HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 2021-3514ORDINANCE NO. 3514
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ADDING
CHAPTER 5.68, “SHORT-TERM RENTALS” TO TITLE 5 OF
THE CHULA VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH
REGULATIONS, STANDARDS, AND A PERMITTING
PROCESS FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS
WHEREAS, in recent years, technology and innovation have expanded the renting of
residential dwelling units for transient stays of less than thirty (30) days (“Short-Term Rentals”)
as a form of lodging in which visitors are able to stay in and experience a local community; and
WHEREAS, Short-Term Rentals provide an opportunity for residents to generate
supplemental income by participating in the sharing economy, generate Transient Occupancy
Taxes (“TOT”) to the City, support economic activity, and provide an alternative form of lodging
to visitors to Chula Vista; and
WHEREAS, Short-Term Rentals represent a commercial use in a residential neighborhood
and can result in negative impacts to the surrounding residents; and
WHEREAS, the City has experienced a significant increase in the number of complaints
received relating to the operation of Short-Term Rentals, including complaints regarding behavior
of occupants, noise, availability of on-street parking, and increased trash; and
WHEREAS, Short-Term Rentals in property other than a primary residence are more likely
to create unfavorable consequences, including negative impacts on the residential character of
surrounding neighborhoods and increasing nuisance activity; and
WHEREAS, the City has a legitimate governmental interest in preserving the residential
character of neighborhoods that enhance the quality of life for its residents and visitors by
minimizing the adverse impacts of Short-Term Rentals through regulation; and
WHEREAS, the conversion of long-term housing units to Short-Term Rentals reduces
housing stock, increasing rents and decreasing availability of affordable housing; and
WHEREAS, the housing shortage in California is well documented and the conversion of
long-term housing stock to short-term rentals is detrimental to the City’s economic vitality and
quality of life of our residents; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance will protect the City’s long-term rental housing stock by
limiting each permittee to one (1) primary-residence Short-Term Rental and one (1) non-primary
residence Short-Term Rental; and
WHEREAS, existing law requires Short-Term Rentals to register with the City’s Finance
Department and to collect and remit TOT to the City; and
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WHEREAS, approximately 350 properties in Chula Vista are offered as Short-Term
Rentals, but as of October 2021, only 125 properties have registered with the City’s Finance
Department and are remitting TOT; and
WHEREAS, the City has a legitimate interest in ensuring the collection and payment of
TOT; and
WHEREAS, the Chula Vista Municipal Code does not adequately address the issue of
regulating the permitting and operation of Short-Term Rentals and on March 16, 2021, the City
Council received a report and directed staff to conduct public outreach and draft such regulations;
and
WHEREAS, staff held two community outreach events and conducted an online survey to
collect stakeholder input; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to its police powers, including but not limited to California
Constitution Article XI, Sections 5(a) and 7 authority over municipal affairs, the City of Chula
Vista has general authority to enact and enforce ordinances for the public peace, health, safety,
and welfare of its residents; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City Council to adopt a comprehensive set of
requirements, restrictions, and robust enforcement procedures with regard to the operation of
Short-Term rental units in the City in order to preserve and protect the public peace, health, safety,
and welfare of its residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does ordain as follows:
Section I. Chapter 5.68 is added to the Chula Vista Municipal Code to read as follows:
Chapter 5.68
SHORT-TERM RENTALS
Sections:
5.68.010 Title.
5.68.020 Purpose and Intent.
5.68.030 Definitions.
5.68.040 Permit Required.
5.68.050 Eligibility Requirements.
5.68.060 Agents.
5.68.070 Permit Application Requirements.
5.68.080 Renewals.
5.68.090 Transfers.
5.68.100 Term of Permit.
5.68.110 Operational Requirements.
5.68.120 Short-Term Rental Event Permit.
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5.68.130 Limitations on City’s Liability.
5.68.140 Audit Inspection.
5.68.150 Responsibilities of Hosting Platforms.
5.68.160 Violations/Penalties.
5.68.170 Procedure for Imposition of Modification, Suspension and/or Revocation of Short-
Term Rental Permit.
5.68.180 Appeal Procedures.
5.68.190 Effect of Short-Term Rentals Ordinance on Other Provisions of Code.
5.68.200 Promulgation of Regulations, Standards, and Other Legal Duties.
5.68.210 No Vested Rights.
5.68.220 Effective Date.
5.68.010 TITLE.
Chapter 5.68 is known as the "Short-Term Rentals Ordinance," may be cited as such, and will be
referred to herein as "this chapter."
5.68.020 PURPOSE AND INTENT.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish rules governing the Short-Term Rental (defined below)
of Dwellings (defined below) within the City. With such rules, with respect to Short-Term Rental
activities, the City desires to ensure the collection and payment of Transient Occupancy Ta xes;
reduce the burden on City services; minimize the negative secondary effects of such use on
residential neighborhoods; and ensure that such Short-Term Rental activities do not become a
nuisance, or threaten the health, safety or welfare of persons residing in residential neighborhoods
and patronizing Short-Term Rentals.
5.68.030 DEFINITIONS.
The definitions contained in this section shall govern the construction, meaning and application of
words and phrases used in this chapter.
A. "Agent" means a Person engaged or appointed by an Applicant or Permittee to represent
and act on behalf of an Applicant or Permittee (as defined in these definitions) and to act as an
operator, manager and/or Local Contact Person of a Dwelling used or to be used as a Short -Term
Rental Unit or Short-Term Rental Property and designated as such by the Applicant or Permittee
in accordance with Section 5.68.060.
B. “Applicant” means a Person that has applied for a Short-Term Rental Permit. Applicants
may be Owners or Long-Term Tenants.
C. “Bedroom” means a room designated primarily for sleeping that meets the definition of the
California Building Codes currently adopted by the City. Lofts that meet California Building Code
egress requirements are considered a bedroom for the purposes of this definition.
D. “City Manager” means the City Manager of the City, or designee.
E. "Director of Development Services" means the Director of Development Services of the
City, or designee.
F. "Dwelling" has the meaning provided in Section 19.04.074 of this code. "Dwelling" also
means a dwelling unit on the same parcel as a legally established single-family dwelling that is
allowed in the zone in which located, having its own complete independent living accommodations
and facilities for one or more Persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating,
cooking and sanitation and may sometimes be referred to interchangeably in this chapter as a
"Dwelling Unit".
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G. "Enforcement Officer" means the Director of Development Services, the Code
Enforcement Manager, any Code Enforcement Officer, the Building Official, any sworn Officer
of the Police Department, the Fire Chief, the Fire Marshal, or any other City department head (to
the extent responsible for enforcing provisions of this code), their respective des ignees, or any
other City employee designated by the Director of Development Services or City Manager to
enforce this chapter.
H. “Expiration Date” means the last day of the month occurring twelve (12) months from the
date of permit issuance (e.g., if the permit is issued on March 15th, the Expiration Date shall be
March 30th of the following year).
I. "Hosting Platform" means a Person or entity that facilitates a Short-Term Rental for an
Owner or an Agent, and derives revenues therefrom, including without limitation booking fees,
subscription charges or advertising revenues, from such facilitation. "Facilitate" shall mean
without limitation the act of allowing the Owner or an Agent to offer to list or advertise the Short-
Term Rental on the Internet web site provided or maintained by the Hosting Platform. A Hosting
Platform does not include any Person licensed to practice real estate as defined in the California
Business and Professions Code.
J. "Local Contact Person" means a Person designated by an Owner or an Agent, who, if
designated to act as such, shall be available twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per
week for the purpose of: (i) being able to physically respond within one (1) hour of notification of
a complaint regarding the condition, operation or conduct of Occupants of the Dwelling, and (ii)
taking remedial action necessary to resolve any such complaints. A Local Contact Person may be
the Owner or an Agent.
K. “Long-Term Tenant” means the long-term (greater than thirty (30) days) renter or lessee
of a Dwelling.
L. “Non-Primary Residence” means a Dwelling that is not a Primary Residence. For
properties with two (2) or more existing legally permitted Dwelling Units (e.g., a duplex), the term
“Non-Primary Residence” shall mean each unit located on that property, excluding Accessory
Dwelling Units or a Junior Accessory Dwelling Units for which a construction permit was applied
for on January 1, 2020, or later. Accessory Dwelling Units or Junior Accessory Dwelling Units for
which a construction permit was applied for prior to January 1, 2020, and any other accessory
habitable structures that are located on a Non-Primary Residence property shall be considered part
of the primary single-family residence for purposes of this chapter.
M. “Non-Primary Residence Short-Term Rental” means a Non-Primary Residence being
operated as a Short-Term Rental.
N. "Occupant" means any Person who is on or in a Short-Term Rental Property other than
service providers, the Owner, or the Long-Term Tenant, whether or not the Person stays overnight.
O. "Owner" means the Person(s) or entity(ies) that holds legal or equitable title to a property
containing a Dwelling. "
P. “Partial-Home Short-Term Rental” means the rental of any portion of a Dwelling while the
Owner or Long-Term Tenant is physically present and residing in the Dwelling Unit. Rental of an
Accessory Dwelling Unit or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit for which a construction permit was
applied for prior to January 1, 2020, or any other accessory habitable structure that is not a Primar y
Residence shall be considered a Partial-Home Short-Term Rental if the Owner or Long-Term
Tenant is physically present and residing in at least one Dwelling Unit on the Short-Term Rental
Property during the rental period.
Q. “Permittee” means a Person that holds a duly issued and valid Short-Term Rental Permit.
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R. "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, social club,
fraternal organization, joint stock company, corporation, estate, trust, business trust, receiver,
trustee, syndicate, or any other group or combination acting as a unit.
S. “Primary Residence” means a Person’s permanent residence or usual place of return for
housing as documented by at least two (2) of the following: motor vehicle registration; driver’s
license; voter registration; tax documents showing the residential unit as the Person’s residence;
or a utility bill. A Person may have only one (1) Primary Residence and must reside there for a
minimum of two hundred seventy-five (275) days during the calendar year. For properties with
two (2) or more existing legally permitted Dwelling Units (e.g., a duplex), the term “Primary
Residence” shall apply individually, to each unit that meets the criteria previously described.
Accessory Dwelling Units or Junior Accessory Dwelling Units for which a construction permit
was applied for prior to January 1, 2020, and any other accessory habitable structures that are
located on a Short-Term Rental Property and do not meet the criteria previously described shall be
considered part of the primary single-family residence for purposes of this chapter.
T. “Primary Residence Short-Term Rental” means a Primary Residence being operated as a
Short-Term Rental.
U. "Rent" means the consideration charged for the occupancy of space in a hotel, campsite, or
Dwelling valued in money, whether to be received in money, goods, labor or otherwise, including
all receipts, cash, credits and property and services of any kind or nature, without any deduction
therefrom whatsoever.
V. "Responsible Person" means each Person that is a party to an agreement for the rental, use
and occupancy of a Short-Term Rental Unit.
W. "Short-Term Rental" means the rental of a Dwelling or a portion thereof, by the Owner or
a Long-Term Tenant to another Person or group of Persons for occupancy, dwelling, lodging, or
sleeping purposes for a period of less than thirty (30) consecutive calendar days, but for no less
than one (1) night in exchange for Rent. The rental of units within City-approved hotels, motels,
bed and breakfasts, and time-share projects shall not be considered to be a Short-Term Rental.
X. “Short-Term Rental Event Permit” means a permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this
chapter that allow the use of a Short-Term Rental Unit for the hosting of any event that exceeds
the maximum occupancy of the Short-Term Rental Unit.
Y. "Short-Term Rental Permit" means a permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this
chapter that allows the use of a Dwelling as a Short-Term Rental.
Z. "Short-Term Rental Property" means a parcel of real property, as shown on the latest
equalized tax assessment roll as maintained by the assessor of the County of San Diego, upon
which a Short-Term Rental Unit is maintained. "Short-Term Rental Property" includes the
premises upon which a Short-Term Rental Unit is located, including parking areas, driveways,
landscaping, accessory structures, fences, walls, swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, tennis and other
sports courts, and other similar and related improvements.
AA. "Short-Term Rental Unit" means a Dwelling, or any portion thereof, which is being rented,
or is intended to be rented, as a Short-Term Rental to a Person or group of Persons.
BB. “Whole-Home Short-Term Rental” means the rental of the entirety of a Dwelling while the
Owner or Long-Term Tenant is not physically present and residing in the Dwelling Unit.
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5.68.040 PERMIT REQUIRED.
