the owner hoped to get through traditional sale. However, after calculating 6% realtor commissions ($58,200), potential repairs requested during inspection ($15,000-$25,000), and three additional months of mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance while waiting for a traditional sale to close ($12,000), the net proceeds were nearly identical.
More importantly, the cash buyer closed in 11 days, eliminating the uncertainty and stress of continued waitlist status and potential violation enforcement if the owner attempted to operate without a license.
Frequently Asked Questions About San Diego STR Regulations and Property Sales
Can I still get an STR license in San Diego in 2025?
It depends on your San Diego short-term rental situation. As of December 2025, there are still 903 Tier 3 licenses available for whole-home rentals outside Mission Beach, and unlimited Tier 1 (up to 20 days) and Tier 2 (home-sharing) licenses. However, Mission Beach Tier 4 licenses have zero availability with a 186-person waitlist. According to the City of San Diego STRO page, licenses are issued on a first-come, first-served basis for Tier 3, but once that allocation is exhausted, you'll face the same waitlist situation as Mission Beach. If you need a Tier 4 Mission Beach license, you're looking at an indefinite wait with no guarantee of ever receiving one.
What is the current Mission Beach STR waitlist status?
Mission Beach's Tier 4 allocation of 1,097 licenses is fully exhausted with zero remaining. After the July-August 2025 application period, 186 applicants were placed on a waitlist through a random lottery. Waitlist positions only advance when existing license holders cancel their licenses—either by choice, due to property sales (licenses don't transfer), or through enforcement disqualification. There's no published timeline for how long waitlist applicants might wait, but with only 1,097 total licenses and low annual turnover, waiting 2-5+ years is realistic for those at the back of the line.
How much are San Diego TOT taxes for short-term rentals now?
Effective May 1, 2025, San Diego short-term rental operators face a three-zone TOT tax system based on proximity to the Convention Center. According to Avalara's tax analysis, the rates are 11.75% (furthest zone), 12.75% (middle zone), and 13.75% (closest zone). This represents an increase from the previous flat 10.5% rate. Property owners can check their specific zone on the city's interactive map. For a property in the highest zone charging $250 per night, you'll collect and remit $34.38 per night in TOT taxes—about $10,314 annually at 60% occupancy.
What are the penalties for operating an STR without a license in San Diego?
San Diego short-term rental penalties are severe and escalate quickly. The initial fine for operating without a license is $1,000, with daily penalties of $300 per day per violation for ongoing non-compliance. Certain violation types can reach $1,000 per occurrence. KPBS reported that the city employs a three-strike policy before permanently disqualifying violators from ever obtaining future licenses. With over 550 active enforcement cases as of 2025, the city is actively pursuing violations rather than looking the other way. Repeat offenders face escalating fines up to $5,000 per violation and permanent license disqualification.
Should I sell my STR property or wait for regulations to change?
This depends on your specific San Diego short-term rental situation, but regulations are unlikely to become less restrictive. The STRO ordinance passed with City Council support specifically to limit vacation rentals to 1% of housing stock, and the May 2025 TOT increases were voter-approved through Measure C. Key factors suggesting you should sell: (1) you're on a waitlist with no license, (2) you've received violation notices, (3) your profit margin has fallen below 15%, (4) you plan to sell within 3-5 years anyway (the non-transferable license already impacts value), or (5) you own an ADU built after 2017 (you'll never qualify for a license). The regulatory trend is toward stricter enforcement, not relaxation.
How quickly can I sell to a cash buyer in San Diego?
Reputable cash buyers like San Diego Fast Cash Home Buyer typically close San Diego short-term rental sales in 7-14 days compared to 60-120 days for traditional sales. The timeline is faster because there's no financing contingency (no appraisal or loan approval delays), no inspection repair negotiations, and no need to prepare your property for showing. You'll receive a cash offer within 24-48 hours of providing property details, can choose your closing date, and receive funds at closing. This speed is particularly valuable if you're facing accumulating violation fines, need to exit before your next license renewal, or want to avoid the uncertainty of marketing a property with STR complications.
Do cash buyers purchase properties with STR license restrictions?
Yes, cash buyers regularly purchase San Diego short-term rental properties with license complications because they evaluate based on underlying property value rather than vacation rental income potential. According to Truvi's market analysis, STR restrictions have created a specific niche of motivated sellers that cash buyers actively target. Whether you're on a waitlist, lost your license, own a post-2017 ADU that can't be licensed, or simply can't afford continued compliance costs, cash buyers understand these challenges and price accordingly. They're buying the real estate asset itself—the location, structure, and potential for long-term rental or owner-occupancy—not your STR business.
What happens to my STRO license when I sell my property?
Your STRO license is automatically canceled and cannot transfer to the new owner. The City of San Diego explicitly states that licenses are not transferrable between ownership or location/dwelling unit. When you sell, you must submit a STRO License Cancelation Form to the city. The new buyer must apply for their own license—and with Mission Beach at zero availability and citywide Tier 3 down to 903 remaining licenses, they likely won't get one. This non-transferability is why STR properties sell at 15-25% discounts compared to similar properties without licensing complications. Your years of building up repeat guests, reviews, and rental income provide zero value to the buyer under current regulations.
