On May 28, 2024 the Vista City Council approved a Code Amendment to permit and regulate short-term rentals. Effective July 1, 2024, the amendment creates a permitting process for short-term rental operations to ensure compatibility with, and to safeguard the peace, safety and general welfare of, existing residential neighborhoods.

Short-term rentals (STR) are dwelling units that are approved for development under separate provisions of the Vista Development Code, and transient occupancy is currently subject to the payment of Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) under Chapter 3.24 of the Vista Municipal Code.

STRs within the city limits of Vista, CA are required to hold a valid STR Permit and remit Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) quarterly for nights that the property is occupied by guests for 30 consecutive calendar days or less.

Per our Vista STR ordinance, STR excludes any accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Per state law, rentals of ADUs must be for terms longer than 30 days. "Short-term rentals exclude the following: any accessory dwelling unit permitted under Chapter 18.31 of the Development Code; any trailer coach as defined in Chapter 18.02 of the Development Code; and any oversized recreational vehicle as defined in Section 10.34.010.B of this Code."

If you received a renewal notice, you may renew your STR permit in the portal. To access the portal, click here.

Application Process

• The City of Vista utilizes a paperless, online system for the STR Program. Our online portal gives you access to your STR account 24/7 to make online payments for transient occupancy tax (TOT) and/or STR permits, as well as easily manage your account and view all recent transactions.  To access the portal, click here.

• The application must be submitted by the property owner(s) or their authorized agent. Owner(s), agent(s), and the 24/7 local contact person are required to review the City of Vista Municipal Code (VMC) Chapter 8.34 Short-Term Rental Permit regulations. Failure to comply with the regulations may result in Code Enforcement action(s) against the unit, which includes, and is not limited to: fines, suspension, and/or revocation of the Short-Term Rental Permit. To read the VMC, click here.

Before You Apply

• Be sure you have the following information available when completing the registration application. Please note, your application will not be saved unless you complete it fully and submit payment at the final step.

  • STR property address.
  • Number of bedrooms in the STR.
  • Number of on-site parking spaces available at the STR.
  • For Hosted Units, is this owner-occupied/in-unit or immediately adjacent to lot during rental?
  • For Non-Hosted Units, is the owner not on-site during the rental period?
  • Number of fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide alarms.
  • The name(s) and contact information for all owners listed on the property deed. For non-corporeal owners, such as partnerships and corporations, this information shall be completed by the entity’s duly authorized agent(s) or such individual(s) otherwise permitted by law to apply on the entity’s behalf.   

• The following items must be submitted with your application:
  • Copy of application and all other forms that renters are required to complete
  • Copy of house rules given to renters
  • Copy of current government-issued photo ID

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any issue while filing your application or would like to get a quick summary on Short-Term Rental information, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions document.

Review Process

• After you apply for your STR permit via the online portal, the complete application packet will be reviewed by Planning Department staff.

• Once fees are collected, Business License staff will issue a single certificate that includes the Business License, TOT Certificate, and Short-Term Rental Permit.  This certificate will be emailed to you.

• A TOT packet, with all the information you will need regarding Transient Occupancy Tax, will also be emailed once registration is complete.

Online STR Portal - Pay TOT

• Register and pay your TOT via the online portal
  

Resources 

• Issued Short-Term Rental Permits
• Short-Term Rental Ordinance
• Transient Occupancy Tax Ordinance
• Short-Term Rental Operational Requirements
• STR Exterior Complaint Phone Number Display
• Frequently Asked Questions

Complaints

• How to file an STR complaint:
  • Report the issue to the 24/7 Local Designated Contact
    • You can find the 24/7 contact by zooming in on the map and selecting a property or by clicking on "List" on the upper right hand corner of the portal
  • Submit a complaint via the online portal or by phone at 760.650.3758

Contact

200 Civic Center Drive, 1st Floor, Vista CA 92084

The Community Development counter is open 8:30 am-5:30 pm Monday-Thursday 
and 8:30 am-4:30 pm every other Friday. 

Planning: 760.639.6100 or via email

Transient Occupancy Tax: 760.639.6174 or via email

For STR and Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate questions, please email TOT staff.

For STR ordinance related questions, please email Planning staff.