A. No Person shall undertake, maintain, facilitate, advertise for Rent, list, or Rent a Dwelling
Unit as a Short-Term Rental within the City that does not comply with the requirements of this
chapter. This prohibition includes Dwelling Units advertised for Rent, listed, or Rented for events,
parties, weddings, or similar activities of a commercial nature.
B. The Short-Term Rental of a Dwelling is subject to the City's business license requirements
(Chapter 5.02 of this code) and the City’s transient occupancy tax requirements (Chapter 3.40 of
this code). For purposes of the City’s transient occupancy tax requirements, the Permittee of a
Short-Term Rental shall be considered an Operator and the Responsible Person shall be considered
a Transient. In the event that a Short-Term Rental is being operated without a valid Short-Term
Rental Permit, the Owner or Long-Term Tenant, as applicable, shall be considered an Operator for
purposes of the transient occupancy tax requirements. The payment of a tax imposed under this
chapter shall not be construed to authorize the conduct or continuance of any illegal Short -Term
Rental or of a legal Short-Term Rental in an illegal manner. Nothing in this chapter authorizes or
implies the lawfulness of any activity connected with Short-Term Rentals unless otherwise
authorized and allowed in strict and full conformance with this code.
C. It is a violation of this chapter for an Owner or Long-Term Tenant of a Dwelling to
establish or operate a Short-Term Rental without first obtaining and maintaining both a valid
business license pursuant to Chapter 5.02 of this code and a Short-Term Rental Permit for each
property to be used as a Short-Term Rental.
D. It is a violation of this chapter for any Person to establish or operate a Short-Term Rental
in the City unless the Owner or Long-Term Tenant has a valid, unexpired Short-Term Rental
Permit for such Short-Term Rental pursuant to this chapter. Short-Term Rental Properties with
two (2) or more existing legally permitted Dwelling Units (e.g., a duplex) must secure a Short-
Term Rental Permit for each Dwelling Unit that will be offered for Short-Term Rental.
5.68.050 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.
The following requirements must be met at the time of submitting an application for a permit to
operate a Short-Term Rental:
A. The Applicant’s Primary Residence must be located in the City.
B. The Dwelling Unit shall not be an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or a Junior Accessory
Dwelling Unit (JADU) for which a construction permit was applied for on January 1, 2020, or
later.
C. The Dwelling Unit shall not be a deed restricted affordable housing unit, in a special group
residence, or a single room occupancy.
D. A Long-Term Tenant shall not operate a Short-Term Rental without prior written approval
of the Owner, such written approval to be provided to the City at the time of application for a
Short-Term Rental Permit. An Owner may proactively prohibit Short-Term Rental subletting by
tenants at any or all of their owned properties by submitting a notification in writing to the
Development Services Department.
E. The Applicant shall not have been subject to a Short-Term Rental Permit revocation during
the previous twenty-four (24) month period.
F. The Dwelling Unit shall not have been subject to a Short-Term Rental Permit revocation
during the previous twenty-four (24) month period, provided that the Director of Development
Services may consider 100% transfers in Ownership of the Dwelling Unit in implementing this
provision.
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G. An Applicant may not hold a Short-Term Rental Permit for more than one (1) Non-Primary
Residence Short-Term Rental at any given time.
5.68.060 AGENTS.
A. An Applicant or Permittee may retain an Agent to comply with the requirements of this
chapter, including, without limitation, (a) filing of supplemental information or documentation for
a pending application on behalf of an Applicant or Permittee in accordance with this chapter, (b)
filing of a complete application for renewal of a Short-Term Rental Permit that has been signed
and notarized by the Permittee, (c) management of a Short-Term Rental Property or Short-Term
Rental Unit, (d) filing of all reports and remittance of transient occupancy taxes, and (e)
compliance with the conditions of the Short-Term Rental Permit and the requirements of this
chapter.
B. The Short-Term Rental Permit shall be issued only to and in the name of the Permittee of
a Short-Term Rental Unit, who shall be responsible for all requirements of this chapter.
Notwithstanding subsection 5.68.060(A), the Owner or Long-Term Tenant of a Short-Term Rental
Unit shall not be relieved of any personal responsibility or personal liability for non-compliance
with any applicable law, rule or regulation pertaining to the use and occupancy of the subject
Short-Term Rental Unit, regardless of whether such non-compliance was committed by an Agent,
a Local Contact Person, Responsible Persons, or the Occupants of the Owner's Short-Term Rental
Unit.
5.68.070 PERMIT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.
A. The Director of Development Services is authorized to issue Short-Term Rental Permits
pursuant to this chapter.
B. A permit application shall be submitted to the Director of Development Services upon
forms provided by the City and signed by the Applicant under penalty of perjury and shall be
accompanied by the permit application fee, as presently designated, or as may be in the future
amended, in the master fee schedule of the City. If the property is held in trust or is part of a limited
liability company (“LLC”), the trustee or the general member of the LLC must sign the Short-
Term Rental Permit application. If the property is held in a corporation’s name, the corporati on’s
duly authorized agent shall sign the Short-Term Rental Permit application.
C. The Applicant or the Applicant's Agent, as the case may be, shall within five (5) business
days, upon a change of any of the information contained in or accompanying such appli cation,
notify the City of such change.
D. An application may be denied if a Short-Term Rental Permit for the same Dwelling or
issued to the same Applicant has previously been revoked or suspended.
E. The Director of Development Services shall review each application for completeness and
accuracy before it is accepted as being complete and officially filed.
F. In the event that the Director of Development Services determines that an application is
incomplete or fails to provide the information and documentation required by this chapter, the
Director of Development Services shall notify the applicant in writing, and the Applicant shall
have thirty (30) calendar days (or longer as authorized by the Director of Development Services)
in which to submit the needed supplemental information or documentation as specified by the
Director of Development Services. after the date of notice. The City reserves the right to request
additional information and documentation from an Applicant regarding an application for renewal
of a Short-Term Rental Permit and to accept responses to requests for supplemental information
or documentation. Failure to submit the required information within the thirty (30) day period may
be cause for denial of the application.
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G. The Director of Development Services may require an on-site inspection of the property to
be performed by an Enforcement Officer during daytime business hours before confirming that the
application complies with all the applicable criteria and provisions of this chapter.
H. As a part of the approval of a permit application, the Director of Development Services
may impose such conditions in connection with the permit as he or she deems reasonably necessary
in order to fulfill the purposes of this chapter and may require reasonable guarantees and evidence
that such conditions will be satisfied.
I. The Director of Development shall approve an application for a Short-Term Rental Permit
provided that:
1. At the time of submission of the application, or at any time during the processing
of the application, the Dwelling Unit and the Applicant meet the eligibility requirements
of Section 5.68.050, and the application meets the conditions of permit issuance pursuant
to this section, including payment of the required fees.
2. Such approval shall be conditioned upon and subject to compliance with the
conditions identified by the Director of Development Services in the renewal, the
operational requirements of Section 5.68.110, and with all other terms, conditions, and
requirements of this chapter and the code.
J. If a permit application is denied, the Director of Development Services shall notify the
Applicant in writing. The notice will set forth the reasons for denial and the procedures for an
appeal of the Director of Development Services’ determination.
K. The Director of Development Services’ determination on the issuance or denial of a Short-
Term Rental Permit in response to a pending application or a renewal of a duly issued Short-Term
Rental Permit may be appealed in accordance with the appeal procedures of Section 5.68.180 of
this chapter.
L. Upon issuance of a Short-Term Rental Permit in response to a permit application, the
Permittee shall comply with all requirements of the business license provisions and transient
occupancy tax provisions of this code for the Short-Term Rental Unit.
5.68.080 RENEWALS.
A. If a Permittee desires to renew a Short-Term Rental Permit, the Permittee must apply for
and renew a Short-Term Rental Permit annually. Permittee’s request for renewal shall indicate any
changes to the information or requirements set forth in Section 5.68.070, above.
B. The application for renewal must be filed not later than 30 days prior to the Expiration Date
set forth on the permit.
C. The application for renewal shall be submitted to the Director of Development Services
upon forms provided by the City and signed by the Permittee under penalty of perjury and shall be
accompanied by the permit renewal fee as presently designated, or as may be in the future
amended, in the master fee schedule of the City. If the property is held in trust or is part of a limited
liability company (“LLC”), the trustee or the general member of the LLC must sign the Short-
Term Rental Permit application. If the property is held in a corporation’s name, the corporation’s
duly authorized agent shall sign the Short-Term Rental Permit application.
D. The Permittee or the Permittee's Agent, as the case may be, shall within five (5) business
days, upon a change of any of the information contained in or accompanying such renewal
application, notify the City of such change.
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E. The Director of Development Services shall review each application for renewal of a duly
issued permit for completeness and accuracy before it is accepted as being complete and officially
filed.
F. In the event that the Director of Development Services determines that an application for
renewal is incomplete or fails to provide the information and documentation required by this
chapter, the Director of Development Services shall notify the Permittee in writing, and the
Permittee shall have thirty (30) calendar days (or longer as authorized by the Director of
Development Services) in which to submit needed supplemental information or documentation as
specified by the Director of Development Services. The City reserves the right to request additional
information and documentation from a Permittee regarding an application for renewal of a Short-
Term Rental Permit and to accept responses to requests for supplemental information or
documentation. Failure to submit the required information within the thirty (30) day period may
be cause for denial of the renewal.
G. The Director of Development Services may require an on-site inspection of the property to
be performed by an Enforcement Officer during daytime business hours before confirming that the
application complies with all the applicable criteria and provisions of this chapter.
H. As a part of the approval of a renewal application, the Director of Development Services
may impose such conditions in connection with the permit as he or she deems reasonably necessary
in order to fulfill the purposes of this chapter and may require reasonable guarantees and evidence
that such conditions will be satisfied.
I. If a timely and complete application for renewal of a Short-Term Rental Permit is
submitted, the Short-Term Rental Permit previously and duly issued, valid and in effect prior to
its Expiration Date, the permit shall be automatically extended until the date a determination is
made by the Director of Development Services to approve or deny such application for renewal.
J. The Director of Development Services shall approve the renewal of a Short-Term Rental
Permit provided that:
1. At the time of submission of the application for renewal, or at any time during the
processing of the application for renewal, the Dwelling Unit and the Permittee meet the
eligibility requirements of Section 5.68.050, and the application meets the conditions of
permit issuance pursuant to Section 5.68.070, including payment of the required fees.
2. The Director of Development Services finds that no circumstances existed during
the term of the permit which would cause a violation to continue to exist.
3. There are no building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire, health, police, or other
code enforcement violations that involve a risk to public or private health or safety (in such
event issuance of the permit or the permit renewal may be delayed until the risk to public
or private health or safety is resolved).
4. A previous suspension or revocation proceeding may be a basis for denial.
5. Such approval shall be conditioned upon and subject to compliance with the
conditions identified by the Director of Development Services in the renewal, the
operational requirements of Section 5.68.110, and with all other terms, conditions, and
requirements of this chapter and the code.
K. If an application for renewal of a duly issued Short-Term Rental Permit is denied, the
Director of Development Services shall notify the Permittee in writing. The notice will set forth
the reasons for denial and the procedures for an appeal of the Director of Development Services’
determination.
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L. The Director of Development Services’ determination on the issuance or denial of a Short-
Term Rental Permit in response to a renewal of a duly issued Short-Term Rental Permit may be
appealed in accordance with the appeal procedures of Section 5.68.180 of this chapter.
M. Upon issuance of a Short-Term Rental Permit in response to an application for renewal of
a duly issued Short-Term Rental Permit, the Permittee shall comply with all requirements of the
business license provisions and transient occupancy tax provisions of this code for the Short-Term
Rental Unit.
5.68.090 TRANSFERS.
A. Within fourteen (14) calendar days of a change of ownership or long-term tenancy of a
Short-Term Rental Property, the new Owner or Long-Term Tenant or their Agent shall submit to
the Director of Development Services an application for a transfer of a Short-Term Rental Permit,
if they wish to continue to operate the Short-Term Rental Unit. The application shall be
accompanied by the payment of such fee or fees as presently designated, or as may be in the future
amended, in the master fee schedule of the City. Such application shall contain all the information
set forth in Section 5.68.070 of this chapter.
B. If such a timely and complete transfer application is submitted, the Short-Term Rental
Permit duly issued, valid and in effect prior to its Expiration Date, shall be extended until the date
a determination is made by the Director of Development Services to approve or deny such
application.