Are ADUs allowed to operate as short-term rentals in San Diego?
Generally no. Any ADU permitted after September 2017 is prohibited from San Diego short-term rental use, and state law reinforces this for ADUs built after January 1, 2020. According to CBS8's investigation, only permitted companion units before the October 15, 2017 prohibition qualify for STRO licensing. If you built or converted an ADU after 2017 with plans to operate it as a vacation rental, you cannot legally do so under any circumstances. Your only legal options are long-term rental (30+ days) or owner-occupancy. Many ADU owners who discovered this restriction after construction are choosing to sell to cash buyers rather than operate illegally or accept long-term rental returns.
What neighborhoods are most affected by San Diego STR regulations?
Coastal neighborhoods face the greatest San Diego short-term rental impact. Mission Beach is ground zero with its completely exhausted 1,097-license Tier 4 allocation and 186-person waitlist. Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, and La Jolla compete for the dwindling citywide Tier 3 allocation (903 remaining licenses). Downtown San Diego, East Village, and Little Italy face the highest TOT tax rate (13.75%) due to Convention Center proximity, squeezing profit margins. According to multiple sources, San Diego reduced total short-term rentals from approximately 16,000 in 2019 to around 9,500 in 2025—a 40% reduction concentrated in these high-demand coastal and urban areas where vacation rental demand was historically strongest.
Conclusion: Navigating the San Diego Short-Term Rental Crisis and Making the Right Exit Decision
San Diego short-term rental regulations represent one of the most restrictive frameworks in California, fundamentally reshaping the vacation rental market through strict license caps, non-transferable permits, escalating TOT taxes, and aggressive enforcement. With only 903 Tier 3 licenses remaining citywide, Mission Beach's complete exhaustion of its 1,097-license allocation, and over 550 active violation cases, the regulatory environment continues to tighten rather than ease.
For San Diego short-term rental property owners facing these mounting challenges—whether you're stuck on Mission Beach's 186-person waitlist, struggling with 13.75% TOT taxes and $1,170 licensing fees, dealing with violation notices, or discovering your post-2017 ADU can never be legally licensed—the financial and legal risks often outweigh the potential rewards of continued operation.
The non-transferability of San Diego short-term rental licenses creates a particularly devastating valuation problem: your years of building vacation rental income provide zero value to future buyers, often reducing property values by 15-25% compared to similar properties without STR complications. For many owners, particularly those who purchased properties specifically as vacation rental investments, this represents a fundamental breakdown of their investment thesis and retirement planning.
Your Fast Exit Option
If you've determined that selling your San Diego short-term rental is your best option, San Diego Fast Cash Home Buyer offers a straightforward solution. We purchase properties with STR complications in as-is condition, close in 7-14 days, and evaluate based on underlying real estate value rather than vacation rental income potential. Whether you're in Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Ocean Beach, Downtown San Diego, Point Loma, or any San Diego neighborhood, we buy properties regardless of license status, waitlist position, violation history, or ADU restrictions.
Our process eliminates the uncertainty of traditional sales where buyers balk at non-transferable licenses and financing falls through due to reduced appraisals. You'll receive a fair cash offer within 24-48 hours, choose your closing date, and move forward with certainty rather than wondering if regulations will tighten further or your property value will decline more.
The San Diego short-term rental crisis has created genuine hardship for property owners who played by the rules, invested in good faith, and now find themselves trapped by regulations that eliminate their income while simultaneously reducing their property's resale value. You don't have to navigate this alone or wait for regulations that likely won't improve.
Contact San Diego Fast Cash Home Buyer today for a no-obligation cash offer on your STR property. We close in 7-14 days, purchase in any condition, and provide the fast, certain exit you need from San Diego's increasingly restrictive vacation rental market.
Get a Cash Offer for Your STR Property with License Complications
Whether you're on a waitlist, facing violations, or own an unlicensable ADU, get a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours. Close in 7-14 days with complete certainty—no license transfer required, no repairs, no uncertainty.
Get Your Cash Offer NowSources & Citations
- City of San Diego - Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) - Official STRO regulations and licensing
- Inside San Diego - Applications for Mission Beach Whole Home Short-Term Rental Licenses - Mission Beach waitlist data
- CBS8 San Diego - Deadline for STRO is May 1; Mission Beach area has zero licenses - Mission Beach license exhaustion
- OODA Management - San Diego Short-Term Rental Regulations 2025 - Licensing fees and tier structure
- Avalara - New lodging tax rates for San Diego short-term rentals - TOT tax zone analysis
- Times of San Diego - City to Raise Hotel Room Tax on May 1 - TOT revenue projections
- KPBS - Complaints pour in as San Diego begins crackdown on short term rentals - Enforcement and penalties
- CBS8 - ADUs rented out as short-term rentals - ADU STR prohibition details
- inewsource - San Diego allowed ADUs to become vacation rentals, illegally - ADU enforcement analysis
- Truvi - San Diego short-term rentals law impact - Property valuation impact
- Steadily - Airbnb & Short Term Rental Laws in San Diego - Market overview
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