Are short-term rentals allowed in Del Mar?

**No**, short-term rentals are prohibited in Del Mar's residential zones. The city operates under permissive zoning, and because STRs are not explicitly listed as a permitted use, they are illegal and actively enforced. While the city attempted to draft regulations, efforts stalled.

What is the TOT tax rate in Del Mar?

**13% TOT** is the transient occupancy tax rate in Del Mar. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. Check with the city's finance department for specific instructions on reporting and payment schedules, as well as any applicable exemptions.

Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Del Mar?

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Del Mar, though standard state and county regulations may still apply. However, because short-term rentals are prohibited in residential zones, operating an STR is illegal. Always check with the Del Mar zoning office before operating a short-term rental.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Del Mar?

**No**, renters cannot legally host on Airbnb in Del Mar. Short-term rentals are prohibited in all residential zones, meaning neither property owners nor tenants are permitted to operate them. Violations are actively enforced, so it is important to check with the city before listing a rental.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Del Mar?

**Penalties** can vary for operating an illegal STR in Del Mar. As short-term rentals are prohibited in residential zones, operating one can result in fines and legal action. Contact the city's code enforcement or planning department for detailed information on potential penalties and compliance requirements.

Del Mar

Prohibited

CaliforniaUpdated Apr 12, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals (defined as stays of less than 30 consecutive days) are PROHIBITED in all residential zones within the City of Del Mar. The city operates under permissive zoning, meaning because STRs are not explicitly listed as a permitted use, they are illegal. While the city attempted to draft regulations in recent years, those efforts were stalled by Coastal Commission requirements, and the default prohibition remains in effect and is actively enforced.

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Residential STRs prohibited
All residential property types prohibited
Severe night cap: 0 nights/year
Long minimum stay: 30 nights
Tenants cannot host
No STR-specific permit required
No primary residence requirement
No STR-specific fee

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Del Mar, you must rent your property for at least 30 consecutive days. Stays of less than 30 days are strictly prohibited in all residential areas of the city. While many properties still list on platforms, they are doing so in violation of city code and risk significant daily fines. The city does not issue permits for short-term vacation rentals and actively pursues enforcement against illegal listings.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredNo

Night limitYes

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Short-term rentals of less than 30 days are completely prohibited in residential zones.
2Del Mar follows 'Permissive Zoning'—if a use isn't listed as allowed, it is banned.
3Renting for 29 days or fewer is considered a violation of the municipal code.
4The TOT rate was increased to 13% in 2023, though this primarily applies to legal hotels/motels.
5Enforcement is active and can result in fines up to $1,000 per day.
6Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are also prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.
7Properties in unincorporated San Diego County follow different rules; verify your parcel is within City limits.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Del Mar: Short-term rentals of less than 30 days are completely prohibited in residential zones.
Del Mar: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Del Mar, CA: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements13 rules

Del Mar: Del Mar follows 'Permissive Zoning'—if a use isn't listed as allowed, it is banned.
Del Mar STR warning: Renting for 29 days or fewer is considered a violation of the municipal code.

Application process4 rules

Del Mar STR permit - Step 1: Acknowledge Prohibition. Short-term rentals (less than 30 consecutive days) are not a permitted use in any residential zone in the City of Del Mar.

Taxes2 rules

Del Mar charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 13%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: As the use is prohibited, there is no voluntary collection agreement for residential STRs.
Del Mar: The TOT rate was increased to 13% in 2023, though this primarily applies to legal hotels/motels.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Del Mar enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 8:00 AM.
Del Mar: Properties in unincorporated San Diego County follow different rules; verify your parcel is within City limits.
Del Mar requires a minimum stay of 30 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Del Mar requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.

Penalties4 rules

Del Mar: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
Del Mar: Enforcement is active and can result in fines up to $1,000 per day.
Del Mar enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by enforcement action. Daily fine: Up to $1,000 per violation. Criminal penalties may apply.

Exemptions3 rules

Del Mar, CA: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Del Mar: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Del Mar exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Del Mar

Prohibited

CaliforniaUpdated Apr 12, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Residential STRs prohibited
All residential property types prohibited
Severe night cap: 0 nights/year
Long minimum stay: 30 nights
Tenants cannot host
No STR-specific permit required
No primary residence requirement
No STR-specific fee

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredNo

Night limitYes

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Short-term rentals of less than 30 days are completely prohibited in residential zones.
2Del Mar follows 'Permissive Zoning'—if a use isn't listed as allowed, it is banned.
3Renting for 29 days or fewer is considered a violation of the municipal code.
4The TOT rate was increased to 13% in 2023, though this primarily applies to legal hotels/motels.
5Enforcement is active and can result in fines up to $1,000 per day.
6Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are also prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.
7Properties in unincorporated San Diego County follow different rules; verify your parcel is within City limits.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Del Mar: Short-term rentals of less than 30 days are completely prohibited in residential zones.
Del Mar: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Del Mar, CA: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements13 rules

Del Mar: Del Mar follows 'Permissive Zoning'—if a use isn't listed as allowed, it is banned.
Del Mar STR warning: Renting for 29 days or fewer is considered a violation of the municipal code.

Application process4 rules

Del Mar STR permit - Step 1: Acknowledge Prohibition. Short-term rentals (less than 30 consecutive days) are not a permitted use in any residential zone in the City of Del Mar.

Taxes2 rules

Del Mar charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 13%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: As the use is prohibited, there is no voluntary collection agreement for residential STRs.
Del Mar: The TOT rate was increased to 13% in 2023, though this primarily applies to legal hotels/motels.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Del Mar enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 8:00 AM.
Del Mar: Properties in unincorporated San Diego County follow different rules; verify your parcel is within City limits.
Del Mar requires a minimum stay of 30 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Del Mar requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.

Penalties4 rules

Del Mar: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
Del Mar: Enforcement is active and can result in fines up to $1,000 per day.
Del Mar enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by enforcement action. Daily fine: Up to $1,000 per violation. Criminal penalties may apply.

Exemptions3 rules

Del Mar, CA: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Del Mar: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Del Mar exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Are short-term rentals allowed in Del Mar?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Del Mar?

3Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Del Mar?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Del Mar?

5What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Del Mar?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Are short-term rentals allowed in Del Mar?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Del Mar?

3Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Del Mar?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Del Mar?

5What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Del Mar?

Disclaimer