C. No purchaser of the real property upon which the permitted Short-Term Rental is located
shall operate a Short-Term Rental under a previous Permittee's Short-Term Rental Permit if a
completed transfer application is not submitted within the fourteen (14) day period specified in
paragraph A of this section. Failure to timely submit the required complete application within the
fourteen (14) day period may be cause for denial.
D. Any building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire, health, police or code enforcement
matter involving a risk to public or private health or safety, including any notices of violation,
notices to cure, orders of abatement, cease and desist orders, or correction notices, may be cause
for denial of an application for a transfer of a Short-Term Rental Permit if not cured within a
reasonable period of time, not to exceed thirty (30) calendar days, after the date on a notice from
the Director of Development Services to the Owner or Long-Term Tenant to do so, unless a further
extension is granted in writing by the Director of Development Services.
E. No Person shall transfer or attempt to transfer a Short-Term Rental Permit to any other
Person, except as authorized by this section. Any attempt to transfer a Short-Term Rental Permit
in violation of this subsection shall be void and shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
Likewise, any attempt to operate a Short-Term Rental use under a Short-Term Rental Permit
transferred in violation of this subsection shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
F. No Person shall convey or attempt to convey a Short-Term Rental Permit from one
property to another property. Any attempt to convey a Short-Term Rental Permit from one property
to another property shall be void and shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
5.68.100 TERM OF PERMIT.
A. A Short-Term Rental Permit or renewal thereof issued under the authority of this chapter
shall be valid from the date of its issuance until the first to occur of the Expiration Date set forth
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on the permit or the revocation or suspension date. A Short-Term Rental Permit shall be of no
further force, validity, or effect, and use of a Dwelling for Short-Term Rental purposes shall cease,
upon the first to occur of the Expiration Date or revocation or suspension date of the Short-Term
Rental Permit. Upon the lapse of a Short-Term Rental Permit because of expiration, a failure to
renew, or because revocation has occurred, the Permittee or his/her heirs, successors or assigns
shall have no further right to undertake, maintain, facilitate, advertise for Rent, list, Rent, or use
said Dwelling and/or the property as a Short-Term Rental unless subsequently renewed or
reinstated under the terms of this chapter.
B. Prior to expiration of a Short-Term Rental Permit, the Permittee may voluntarily cancel the
permit by notifying the Director of Development Services in writing of the intent to cancel the
permit. The permit shall become void upon the earlier to occur of the date specified by the
Permittee or the expiration of the permit.
C. A Short-Term Rental Permit shall not run with the land. The permission to operate a Short-
Term Rental under this chapter shall be personal and limited to the Permittee, including a Person
who acquires a Short-Term Rental Permit by application for a transfer in accordance with Section
5.68.090 of this chapter.
5.68.110 OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.
All Short-Term Rentals are subject to the following operational requirements:
A. Compliance with Laws. All Owners, Long-Term Tenants, and Permittees shall cause their
Short-Term Rental Property and Short-Term Rental Unit(s), prior to permit issuance or renewal,
and at all times during the term of a Short-Term Rental Permit, to be in compliance with all
applicable codes regarding fire, building and safety, health and safety, and all other relevant laws,
regulations, and ordinances applicable to residential uses and the underlying zone and obtain all
permits required and pay all applicable fees.
B. Limit on Days Per Year. The Whole-Home Short-Term Rental of a Primary Residence
shall be limited to a maximum of ninety (90) days per calendar year. For purposes of interpreting
this section, exclusion of minor common spaces shall not be considered in determining Whole-
Home Short-Term Rental status. There shall be no limit on the number of days per calendar year
that a Primary Residence Partial-Home Short-Term Rental, a Non-Primary Residence Partial-
Home Short-Term Rental, or a Non-Primary Residence Whole-Home Short-Term Rental may
operate.
C. Minimum Stay. A two (2) consecutive night minimum stay by the same Responsible
Person is required for Non-Primary Residence Whole-Home Short-Term Rentals. No minimum
stay shall be required for Primary Residence Whole-Home Short-Term Rentals or Partial-Home
Short-Term Rentals (Primary Residence or Non-Primary Residence).
D. Insurance. The Permittee shall maintain and provide proof to City of liability insurance
appropriate to cover the Short-Term Rental use in the aggregate of not less than one million dollars
($1,000,000); or conduct each Short-Term Rental transaction through a Hosting Platform that
provides equal or greater insurance coverage.
E. Update Changed Information. At any time during the pendency of a Short-Term Rental
Permit application or renewal, if a change occurs in any facts set forth in the application or renewal
request, the Permittee shall notify the City of such change immediately, but no later than withi n
fourteen (14) calendar days after the occurrence of such change.
F. Safety Requirements. Each Dwelling must satisfy the following requirements to the
satisfaction of the City:
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1. The property address shall be visible from the street and in contrasting colors for
quick identification by emergency responders, day or night.
2. Smoke alarms shall be installed in all habitable areas except the kitchen in
accordance with the Chula Vista Building Code. The Permittee shall be responsible for
testing and maintaining the smoke alarms.
3. At least one 2A: 10BC-rated portable fire extinguisher (State Fire Marshal
approved design) shall be installed in plain sight and within easy reach on each floor of the
Dwelling. The Permittee shall be responsible for replacement or recharge after each use.
The fire extinguisher shall be fully charged at all times.
4. One or more carbon monoxide devices meeting the standards of Section 13262 of
the California Health and Safety Code shall be installed in common stairways and
hallways. The Permittee shall be responsible for testing and maintaining the carbon
monoxide devices.
5. Exterior gates leading to and from the front, side and/or back yards shall not be
padlocked.
6. Hallway doors and exit doors shall not be obstructed or otherwise prohibited from
fully opening.
7. No double-keyed dead bolt locks may be installed on exit doors.
8. Dwellings with swimming pools, as defined in Chapter 2 of the California Building
Code, shall employ gates and other safety devices that conform to the specifications and
requirements of the California Building Code.
G. Local Contact Person Available. While a Short-Term Rental Unit is rented, the Permittee,
the Permittee's Agent and/or a Local Contact Person shall be available by telephone twenty-four
(24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week to respond to complaints from the renter and/or public
regarding the use, condition, operation or conduct of occupants of a Short-Term Rental Unit. The
Permittee, the Permittee's Agent, and/or a Local Contact Person must be on the premises of th e
Short-Term Rental at the request of an Enforcement Officer or the City's Police Department within
one (1) hour of contact to satisfactorily correct or take remedial action necessary to resolve any
complaint, alleged nuisance, or violation of this chapter by occupants occurring at the Short-Term
Rental Property. In order to facilitate communication, the Permittee shall provide contact
information for themselves, the Local Contact and/or Permittee’s Agent to the City and the
Responsible Person. Failure of the Permittee, the Permittee's Agent, and/or a Local Contact Person
to respond to calls or complaints in a timely and appropriate manner shall be grounds for
imposition of penalties as set forth in this chapter.
H. Good Neighbor Handout. Each Short-Term Rental shall post a Good Neighbor Handout
inside the permitted premises in close proximity to an entry point that includes emergency contact
information for the Permittee and the Local Contact Person (if different). The Good Neighbor
Handout shall also provide information about parking restrictions, restrictions on noise and
amplified sound, trash collection schedule, relevant water restrictions, fire evacuation routes, and
any other information, as required by the Director of Development Services, applicable to the
Short-Term Rental and the surrounding neighborhood.
I. Good Neighbor Letter. Within ten (10) calendar days following (i) the issuance of a Short-
Term Rental Permit, (ii) the issuance of a renewal permit, and/or (iii) the approval of a transfer
application, the Permittee shall mail or personally deliver in writing a Good Neighbor Letter, in a
form authorized by the Director of Development Services to the owners and occupants of
properties located on all sides of and directly across the street (or alley or other right-of-way) from
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the Short-Term Rental Property. Thereafter, within thirty (30) days of occurrence of any of the
events described in (i), (ii) or (iii), the Permittee shall sign under penalty of perjury, and submit to
the Director of Development Services, a certification that the required mailing or delivery was
completed. If at any time during the term of a Short-Term Rental Permit, the Good Neighbor Letter
information for the Permittee or Local Contact Person changes, the Permittee shall promptly mail
or personally deliver in writing an updated Good Neighbor Letter to the owners and occupants of
properties located on all sides of and directly across the street (or alley or other right-of-way) from
the Short-Term Rental Property to maintain accuracy and shall also promptly submit to the
Director of Development Services a signed under penalty of perjury certification that the required
mailing or delivery of the updated information was completed.
J. Off-Street Parking. All Short-Term Rental Property off-street parking shall conform to
the provisions of Chapter 19.62 (Off-Street Parking and Loading) of this code; provided, however,
that off-street parking spaces may be in tandem to other off-street parking spaces, or in some other
on-site location and/or configuration, subject to the approval of the Director of Development
Services in their sole and absolute discretion. The Permittee shall provide access to the garage of
the Dwelling if that area has been included in the determination of the number of available off-
street parking spaces pursuant to this chapter. In no event shall off-street parking include the use
of landscaped areas, any private or public sidewalk, parkway, walkway, or alley (or any portion
thereof) located on, at or adjacent to the Short-Term Rental Property or block the driveway or
street in front of said property. The term "sidewalk" shall include the portion of the public right -
of-way that is delineated for pedestrian travel including where it crosses a driveway.
K. On-Street Parking. The maximum number of on-street parking spaces that may be used
by a Short-Term Rental Property shall be limited to one (1). For those streets of the City governed
by permit parking districts, the Permittee of a Short-Term Rental Property may purchase one (1)
parking permit or placard from the City that can be used by guests and must be visibly displayed
inside the vehicle of the Short-Term Rental Occupant, allowing no more than one (1) Occupant
vehicle to park on a public street in that particular permit district.
L. No Recreational Vehicles. During periods that the Short-Term Rental Property is being
used as a Short-Term Rental by Occupants, no recreational vehicle or other vehicle used or
designed for use as lodging or sleeping accommodations, bus, boat, trailer, camper, cargo
container, or personal water craft may be parked at or on the Short-Term Rental Property or on the
street, unless it belongs to the Permittee, the Permittee is also physically occupying the Short-Term
Rental Property during that period, the vehicle is not being used by Short-Term Rental Occupants,
and in the case of an RV, a valid RV parking permit has been secured for the vehicle.
M. Maximum Occupancies. The maximum number of Persons who may occupy the Short-
Term Rental at any given time shall be limited to two (2) individual persons per Bedroom, plus
two (2) additional individual persons. In no event may the maximum occupancy exceed ten (10)
persons in any Short-Term Rental. For purposes of this section, Persons under the age of twelve
(12) shall not count toward the occupancy limitation. If the Short-Term Rental Permit limits
occupancy to a number less than that calculated pursuant to this section, the limit in the permit
shall govern.
N. No Large Events. At no time shall a Short-Term Rental Unit or Short-Term Rental
Property be used for large-scale events exceeding the maximum allowed occupancy pursuant to
this section, unless a Short-Term Rental Event Permit has been issued for such event pursuant to
this chapter and only in accordance with the terms for such Permit.
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O. Advertising. All advertising appearing in any written publication or on any website that
promotes the availability or existence of a Short-Term Rental shall include the City-issued Short-
Term Rental Permit number as part of the rental offering.
P. Signage. Short-Term Rental Properties shall comply with all signage restrictions and
requirements applicable to the zone they are located in.
Q. Display of Business License. The business license or copy thereof shall be prominently
displayed in a visible interior location at the Short-Term Rental Property during any periods of
occupancy thereof by any Person other than the Owner(s) or Long-Term Tenant(s) of the Dwelling.
R. Duty to Minimize Noise, Disturbance, and Disorderly Conduct. The Permittee, the
Permittee's Agent and the Local Contact Person shall use reasonably prudent business practices to
ensure that the Occupants of a Short-Term Rental Unit do not create unreasonable noise or
disturbances, engage in disorderly conduct, or violate any applicable law, rule or regulation
pertaining to the use and occupancy of the subject Short-Term Rental Unit, including, without
limitation, violation of Section 17.24.040 or Chapter 19.68 of this code.
S. Quiet Time From 10:00pm to 9:00am. The hours between 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. are
considered to be "quiet time," so that no outdoor activity will disturb the peace and quiet of the
neighborhood adjacent to a Short-Term Rental Property or cause discomfort or annoyance to any
reasonable person of normal sensitivity residing in the area. It shall constitute a major violation if
any Occupants engage in outdoor activities on a Short-Term Rental Property between the hours of
10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. that involve the use of fire pits, barbecues, swimming pools, hot tubs,
spas, tennis or paddleboard courts, or other similar and related improvements or play equipment,
or if any Occupants engage in outdoor parties, outdoor singing, shouting, clapping or other
activities generally associated with partying or if Occupants engage in any outdoor drunk or
disorderly conduct during those hours. Any other outdoor conduct between the hours between
10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. that disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood adjacent to a Short-
Term Rental Property or causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal
sensitivity residing in the area, shall constitute a minor violation. It is not a violation for an
Occupant to merely be out of doors during quiet time hours, so long as there is no conduct that
disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood adjacent to a Short-Term Rental Property or
causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitivity residing in the area.
The Permittee shall post signs of a size, type and at a location (or location s) acceptable to the
Director of Development Services near all doors leading to the exterior of a Short-Term Rental
Unit, advising Occupants of "quiet time."
T. Trash and Debris. Trash and refuse shall not be left stored within public view, except in
proper containers for the purpose of collection by the responsible trash hauler and between the
hours of 5:00 p.m. the day before and 12:00 midnight the day of the scheduled trash collection.
The Permittee of a Short-Term Rental Property shall provide sufficient trash collection containers
and service to meet the demand of the Occupants. The Short-Term Rental Property shall be free
of debris both on-site and in the adjacent portion of the street.
U. Written Contract Requirements. Prior to occupancy pursuant to each separate occasion
of rental of a Short-Term Rental Unit, the Permittee or the Permittee's Agent shall enter into a
written rental agreement with a Responsible Person for each separate rental occasion. The
Responsible Person (i) shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age; (ii) shall be an Occupant of
the subject Short-Term Rental Unit during the term of said agreement; (iii) shall be legally
responsible for ensuring that all Occupants of the Short-Term Rental Unit comply with all
applicable laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the use and occupancy of the subject Short-
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Term Rental Unit; and (iv) may be held liable for any violation of all applicable laws, rules and
regulations set forth in this chapter. The written rental agreement shall establish and set out the
terms and conditions of the rental and require the Responsible Person to (1) provide his or her
name, age, address, driver's license number or passport number; (2) provide the vehicle license
number(s) for any cars to be parked on-street ; (3) agree to be accessible to the Permittee, the
Permittee's Agent and the Local Contact Person (if any) by telephone at all times; (4) acknowledge
his or her understanding of all City of Chula Vista Short-Term Rental rules; and (5) agree that they
are liable for any fines incurred by Occupants and legally responsible for compliance by all
Occupants of the Short-Term Rental Unit with all provisions of this chapter and this code. Said
written rental agreement shall also include the following terms, notifications, and disclosures:
1. The maximum number of Occupants that are permitted and notification that failure
to conform to the maximum occupancy is a violation of this chapter.
2. The number of off-street parking spaces provided on the Short-Term Rental
Property and the maximum number of vehicles that are permitted, along with the number
of available permits for parking on the public street (if any), with the requirement to visibly
display such permits in the vehicles, and a summary of all applicable parking rules.
3. The trash pick-up day(s) and applicable rules and regulations pertaining to leaving
or storing trash on the exterior of the Short-Term Rental Property.
4. Notification that Occupants may be cited or fined by the City and/or that the
Permittee or the Permittee's Agent has the right to immediately terminate the rental
agreement and immediately evict the Responsible Person and all Occupants upon any
violation of this chapter or the code by any Occupant.
5. The name of the Permittee's Agent and the name of the Local Contact Person (if
any) and a telephone number at which those Persons may be reached at all times and 9 -1-
1 Emergency information.
6. A clear and conspicuous statement that Occupants must obey the requirements set
forth in this chapter even if these requirements are stricter than the applicable covenants,
conditions and restrictions or other rules or regulations of the governing body of any
homeowners' association or maintenance organization having jurisdiction over the Short-
Term Rental Property.
7. A summary of any applicable covenants, conditions and restrictions and rules and
regulations, including pool location and hours, of the governing body of any homeowners'
or maintenance association having jurisdiction over the Short-Term Rental Property.
8. A copy of this chapter of the code, as the same may be amended from time to time.
9. A copy of the rental agreement shall be given to each Occupant and shall be readily
available for review upon inspections conducted by any Enforcement Officer or the City's
Police Department pursuant to this chapter
V. Garages. Unless the garage of the Dwelling has been included in the calculation of the
number of available off-street parking spaces pursuant to this chapter, a garage may be used by
the Permittee and Occupants of a Short-Term Rental as a game room in accordance with the City's
requirements therefor; provided, however, that (a) no couches or other furniture designed for use
as, or conducive to, sleeping accommodations shall be located inside a garage; (b) no independent
living accommodations and facilities (including provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking
and sanitation) shall be located inside a garage; (c) the garage door must be kept closed and the
Director of Development Services may require soundproofing of the garage as a condition of
permit issuance on the basis of substantiated complaints of noise emanating from the garage; (d) a
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garage may not be used at any time for sleeping purposes; and (e) a garage may not be permanently
modified to preclude its future use for the parking of vehicles.
W. Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. It is the responsibility of the Permittee and not
the City to investigate, verify with the relevant homeowners' association or maintenance
organization, and determine that the use of a Dwelling as a Short-Term Rental does not violate any
applicable covenants, conditions, and restrictions or any of the regulations or rules of the
homeowners' association or maintenance organization having jurisdiction in connection with the
Short-Term Rental Property. Notwithstanding the City's issuance of a Short-Term Rental Permit,
the City shall not have any obligation or be responsible for making a determination regarding
whether or not the issuance of a Short-Term Rental Permit or the use of a Dwelling as a Short-
Term Rental is permitted under any covenants, conditions and restrictions or any of the regulations
or rules of the homeowners' association or maintenance organization having jurisdiction in
connection with the Short-Term Rental Property, and the City shall have no enforcement
obligations in connection with such covenants, conditions and restrictions or such regulations or
rules.
X. Transient Occupancy Tax. All Short-Term Rentals shall be subject to the City's transient
occupancy tax, as required by Chapter 3.40 (Transient Occupancy Tax) of this code.
Y. Receipts to be Maintained. The Permittee shall maintain the amount of gross receipts,
including but not limited to Rent and transient occupancy tax paid for each stay in a format required
by the City.
Z. City Inspections. Consistent with applicable law, the City shall have the authority to
conduct random inspections of Short-Term Rental properties and Short-Term Rental Units as the
Director of Development Services deems necessary or prudent to ensure compliance with the
provisions of this chapter, including without limitation, based upon any complaints or violations
that occur or prior to a renewal of a permit.
AA. Additional Conditions. The Director of Development Services shall have the authority at
any time to impose additional conditions on the use of any Short-Term Rental Unit and/or property
to ensure that any potential secondary effects unique to the subject Short-Term Rental Unit or
property are avoided or adequately mitigated.
BB. Hardships. The Director of Development Services is authorized to modify the standard
conditions upon request of an Applicant, Permittee, or their Agent, based on site-specific
circumstances for the purpose of allowing accommodation of a Short-Term Rental Unit. All
requests must be in writing and shall identify how the strict application of one or more of the
standard conditions create an actual and unreasonable hardship to a property such that, if the
requirement is not modified, reasonable use of the property for a Short-Term Rental would not be
allowed. Any hardships identified must relate to physical constraints to the Short-Term Rental
Property and shall not be self-induced or economic. Any modifications of the standard conditions
shall not further exacerbate an already existing problem. An Applicant or Permittee may be
required to provide such other supplemental information as may be requested by the Director of
Development Services. The Director of Development Services shall only allow modifications
which are consistent with the purpose and intent of this chapter.
5.68.120 SHORT-TERM RENTAL EVENT PERMIT.
A. At no time shall a Short-Term Rental Unit or Short-Term Rental Property be used for large-
scale events exceeding the maximum allowed occupancy pursuant to Section 5.68.110 in exchange
for Rent unless a Short-Term Rental Event Permit has been issued. For purposes of this section
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“large scale events” shall include without limitation commercial parties, weddings, fundraisers,
conferences, or other similar assemblies that are separate from the purpose of lodging.
B. The maximum number of Short-Term Rental Event Permits that can be issued per Short-
Term Rental Permit unit each term shall be limited to twelve (12). Any application for a Short -
Term Rental Event Permit thereafter and within the same permit term shall automatically be
deemed null and void by the City.
C. Each Short-Term Rental Event Permit shall have a maximum term of twelve (12) hours.
D. A duly issued, valid and in effect, Short-Term Rental Permit shall be required in order to
apply for a Short-Term Rental Event Permit.
E. Short-Term Rental Event Permits may be issued in the following residential zones: R -E –
Residential Estates Zone; R-1 – Single-Family Residence Zone; R-2 – One- and Two- Family
Residence Zone; MHP – Exclusive Mobilehome Park Zone; R-3 - Apartment Residential Zone;
and equivalent residential zones in specific plans or sectional planning area plans that allow
residential uses.
F. The application for a Short-Term Rental Event Permit shall be upon a form provided by
the Director of Development Services and accompanied by payment of a Short-Term Rental Event
Permit fee set by resolution of the City Council as presently designated, or as may be in the future
amended, in the master fee schedule of the City.
G. The issuance of a Short-Term Rental Event Permit shall not be construed to authorize the
conduct or continuance of any illegal Short-Term Rental or of a legal Short-Term Rental in an
illegal manner. All Owners, Long-Term Tenants, and Permittees shall cause their Short-Term
Rental Property and Short-Term Rental Units, prior to permit issuance and at all times during the
term of a Short-Term Rental Event Permit, to be in compliance with all applicable codes regarding
fire, building and safety, health and safety, and all other relevant laws, regulations, and ordinances
applicable to residential uses and the underlying zone and obtain all permits required and pay all
applicable fees.
5.68.130 LIMITATIONS ON CITY’S LIABILITY.
To the maximum extent allowed by law, the City shall not incur or assume any direct or indirect
liability as a result of having issued a Short-Term Rental Permit or Short-Term Rental Event Permit
pursuant to this chapter. As a condition of permit issuance, the Applicant shall provide written
acknowledgement and agreement that, in the event a permit is approved and issued, it agrees to
assume all risk and defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City concerning the City's approval
and issuance of the permit, the operation and maintenance of the Short-Term Rental Unit and
Short-Term Rental Property, and any other matter relating to the Short-Term Rental Unit and
Short-Term Rental Property, including without limitation any claim or demand made by the
governing body of a homeowners' or maintenance association having jurisdiction over the subject
Dwelling in any action or proceeding in which the City is named or made a party arising out of or
connected with the subject matter of any applicable covenants, conditions and restrictions and/or
rules and regulations, except that the Applicant shall not be required to indemnify, defend or hold
harmless the City for the City's sole negligence or intentional misconduct. If the Applicant is a
Long-Term Tenant where such tenant is offering a Dwelling, or any portion thereof, as a Short -
Term Rental, the Owner of the Dwelling that is the subject of the Short-Term Rental Permit shall
provide the same written acknowledgement and agreement.
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5.68.140 AUDIT INSPECTION.
Each Permittee, Agent, or representative of any Owner (i) shall provide to the Director of
Development Services such records relating to the use and occupancy of the Short-Term Rental
Unit, and (ii) shall cooperate in the conduct of inspections of the Short-Term Rental Unit, as may
be reasonably requested by the Director of Development Services, to determine that the objectives
and conditions of this chapter are met.
5.68.150 RESPONSIBILITIES OF HOSTING PLATFORMS.
A. Take Down Notice. Upon written or electronic notification from the City that the City has
not issued a permit for a Short-Term Rental which is listed or advertised on the Internet web site
provided or maintained by a Hosting Platform, the Hosting Platform shall discontinue and remove
the listing or advertisement within ten (10) calendar days from the transmittal date of the
notification. The Hosting Platform thereafter shall not list or advertise the Short-Term Rental
without written certification from the City that the required permit has been issued.
B. Information to be Provided to Responsible Person. A Hosting Platform operating in the
City shall provide the following information to any Person listing a Dwelling Unit through the
Hosting Platform’s service:
1. Notice of the requirements listed in this chapter, including the requirement to obtain
a license prior to any listing;
2. Notice of the transient occupancy tax requirements (Chapter 3.40 of this code).
Upon request by the City, a Hosting Platform shall provide documentation to the City
demonstrating that the Hosting Platform provided the required notification. Hosting Platform’s
failure to provide written notification shall not excuse any Person from complying with any local
regulations.
C. TOT Collection Responsibilities. The Hosting Platform shall collect all required transient
occupancy taxes (Chapter 3.40 of this code) on accommodation transactions facilitated by the
Hosting Platform and shall remit the taxes on a monthly basis to the City with the completion of a
form approved by the City. A Hosting Platform collecting and remitting transient occupancy taxes
under this section shall issue a receipt to each Responsible Person. The Hosting Platform shall
separately state on the receipt the amount of the transient occupancy tax charged and maintain a
duplicate of such receipt. A Hosting Platform shall maintain all documentation necessary to
demonstrate that the proper amount of taxes have been remitted to the City for a period of four (4)
years after the date of remittance.
D. Information to be Collected and Provided to City. Subject to applicable law, a Hosting
Platform with listings located in the City shall provide to the City on a monthly basis, in a format
specified by the City, the Short-Term Rental Permit number of each listing, the name of the Person
responsible for each listing, the address of each such listing, and, for each booking that occurs
within the reporting period, the number of days booked, whether the booking was for a Whole-
Home Short-Term Rental or a Partial-Home Short-Term Rental, and the total price paid for each
rental.
A Hosting Platform shall maintain, to the extent received from the Person responsible for the
listing, the following information for each Dwelling Unit in the City for which the Hosting
Platform provided a booking service for a period of four (4) years from the date of the transaction:
1. The first and last name of the Person who offered the Short-Term Rental;
2. The exact street address of the Dwelling Unit, including any unit numbers;
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3. The dates for which a Responsible Person procured occupancy of the Dwelling Unit
using the booking service provided by the Hosting Platform, and the total number of room
nights by reporting period by owner;
4. The amount of gross receipts, including but not limited to Rent and transient
occupancy tax, paid for each stay in a format required by the City; and
5. The City Short-Term Rental Permit number and the City Transient Occupancy Tax
Certificate number associated with the Short-Term Rental.
A Hosting Platform shall deliver information set forth in this section to the City upon request. The
City may apply auditing procedures necessary to determine the amount of taxes due to the City
and to ensure compliance with this chapter.
E. Conformance to Law. The provisions of this section shall be interpreted in accordance
with otherwise applicable state and federal law(s) and will not apply if determined by the City to
be in violation of any such law(s).
5.68.160 VIOLATIONS/PENALTIES.
A. It shall be unlawful for any Person to violate any provision or fail to comply with the
requirements of this chapter or any regulation adopted hereunder. Each day that a violation
continues is deemed to be a new and separate offense.
B. Any Person violating any of the provisions or failing to comply with any of the
requirements of this chapter or any regulation adopted hereunder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a period of not more than six
months, or by both a fine and imprisonment. No proof of knowledge, intent, or other mental state
is required to establish a violation. At the sole discretion of the City Prosecutor, any violation of
this chapter may in the alternative be cited and prosecuted as an infraction.
C. Any condition caused or allowed to exist in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter
or any regulation adopted hereunder is a public nuisance. Such violation may be abated by the
City, or by the City Attorney on behalf the people of the state of California, as a nuisance in any
manner provided for in this code, including summary abatement, or otherwise provided by law or
equity, including a restraining order, injunction, or any other order or judgment in law or equity
issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. The City, or the City Attorney on behalf of the people
of the state of California, may seek injunctive relief to enjoin violations of, or to compel
compliance with, this chapter or seek any other relief or remedy available at law or equity,
including the imposition of monetary civil penalties. All expenses incurred by the City in
connection with any action to abate a public nuisance will be chargeable as authorized by law to
the Persons creating, causing, committing, or maintaining the public nuisance.
D. An Enforcement Officer may issue administrative citations or civil penalties in accordance
with chapter 1.41 for violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or any regulation adopted
hereunder. When a violation occurs, it is not required that a warning or notice to cure must first be
given before an administrative citation or civil penalty may be issued. Any report where the City's
Police Department has concluded that a violation of this chapter has occurred may be submitted to
the Director of Development Services for review, processing and issuance of an administrative
citation or civil penalty by an Enforcement Officer.
E. Each criminal citation, administrative citation, and civil penalty issued for a violation of
any provision of his chapter may be issued, levied, or assessed against one or more of: the Owner,
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the Permittee, the Permittee’s Agent, a Hosting Platform, the Responsible Party, the Occupant,
and any other Person who caused, created, committed, or maintained the violation.
F. A violation of any provision of this chapter by any Permittee, Permittee's Agent, Local
Contact Person, Responsible Person or Occupant of a Short-Term Rental shall constitute grounds
for modification of the Short-Term Rental Permit.
G. The Director of Development Services may suspend or revoke a Short-Term Rental Permit
if any three (3) major violations are issued in connection with the same Short-Term Rental Property
within a continuous period of twelve (12) months, including major violations that result from
aggregating minor violations into a major violation as described in section 5.68.160(I)(1)(h) below.
A change of ownership shall have no effect on the accumulation of violations against the Short-
Term Rental Property.
H. When a violation occurs, it is not required that a warning or notice to cure must first be
given in order to impose the sanction of modification, suspension, or revocation of the Short-Term
Rental Permit.
I. For purposes of this section,
1. A "major violation" consists of any of the following:
a. Operating a Short-Term Rental without a securing a Short-Term Rental
Permit pursuant to this chapter;
b. Exceeding Short-Term Rental Unit occupancy limitations without securing
a Short-Term Rental Event Permit pursuant to this chapter;
c. Any Occupants engaging in outdoor activities on a Short-Term Rental
Property between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. that involve the use of fire
pits, barbecues, swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, tennis or paddleboard courts, or
other similar and related improvements or play equipment, or if any Occupants
engage in outdoor parties, outdoor singing, shouting, clapping or other activities
generally associated with partying or if Occupants engage in any outdoor drunk or
disorderly conduct during those hours;
d. The Permittee, the Permittee's Agent and/or the Local Contact Person,
failing to respond to an Enforcement Officer's request, respond within one (1) hour,
or to reasonably cooperate in facilitating an investigation and the correction of a
suspected violation of this chapter;
e. The unpermitted use of a garage as a game room or for sleeping purposes at
a Short-Term Rental Unit or on a Short-Term Rental Property;
f. Criminal activities by the Permittee, Permittee’s Agent, the Local Contact
Person, or any Occupant on the premises; however, a minor violation shall not be
deemed a criminal activity for purposes of constituting a major violation merely
because any violation of this chapter may constitute a misdemeanor or a public
nuisance;
g. Any other violation of this chapter determined by the City Manager to
constitute a serious threat to the public health or safety of the community; or
h. Four (4) minor violations of any type in connection with the same Short -
Term Rental Unit or Short-Term Rental Property during any continuous period of
twelve (12) months.
2. A "minor violation" consists of any of the following:
a. A failure of the Permittee to obtain the signature of the Responsible Person
acknowledging the rules;
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b. A failure to pay the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) required for the Short-
Term Rental; or
c. Any violation of any law, ordinance, resolution, or permit condition
regulating Short-Term Rental Units or Short-Term Rental Properties or any other
provisions of federal, state, or local law that does not constitute a "major violation"
as set forth above.
J. The City may issue an administrative citation or civil penalty for any violation of this
chapter as follows:
1. First offense — not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00) for a minor offense
and one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for a major offense;
2. Second offense within any continuous period of twelve (12) consecutive months —
not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) if the offense is a minor offense and two
thousand dollars ($2,000.00) if the offense is a major offense;
3. Third and fourth offenses within any continuous period of twelve (12) consecutive
months — not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) if the offense is a minor offense
and four thousand dollars ($4,000.00) if the offense is a major offense.
4. Fifth and subsequent offenses within any continuous period of twelve (12)
consecutive months — not to exceed one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) if the
offense is a minor offense and not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) if the offense
is a major offense.
K. Unless prohibited by any state or federal law, the City may issue a Hosting Platform an
administrative citation or civil penalty for any violation of this chapter or the code by the Hosting
Platform as follows:
1. First offense — not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00);
2. Second offense within any continuous period of twelve (12) consecutive months —
not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00);
3. Third and subsequent offenses within any continuous period of twelve (12)
consecutive months — not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000.00).
L. Whenever in this chapter any act or omission is made unlawful, it shall include cau sing,
aiding, abetting, suffering, or concealing the fact of such act or omission.
M. The remedies specified in this section are cumulative and in addition to any other remedies
available under state or local law for violation of this code.
N. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the City to allow, permit, license,
authorize or otherwise regulate Short Term Rental or Event activity, or as abridging the City’s
police power with respect to enforcement regarding Short Term Rental or Event activit y.
5.68.170 PROCEDURE FOR IMPOSITION OF MODIFICATION, SUSPENSION
AND/OR REVOCATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMIT.
A. In addition to any other penalty authorized by law, a Short-Term Rental Permit may be
modified, suspended, or revoked for any violation of this chapter or federal, state, or local law in
accordance with the provisions of this section.
B. The Director of Development Services shall have the authority to modify a Short -Term
Rental Permit to impose additional conditions or amend existing terms or condit ions in the event
of any violation of any condition of the permit or any violation of this chapter or federal, state, or
local law.
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C. Any modification of conditions or suspension or revocation of a Short-Term Rental Permit
shall be in accordance with the following procedures.
1. The Director of Development Services shall conduct an investigation whenever
they have reason to believe that an Owner, Permittee, Permittee’s Agent, or Local Contact
Person is in violation of, or has failed to comply with, any condition of the Short-Term
Rental Permit, any requirements of this chapter or federal, state, or local law.
2. Should the investigation reveal substantial evidence to support a finding that a
violation occurred, the Director of Development Services shall issue a wri tten notice of
intention to modify, suspend and/or revoke the permit. The written notice shall be served
on the responsible Person, shall specify the facts which, in the opinion of the Director of
Development Services, constitute substantial evidence to establish grounds for
modification, suspension and/or revocation, and state that the permit will be modified,
suspended or revoked within thirty (30) calendar days from the date the notice is given
unless the Owner or Person aggrieved by the Director of Development Services' decision
files with the City Clerk, before the modification, suspension or revocation becomes
effective, a request for an administrative hearing to appeal the decision pursuant to Section
5.68.180.
5.68.180 APPEAL PROCEDURES.
A. Any affected Person may appeal a decision of the Development Services Director
modifying, denying, suspending, or revoking a Short-Term Rental Permit to the City Manager
within thirty (30) calendar days from the date the notice is given. Said appeal shall be in writ ing
and filed with the City Clerk upon forms provided by the Development Services Department and
shall specify therein that the decision of the Development Services Director was in error and
identify the facts and circumstances on which the claim of error is based. If an appeal is filed within
the time limit specified, it shall automatically stay proceedings in the matter until a determination
is made by the City Manager. The City Manager shall set the matter for hearing before a hearing
examiner and notify the parties in writing of the date and location of the hearing at least ten (10)
business days prior to said date.
B. The fee to request an appeal pursuant to this chapter shall be in the form of a deposit, the
amount to be determined by the City Manager in accordance with any applicable law based on the
anticipated staff cost to conduct the hearing. If the cost of the hearing or appeal exceeds the
deposited amount, the requesting party shall be responsible for payment of the additional costs
incurred. If the hearing officer determines that the violation is not supported by the evidence, the
entire deposited amount will be returned to the party that requested the appeal. The appeal hearing
shall be conducted pursuant to Sections 1.30.090 and 1.30.100 of this code.
5.68.190 EFFECT OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS ORDINANCE ON OTHER
PROVISIONS OF CODE.
The issuance of any Short-Term Rental Permit pursuant to this chapter shall not relieve the Owner
of the obligation to comply with all other provisions of this code pertaining to the use and
occupancy of the Short-Term Rental or the Short-Term Rental Property on which it is located.
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5.68.200 PROMULGATION OF REGULATIONS, STANDARDS, AND OTHER
LEGAL DUTIES.
A. In addition to any regulations adopted by the City Council, the City Manager is authorized
to establish, consistent with the terms of this chapter, any additional administrative rules,
regulations and standards governing the issuance, denial or renewal of Short-Term Rental Permits
or Short-Term Rental Event Permits and any other subject determined to be necessary to carry out
the purposes of this chapter.
B. Regulations shall be published on the City’s website and maintained and available to the
public in the Office of the City Clerk.
C. Regulations promulgated by the City Council or the City Manager shall become effective
and enforceable upon date of publication on the City’s website or, with respect to existing Short-
Term Rental Permits, upon the date specified in a written notice to Permittees by the City.
5.68.210 NO VESTED RIGHTS.
Except in instances where constitutional principles or binding state or federal law otherwise
provide, neither the provisions of the code nor any ordinances or other measures concerning Short-
Term Rentals are a grant of vested rights to continue as a Short-Term Rental indefinitely, and any
Short-Term Rental use and/or permits for a Short-Term Rental use are subject to provisions of
other ordinances, resolutions, or other City measures concerning Short-Term Rentals that may be
enacted or adopted, though such ordinances, resolutions, or other City measures may change the
terms, conditions and/or duration for a Short-Term Rental use, including but not limited to those
that may terminate some or all Short-Term Rental uses, with or without some period of
amortization. While this recitation concerning vested rights is implicit in any uses p ermitted by
the City, this explicit recitation is set forth to avoid any uncertainty or confusion.
5.68.220 EFFECTIVE DATE.
This chapter shall take effect and be in force on February 1, 2022, with the exception of Sections
5.68.040 (Permit Required), 5.68.080 (Renewals), 5.68.120 (Short-Term Rental Event Permit),
and 5.68.150 (Responsibilities of Hosting Platforms). Sections 5.68.040, 5.68.080, 5.68.120, and
5.68.150 shall take effect and be in force as of July 1, 2022. Violations of the effective sections of
this chapter prior to July 1, 2022 may be cause for denial of a Short -Term Rental Permit
application.
Section II. Severability
If any portion of this Ordinance, or its application to any person or circumstance, is for any
reason held to be invalid, unenforceable or unconstitutional, by a court of competent jurisdiction,
that portion shall be deemed severable, and such invalidity, unenforceability or unconstitutionality
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining portions of the Ordinance, or its
application to any other person or circumstance. The City Council of the City of Chula Vista
hereby declares that it would have adopted each section, sentence, clause or phrase of this
Ordinance, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, sentences, clauses or
phrases of the Ordinance be declared invalid, unenforceable or unconstitutional.
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Section III. Construction
The City Council of the City of Chula Vista intends this Ordinance to supplement, not to
duplicate or contradict, applicable state and federal law and this Ordinance shall be construed in
light of that intent.
Section IV. Effective Date
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force on the thirtieth day after its final passage.
Section V. Publication
The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause
the same to be published or posted according to law.
Section VI. Program Review
A formal review of the Short-Term Rental permitting program shall be conducted and
presented to the City Council no later than December 31, 2022.
[SIGNATURES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]
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Presented by Approved as to form by
Tiffany Allen Glen R. Googins
Director of Development Services City Attorney
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista,
California, this 14th day of December 2021, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers: Cardenas, Padilla, and Casillas Salas
NAYS: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers: Galvez and McCann
Mary Casillas Salas, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kerry K. Bigelow, MMC, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO )
CITY OF CHULA VISTA )
I, Kerry K. Bigelow, City Clerk of Chula Vista, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing
Ordinance No. 3514 had its first reading at a regular meeting held on the 7th day of December
2021, and its second reading and adoption at a regular meeting of said City Council held on the
14th day of December 2021; and was duly published in summary form in accordance with the
requirements of state law and the City Charter.
Dated Kerry K. Bigelow, MMC, City Clerk
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12/16/2021
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES
Ordinance No. 2021-3514
Chula Vista Municipal Code Chapter 5.68
Development Services Department
Issued June 15, 2022
Amended August 1, 2022
CONTENTS
1. Scope & Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 1
2. Short-Term Rental Permit Application ............................................................................................. 2
3. Eligibility ........................................................................................................................................... 6
4. Term and Renewal ........................................................................................................................... 7
5. STR Categories (Whole-Home, Partial-Home, Primary Residence, and Non-Primary Residence) .. 9
6. Operating Rules & Requirements: General ................................................................................... 11
7. Operating Rules & Requirements: Good Neighbor Rules .............................................................. 14
8. Operating Rules & Requirements: Guest Safety Requirements .................................................... 16
9. Operating Rules & Requirements: Written Rental Agreement ..................................................... 17
10. Transfers ........................................................................................................................................ 18
11. Short-Term Rental Event Permits .................................................................................................. 19
12. Hosting Platform Responsibilities .................................................................................................. 20
13. Violations: Major ............................................................................................................................ 22
14. Violations: Minor ........................................................................................................................... 23
15. Penalties: General .......................................................................................................................... 24
16. Penalties: Amounts ........................................................................................................................ 26
17. Permit Modifications, Suspensions, and Revocations ................................................................... 27
18. Appeal Procedures ......................................................................................................................... 28
19. Resources ....................................................................................................................................... 29
For additional information please contact:
Development Services Department
276 Fourth Avenue, Building B
Chula Vista, CA 91914
(619) 476-2332
www.chulavistaca.gov/str
complaints@chulavistaca.gov
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City of Chula Vista | Development Services Department Page 1 of 29
1. Scope & Purpose
These administrative guidelines (“Guidelines”) are promulgated by the Development Services Department
(“Department”) for the purposes of implementing the Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2021-
3514) (“Ordinance”) pursuant to Chula Vista Municipal Code (“CVMC”) Section 5.68.200(A).
These Guidelines reflect the City’s application of the Ordinance and provide detail on how property
owners, Permittees, and Hosting Platforms can comply with the Ordinance to ensure that all Short-Term
Rental Units (“STR Units”) are lawfully registered, permitted, and operated as Short-Term Rentals
(“STRs”). For full regulations and requirements please refer to Ordinance 2021-3514 and CVMC Chapter
5.68.
Capitalized terms, words, and phrases shall be as defined in the Ordinance, unless otherwise defined in
the Guidelines.
The Guidelines may be amended from time to time by the Department. You may contact the Department
to confirm you are viewing the current version of the Guidelines.
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2. Short-Term Rental Permit Application
Chula Vista residents may each operate a maximum of one (1) Primary Residence STR and one (1) Non-
Primary Residence STR.
Residents may apply for an STR permit (“STR Permit”) at any time on or after June 1, 2022. The City will
begin enforcement of the permit requirement on July 1, 2022.
To apply for an STR Permit, file an application and pay the application fee. Online applications may be
completed by visiting https://chulavistaca.seamlessdocs.com/sc/formcenter/str.
The following documents and information must be provided and/or agreed upon as part of the application
process:
A. STR Address. Identification of the street address where the STR Unit is located.
B. Applicant’s Identification and Primary Residency Documentation. Verification of the Applicant’s
identity and the Applicant’s Primary Residency. Identification shall include the legal name of the
Applicant. Clearly legible scans or photographs of the documents below shall be provided.
Personal information on these documents other than name and address should be concealed or
removed prior to submission.
i. Photo Identification. Required documentation includes a valid federal or state-issued
photo identification (“ID”), such as a driver’s license, state ID card, or passport. If the ID
shows an address that matches the proposed STR address, then only one of the additional
Primary Residency documents (listed below) are required. If the ID does not show an
address that matches the proposed STR address, then two of the following Primary
Residency documents must be provided. Please note, utility bills are not acceptable
documentation of primary residency if your ID address does not match the proposed STR
address.
ii. Primary Residency. Either one or two (see above) of the following documents with the
Applicant’s full name and address of the STR Unit are required to establish primary
residency.
i. A valid California motor vehicle registration certificate showing name and home
address;
ii. A valid California voter’s registration card or a voter registration status document
showing name and home address (may be obtained online at
https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov and printed to save as a portable document
formatted “.pdf” file);
iii. A copy of a current property tax bill indicating homeowner’s exemption; or
iv. A utility bill issued in the last six (6) months showing name and home address. A
utility bill is only acceptable documentation if your ID address matches the
proposed STR address.
iii. Primary Residency Affirmation. Affirm through a digitally signed declaration (accessible
through the online permitting portal) that the Applicant will reside at the subject address
for a minimum of two hundred and seventy-five (275) days per calendar year.
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C. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration. All Applicants must register to pay TOT with the City
of Chula Vista Finance Department pursuant to CVMC Section 3.40.060. TOT registration for STRs
is available through Host Compliance.
D. Business License. All Applicants must secure a business license with the City of Chula Vista Finance
Department pursuant to CVMC Chapter 5.02. Business license applications may be submitted to
the Finance Department online. If you are applying for a new business license, please select a
Business Type of either “Short Term Rental Operator (STR)” or “Short Term Rental Agent (STR)”.
For the business license SIC Code, please use whichever of the following is most appropriate for
your Short-Term Rental Unit:
• 6514001 - Operators Of Dwellings Other Than Apartment Buildings
• 7021005 - Rental Of Furnished Rooms
• 6531019 - Time-sharing Real Estate: Sales, Leasing, And Rentals
• 7011004 - Cabins And Cottages
E. Property Owner Approval. If the Applicant is a Long-Term Renter or lessee, an affidavit signed by
both the Applicant and the property Owner/landlord that approves the Applicant’s STR use of
that property. The affidavit must be on the exact form provided as Administrative Document A.1.
in the Resources Section (also accessible through the online permitting portal), dated and
notarized, and shall include the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of the
Applicant, the property Owner/landlord, and clearly identify the address and unit of the property
being operated as an STR. A landlord may proactively prohibit STR use by tenants at any or all of
the Owner’s properties by submitting a notification through the permitting portal.
F. Local Contact Person. Identification of a local responsible contact person. Contact information
shall include name, address, email address, and a phone number where the contact person can
be reached and be available to access the STR 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
G. Hosting Platforms Used for Listings. Identification of all Hosting Platforms that will be used to
advertise the STR Unit, including the specific URL for each listing, if applicable. If an Applicant has
not yet started listing, and therefore does not have a specific URL (web address), the Applicant
must provide this information to the City via the online permitting portal within 24 hours of listing
their property on any Hosting Platform.
H. Residential Building. Affirm through a digitally signed declaration that the STR will not occur in
any vehicle parked on the property, storage shed, trailer, temporary structure, or other structure
not built for residential use.
I. Occupancy Limits. A maximum of two persons per bedroom, plus two additional persons, may
occupy the STR Unit at any given time. In no event shall the occupancy exceed 10 persons.
Children under the age of 12 do not count toward the maximum occupancy. The Applicant shall
identify the number of habitable rooms and include a digitally signed declaration that they will
not advertise nor book any guest stays that exceed the maximum occupancy without first securing
a STR Event Permit. STR Event Permits do not increase the maximum occupancy for lodging
purposes.
J. On-Site Parking Spaces. The Applicant shall identify the number of on-site parking spaces that will
be provided.
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K. Safety Features. Affirm through a digitally signed declaration that the Applicant’s rental unit
meets the safety requirements of CVMC Section 5.68.110(F), including, but not limited to, working
fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detection devices.
L. Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines. Affirm through a digitally signed declaration that the Applicant
shall post Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines inside the premises near an entry door that includes
emergency contact information for the Applicant and the Local Contact Person (if different). The
Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines shall also provide information about parking restrictions,
restrictions on noise and amplified sound, and trash collection schedule.
M. Application Fee. Pay a non-refundable fee of $250 at the time of application.
N. General Compliance. Affirm through a digitally signed declaration that the Applicant has complied
with all STR requirements and verifying the authenticity and accuracy of provided documents and
information.
O. Completeness Review. The Director of Development Services (or designee) shall review each
application for completeness and accuracy before it is accepted as being complete and officially
filed.
P. Incomplete Application. In the event that the Director of Development Services determines that
an application is incomplete or fails to provide the information and documentation required by
the Ordinance, the Director of Development Services shall notify the Applicant in writing, and the
Applicant shall have 30 calendar days (or longer as authorized by the Director of Development
Services) in which to submit needed supplemental information or documentation as specified by
the Director of Development Services. The City reserves the right to request additional
information and documentation from an Applicant regarding an application for an STR Permit and
to accept responses to requests for supplemental information or documentation. Failure to
submit the required information within the 30-day period may be cause for denial of the STR
Permit.
Q. On-Site Inspection. The Director of Development Services may require an on-site inspection of
the property to be performed by an Enforcement Officer during daytime business hours before
confirming that the application complies with all the applicable criteria and provisions of the
Ordinance.
R. Conditions of Approval. As a part of the approval of an application, the Director of Development
Services may impose such conditions in connection with the permit as he or she deems reasonably
necessary in order to fulfill the purposes of the Ordinance and may require reasonable guarantees
and evidence that such conditions will be satisfied.
S. Bases for Denial. Pursuant to authority granted to the City Manager to establish additional
administrative rules, regulations and standards governing the issuance, denial or renewal of STR
Permits or STR Event Permits (CVMC Section 5.68.200(A)), the Director of Development Services
is authorized to deny an application and decline to issue a permit for any of the following reasons,
in his/her discretion.
i. Failure to meet the eligibility requirements.
ii. Failure to meet the conditions of permit issuance, including payment of the required fees.
iii. Failure to resolve violations of applicable codes regarding fire, building and safety, health
and safety, and other relevant laws, regulations, and ordinances applicable to residential
uses and the underlying zone, as more fully described in CVMC Section 5.68.110(A).
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iv. Determination that the Applicant has made a false, misleading, or fraudulent statement
or omission of fact in the application or in the application process.
v. Determination that the Applicant, Owner, or Agent has been adversely sanctioned, or
penalized by the City, or any other city, county, or state, for a violation of applicable laws
or regulations related to STR operations.
vi. Determination that the Applicant, Owner, or Agent has conducted, facilitated, caused,
aided, abetted, suffered, or concealed unlawful STR activity in the City or any other
jurisdiction.
T. Denial Process. If an application for an STR Permit is denied, the Director of Development Services
shall notify the Applicant in writing of the determination. The notice will set forth the reasons for
denial and the procedures for an appeal of the determination.
U. Appeal. The Director of Development Services’ determination on the issuance or denial of an STR
Permit application may be appealed in accordance with the appeal procedures of CVMC 5.68.180
and Section 18.
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3. Eligibility
Prior to issuing an STR Permit, the City will verify that the Short-Term Rental Property (“STR
Property”) and STR Unit meet the following eligibility requirements using City data sources.
A. Primary Residency. The Applicant’s Primary Residence must be located in the City of Chula Vista.
A person may have only one (1) Primary Residence and must reside there for a minimum of 275
days per calendar year. Primary Residency may be documented by providing at least two of the
following:
i. Motor vehicle registration
ii. Driver’s license
iii. Voter registration
iv. Tax documents showing the residential unit as the person’s residence
v. Utility bill (a maximum of one utility bill shall be accepted for purposes of this section)
B. Housing Restrictions. The STR Unit shall not be a deed-restricted affordable housing unit, in a
special group residence, or a single-room occupancy. Further, the STR Unit shall not be an
Accessory Dwelling Unit (“ADU”) or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (“JADU”) for which a
construction permit was applied for on or after January 1, 2020.
C. Long-Term Tenants. A Long-Term Tenant shall not operate an STR without the prior written
approval of the property Owner. Approval of the property Owner may be demonstrated through
submission of a “Landlord’s Authorization to Conduct Short-Term Rental” Affidavit (provided as
Administrative Document A.1. in the Resources Section (also accessible through the online
permitting portal).
D. Applicant Prior Revocation. The Applicant shall not have been subject to a STR Permit revocation
during the previous twenty-four (24) month period.
E. Property Prior Revocation. The STR Unit shall not have been subject to a STR Permit revocation
during the previous twenty-four (24) month period. The Director of Development Services may
consider 100% transfers in ownership of the Dwelling Unit in implementing this provision.
F. More than One Non-Primary Residence STR. An Applicant may not hold an STR Permit for more
than one (1) Non-Primary Residence STR at any given time.
See CVMC Section 5.68.050 for all eligibility requirements.
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4. Term and Renewal
A. Term. STR Permits shall have a twelve (12) month term and shall expire on the last day of the
month (e.g., a Permit issued on July 15, 2022 shall expire on July 31, 2023.)
B. Voluntary Cancellation. At any time during the twelve (12) month term of the STR Permit, the
Permittee may voluntarily cancel their Permit by notifying the Director of Development Services,
in writing, of their intent to cancel. There is no specific form of notice required.
To renew an STR Permit, file a renewal application and pay the renewal fee. Online renewals may be
completed by visiting https://chulavistaca.seamlessdocs.com/sc/formcenter/str_renewal.
C. Renewal. Applications for renewal must be filed no later than thirty (30) days prior to the
Expiration Date set forth on the Permit. Renewal applications must indicate any changes to the
information or requirements set forth in CVMC 5.68.070.
D. Renewal Fee. Applications for renewal must be accompanied by a renewal fee in the amount of
$175.00.
E. Completeness Review. The Director of Development Services (or designee) shall review each
application for renewal of a duly issued permit for completeness and accuracy before it is
accepted as being complete and officially filed.
F. Incomplete Renewal Application. In the event that the Director of Development Services
determines that an application for renewal is incomplete or fails to provide the information and
documentation required by the Ordinance, the Director of Development Services shall notify the
Permittee in writing, and the Permittee shall have thirty (30) calendar days (or longer as
authorized by the Director of Development Services) in which to submit needed supplemental
information or documentation as specified by the Director of Development Services. The City
reserves the right to request additional information and documentation from a Permittee
regarding an application for renewal of an STR Permit and to accept responses to requests for
supplemental information or documentation. Failure to submit the required information within
the 30-day period may be cause for denial of the renewal.
G. On-Site Inspection. The Director of Development Services may require an on-site inspection of
the property to be performed by an Enforcement Officer during daytime business hours before
confirming that the application complies with all the applicable criteria and provisions of the
Ordinance.
H. Conditions of Approval. As a part of the approval of a renewal application, the Director of
Development Services may impose such conditions in connection with the permit as they deem
reasonably necessary in order to fulfill the purposes of the Ordinance and may require reasonable
guarantees and evidence that such conditions will be satisfied.
I. Denial. If an application for renewal of a duly issued STR Permit is denied, the Director of
Development Services shall notify the Permittee in writing of the determination. The notice will
set forth the reasons for denial and the procedures for an appeal of the determination.
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J. Appeal. The Director of Development Services’ determination on the issuance or denial of an STR
Permit renewal may be appealed in accordance with the appeal procedures of CVMC 5.68.180
and Section 18.
See CVMC Sections 5.68.080 and 5.68.100 for all renewal requirements and term information.
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5. STR Categories (Whole-Home, Partial-Home, Primary Residence, and
Non-Primary Residence)
A. Whole-Home STR. The rental of the entirety of an STR Unit while the Permittee is not physically
present and residing in the unit is considered a Whole-Home STR.
B. Partial-Home STR. The rental of any portion of an STR Unit while the Permittee is physically
present and residing in the unit is considered a Partial-Home STR.
C. Applicability to STR Properties with Multiple Habitable Structures. The rental of an ADU or JADU,
or any other accessory habitable structure that is not a Primary Residence is considered a Partial-
Home STR if the Owner or a Long-Term Tenant is physically present and residing in at least one of
the Dwelling Units on the STR Property during the rental period. If the Owner or Long-Term Tenant
is not physically present and residing in at least one of the Dwelling Units on the STR Property
during the rental period, this is considered a Whole-Home STR.
D. Limits on Days per Year, Primary Residence STR. Whole-Home Rental of a Primary-Residence STR
is limited to a maximum of 90 days per year. There is no limit on the number of days per year that
a Primary Residence STR may be partially rented.
E. Limit on Days per Year, Non-Primary Residence STR. There is no limit on the number of days per
year that a Non-Primary Residence STR may be rented (whether Whole-Home Rental or Partial-
Home).
F. Minimum Stay, Primary Residence STR. There is no minimum stay required for Primary Residence
STRs.
G. Minimum Stay, Non-Primary Residence STR. There is a two-consecutive night minimum stay
required for the Whole-Home rental of a Non-Primary Residence STR. There is no minimum stay
required for Partial-Home rental of a Non-Primary Residence STR.
The following examples are provided to illustrate the applicability of these rules.
Example 1: Duplex Dwelling Unit, Both Units Occupied
Resident A owns a duplex and resides in one unit. Resident B is a long-term tenant that resides in the other
unit.
Both units function independently as a primary residence, for purposes of the Ordinance. Resident A can
apply for an STR Permit for their unit, and Resident B can also apply for an STR Permit for their unit, with
Resident A’s written approval.
Each unit may each be rented as a Whole-Home STR for up to 90 days per year. There is no limit on the
number of days that each unit can be rented as a Partial-Home STR. There is no minimum stay for either
unit.
Example 2: Single-Family with a Pre-2020 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Resident C owns and resides in a single-family home. There is one ADU on the property that was
constructed in 2005. The ADU is not occupied by a long-term tenant.
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Resident C can apply for STR Permits for both the single-family residence and the ADU (each would require
its own permit).
The entirety of the property (the single-family residence + the ADU) may be rented as a Whole-Home STR
for up to 90 days per year. There is no limit on the number of days per year that each unit can be rented
as a Partial-Home STR. As long as Resident C resides in either the single-family residence or the ADU during
the Short-Term rental of the other unit, the rental is considered a Partial-Home STR.
There is no minimum stay for the single-family residence or the ADU.
Example 3: Multiple Properties
Resident D owns two single-family properties in Chula Vista. Property 1 includes a single-family dwelling
and an ADU constructed in 2005. Property 2 includes a single-family dwelling. Resident D resides in the
single-family dwelling on Property 1.
Resident D can apply for STR Permits for both single-family residences and the ADU (each would require
its own permit).
Property 1 (Primary Residence): The entirety of the property (the single-family residence + the ADU) may
be rented as a Whole-Home STR for up to 90 days per year. There is no limit on the number of days per
year that each unit can be rented as a Partial-Home STR. As long as Resident D resides in either the single-
family residence or the ADU during the Short-Term rental of the other unit, the rental is considered a
Partial-Home STR.
There is no minimum stay for the single-family residence or the ADU.
Property 2 (Non-Primary Residence):
There is no limit on the number of days per year the single-family dwelling can be rented as a Whole-
Home STR; however, rental as a Partial-Home STR is limited to 90 days per year. Partial-Home STR also
requires Resident D to be physically present and residing in Property 2 during the rental period.
If rented as a Whole-Home STR, a two-consecutive night minimum stay is required. There is no minimum
stay if rented as a Partial-Home STR.
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6. Operating Rules & Requirements: General
A. Insurance. Permittees shall maintain liability insurance appropriate to cover the STR use in the
aggregate of not less than $1,000,000. Alternatively, Permittees may conduct all STR transactions
through a Hosting Platform that provides equal or greater insurance coverage.
B. Advertising. All advertising appearing in any written publication or any website that promotes the
availability or existence of an STR must include the City’s issued STR Permit number.
C. Signage. STR Properties must comply with all signage restrictions and requirements applicable to
the zone they are located in.
D. Display of Business License. The City issued Business License (or a copy) must be prominently
displayed in a visible interior location of the STR Property during rental periods. It is required to
present the Business License upon request of any police officer, firefighter, fire marshal, code
enforcement officer, or designee of the City’s Finance Director.
E. Display of STR Permit. The City issued STR Permit (or a copy) must be prominently displayed in a
visible interior location of each STR Unit during rental periods. It is required to present the STR
Permit upon request of any police officer, firefighter, fire marshal, code enforcement officer, or
designee of the City’s Development Services Director.
F. Display of Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines. Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines, as outlined in
Section 7, Paragraph B (Operating Rules & Requirements: Good Neighbor Rules), must be
prominently displayed in a visible interior location in close proximity to an entry point of each STR
Unit during rental periods.
G. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). All STRs are subject to the City’s TOT, as required by CVMC
Chapter 3.40.
H. Receipts to be Maintained. The Permittee shall maintain the amounts and sources of gross
receipts, including but not limited to Rent and TOT paid for each stay.
I. Occupancy Limits. A maximum of two persons per bedroom, plus two additional persons, may
occupy each STR Unit at any given time. In no event shall the occupancy exceed ten (10) persons.
Children under the age of twelve (12) do not count toward the maximum occupancy. If the STR
Permit limits occupancy to a number less than the number calculated per this section, the limit in
the STR Permit applies.
J. No Large Events. STR Units and STR Properties shall not be used for large-scale events exceeding
the maximum allowed occupancy per Section H above, unless an STR Event Permit has been
issued. STR Event Permits do not increase the maximum occupancy for lodging purposes.
K. Update Changed Information. If any change occurs in any facts that were set forth in the initial
application or renewal request, the Permittee shall notify the City of the change immediately. In
no case shall this notification occur later than fourteen (14) calendar days after the change
occurred.
L. Responsible Person. A Responsible Person at least twenty-one (21) years of age and an Occupant
of the STR during the term of the rental must enter into the written STR rental agreement (see
Section 9 for additional rental agreement requirements). The Responsible Person is legally
responsible for ensuring that all occupants of the STR Unit comply with all applicable laws, rules,
and regulations pertaining to the use and occupancy of the STR Unit and may be held liable for
any violation of applicable laws, rules, and regulations set forth in the Ordinance.
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M. Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. It is the responsibility of the Permittee to investigate,
verify with the relevant homeowners’ association or maintenance organization, and determine
that the use of a Dwelling as an STR does not violate any applicable covenants, conditions, and
restrictions or any of the regulations or rules of the homeowners’ association or maintenance
organization having jurisdiction in connection with the STR Property. Notwithstanding the City’s
issuance of an STR Permit, the City shall not have any obligation or be responsible for making a
determination regarding whether or not the issuance of an STR Permit or the use of a Dwelling as
an STR is permitted under any covenants, conditions and restrictions or any of the regulations or
rules of the homeowners’ association or maintenance organization having jurisdiction in
connection with the STR Property, and the City shall have no enforcement obligations in
connection with such covenants, conditions and restrictions or such regulations or rules.
N. Garages. Unless the garage of the Dwelling has been included in the calculation of the number of
available off-street parking spaces pursuant to the Ordinance, a garage may be used by the
Permittee and Occupants of an STR as a game room; provided, however, that:
i. no couches or other furniture designed for use as, or conducive to, sleeping
accommodations shall be located inside a garage;
ii. no independent living accommodations and facilities (including provisions for living,
sleeping, eating, cooking, or sanitation) shall be located inside a garage;
iii. the garage door must be kept closed and the Director of Development Services may
require soundproofing of the garage as a condition of permit issuance on the basis of
substantiated complaints of noise emanating from the garage;
iv. a garage may not be used at any time for sleeping purposes; and
v. a garage may not be permanently modified to preclude its future use for the parking of
vehicles.
O. Inspections. Consistent with applicable law, the City shall have the authority to conduct random
inspections of STR Properties and STR Units as the Director of Development Services deems
necessary or prudent to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Ordinance, including
without limitation, based upon any complaints or violations that occur or prior to a renewal of a
permit.
P. Additional Conditions. The Director of Development Services shall have the authority at any time
to impose additional conditions on the use of any STR Unit or STR Property to ensure that any
potential secondary effects unique to the subject STR Unit or STR Property are avoided or
adequately mitigated.
Q. Hardships. The Director of Development Services is authorized to modify the standard conditions
upon request of an Applicant, Permittee, or their Agent, based on site-specific circumstances for
the purpose of allowing accommodation of an STR Unit. All requests must be in writing and shall
identify how the strict application of one or more of the standard conditions creates an actual and
unreasonable hardship to a property such that, if the requirement is not modified, reasonable use
of the property for an STR would not be allowed. Any hardships identified must relate to physical
constraints to the STR Property and shall not be self-induced or economic. Any modifications of
the standard conditions shall not further exacerbate an already existing problem. An Applicant or
Permittee may be required to provide such other supplemental information as may be requested
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by the Director of Development Services. The Director of Development Services shall only allow
modifications which are consistent with the purpose and intent of the Ordinance.
R. Inspections. Each Permittee, Agent, or representative of any Owner shall: (1) provide to the
Director of Development Services such records relating to the use and occupancy of the STR Unit,
and (2) cooperate in the conduct of inspections of the STR Unit, as may be reasonably requested
by the Director of Development Services, to determine that the objectives and conditions of the
Ordinance are met.
See CVMC Section 5.68.110 for all operational requirements. See CVMC Section 5.68.140 for all audit
inspection requirements.
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7. Operating Rules & Requirements: Good Neighbor Rules
A. Local Contact Person Available. While an STR unit is rented, the Permittee, the Permittee’s Agent,
and/or a designated Local Contact Person (the “local contact”) must be available 24 hours per
day, seven days per week to respond to complaints from the renter and/or the public regarding
the use, condition, operation, or conduct of occupants of the STR unit. The local contact must be
on the premises of the STR at the request of a Code Enforcement Officer or the City’s Police
Department within 1 hour of contact. The local contact is expected to correct or take remedial
actions that may be necessary to resolve any complaint, alleged nuisance, or other violation of
the Ordinance by occupants occurring at the STR Property.
B. Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines. Each STR shall post Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines inside the
permitted premises near an entry door. The Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines shall be in a form
authorized by the Director of Development Services. The Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines shall,
at a minimum, provide information that is consistent with the requirements and prohibitions
relating to parking restrictions, occupancy limitations, trash and debris requirements, and quiet
hours, in accordance with CVMC Section 5.68.110(H).
C. Good Neighbor Owner Handout. Within ten (10) calendar days of the issuance, renewal, or
transfer of an STR permit, the Permittee shall mail or personally deliver in writing a Good Neighbor
Owner Handout to the owners and occupants of properties located on all sides and directly across
the street (including alleys or other rights-of-way) from the STR Property. The Good Neighbor
Owner Handout shall be in a form authorized by the Director of Development Services. A
certification of the distribution of the Good Neighbor Owner Handout shall be submitted to the
Development Services Department within thirty (30) days of the issuance/renewal/transfer. If at
any time during the STR permit period, the Permittee or Local Contact Person information in the
Good Neighbor Owner Handout changes, the Permittee shall promptly provide an updated Good
Neighbor Owner Handout (following the previously described process, including submitting a
certification to the Director of Development Services).
D. Off-Street Parking. Off-street parking shall not include the use of landscaped areas, any private
or public sidewalk, parkway, walkway, or alley (or any portion thereof). The term sidewalk
includes the portion of the public right-of-way that is delineated for pedestrian travel, including
where it crosses a driveway. Off-street parking spaces may be in tandem to other off-site parking
spaces, or in any other on-site location and/or configuration as may be approved by the Director
of Development Services. If a garage is included in the determination of available off-street
parking spaces for the STR, access to the garage for parking purposes must be provided by the
Permittee.
E. On-Street Parking. A maximum of one (1) on-street parking space may be used by each STR
property. If the STR is located in a permit parking district, the Permittee may purchase one parking
permit or placard from the City, to be used by STR guests. If a permit or placard is required, it
must be visibly displayed inside the vehicle of the STR occupant.
F. No Recreational Vehicles. During the time that an STR Property is being rented, no recreational
vehicle or other vehicle used or designed for use as lodging or sleeping accommodations, bus,
boat, trailer, camper, cargo container, or personal watercraft may be parked at or on the STR
Property, unless 1) it belongs to the Permittee; 2) the Permittee is also physically occupying the
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STR Property during that period; 3) the vehicle is not being used by STR Occupants; and 4) in the
case of an RV, a valid RV parking permit has been secured for the vehicle.
G. Duty to Minimize Noise, Disturbance, and Disorderly Conduct. The Permittee, Permittee’s Agent,
and Local Contact Person, as applicable, shall use reasonably prudent business practices to ensure
that the Occupants of an STR Unit do not create unreasonable noise or disturbances, engage in
disorderly conduct, or violate any applicable law, rule or regulation pertaining to the use and
occupancy of the STR Unit. This includes, without limitation, violation of CVMC Section 17.24.040
or Chapter 19.68.
H. Quiet Time from 10:00 pm to 9:00 am. The hours between 10:00 pm and 9:00 am are “quiet
time”. No outdoor activity shall disturb the peace and quiet of the neighborhood adjacent to an
STR Property or cause discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitivity
residing in the area. It is a major violation of the Ordinance if any STR Occupants engage in outdoor
activities during quiet time that involve the use of fire pits, barbecues, swimming pools, hot tubs,
spas, tennis courts, paddleball courts, or other similar and related improvements or play
equipment. It is also a major violation of the Ordinance if STR Occupants engage in outdoor
parties, outdoor singing, shouting, clapping or other activities generally associated with partying
or engage in outdoor drunk or disorderly conduct during quiet time. Any other outdoor conduct
during quiet time that disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood adjacent to an STR
Property or causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitivity is a
minor violation of the Ordinance. It is not a violation of the Ordinance for an Occupant to merely
be outdoors during quiet time hours, so long as there is no conduct that disturbs the peace and
quiet of the neighborhood or causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal
sensitivity residing in the area. Notice of quiet time shall be posted near all doors leading to the
exterior of the STR Unit. The notice shall be in a form acceptable to the Director of Development
Services.
I. Trash and Debris. Trash and refuse shall not be stored within public view, except in proper
containers for the purpose of collection between the hours of 5 pm the day before and 12
midnight the day of scheduled trash collection. The Permittee shall provide sufficient trash
collection containers and service to meet the demands of the Occupants. The STR Property shall
be free of debris both on site and in the adjacent portion of the site.
See CVMC Section 5.68.110 for all operational requirements.
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8. Operating Rules & Requirements: Guest Safety Requirements
A. The property address must be visible from the street and in contrasting colors.
B. Smoke alarms must be installed in all habitable areas except the kitchen, in accordance with the
Chula Vista Building Code.
C. At least one 2A:10BC-rated portable fire extinguisher must be installed in plain sight and within
each reach on each floor of the STR. The fire extinguisher must be fully charged and operable at
all times.
D. One or more carbon monoxide devices that meet the standards of Section 13262 of the California
Health and Safety Code must be installed in common stairways and hallways. The devices must
be tested and maintained properly.
E. Exterior gates leading to and from the front, side, and/or back yards shall not be padlocked.
F. Hallway doors and exit doors shall not be obstructed or otherwise prohibited from fully opening.
G. No double-keyed dead bolt locks may be installed on exit doors.
H. If the home has a swimming pool (as defined in the adopted California Building Code) gates and
other safety devices that conform to the specifications and requirements of the adopted
California Building Code must be employed.
I. Operable emergency escape and rescue openings must be provided in accordance with the
adopted California Building Codes. Specifically, basements, habitable attics, and all sleeping
rooms shall have at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening. Emergency escape
and rescue openings shall open directly into a public right-of-way, or to a yard or court that opens
to a public right-of-way.
J. Garages may not be used at any time for sleeping purposes and no independent living
accommodations and facilities (including provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, or
sanitation) shall be located inside a garage.
K. The use and sale of pyrotechnic devices, dangerous fireworks, and “safe and sane” fireworks are
prohibited.
See CVMC Section 5.68.110 for all operational requirements.
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9. Operating Rules & Requirements: Written Rental Agreement
For each separate rental occasion, the Permittee or the Permittee’s Agent shall enter into a written rental
agreement with a Responsible Person. This agreement shall be entered into prior to occupancy and shall
establish and set out the terms and conditions of the rental and require the Responsible Person to:
A. Provide his or her name, age, address, driver’s license number or passport number;
B. Provide the vehicle license number for any car to be parked on the street (limit of 1 per rental);
C. Agree to be accessible to the Permittee, the Permittee’s Agent, and the Local Contact Person (if
any) by telephone at all times;
D. Acknowledge his or her understanding of all City of Chula Vista STR rules; and
E. Agree that they are liable for any fines incurred by Occupants and legally responsible for
compliance by all Occupants of the STR Unit with all provisions of the Ordinance and the CVMC.
The written rental agreement shall also include the following terms, notifications, and disclosures.
F. The maximum number of Occupants that are permitted and notification that failure to conform
to the maximum occupancy is a violation of the Ordinance.
G. The number of off-street parking spaces provided on the STR Property and the maximum number
of vehicles that are permitted, along with the number of available permits for parking on the
public street (if any, maximum of one), with the requirement to display such permits in the
vehicles, and a summary of all applicable parking rules.
H. The trash pick-up day(s) and applicable rules and regulations pertaining to leaving or storing trash
on the exterior of the STR Property.
I. Notification that Occupants may be cited or fined by the City and/or that the Permittee or the
Permittee’s Agent has the right to immediately terminate the rental agreement and immediately
evict the Responsible Person and all Occupants upon any violation of the Ordinance or the CVMC
by any Occupant.
J. The name of the Permittee’s Agent and the name of the Local Contact Person (if any) and a
telephone number at which those Persons may be reached at all times and 9-1-1 emergency
information.
K. A clear and conspicuous statement that Occupants must obey the requirements set forth in the
Ordinance even if these requirements are stricter than the applicable covenants, conditions and
restrictions or other rules or regulations of the governing body of any homeowners’ association
or maintenance organization having jurisdiction over the STR Property.
L. A summary of any applicable covenants, conditions and restrictions and rules and regulations,
including pool location and hours, of the governing body of any homeowners’ or maintenance
association having jurisdiction over the STR Property.
M. A copy of the Ordinance, as may be amended from time to time.
A copy of the rental agreement shall be provided to each Occupant and shall be readily available to review
upon inspections conducted by any Code Enforcement Officer or Police Officer.
See CVMC Section 5.68.110 for all operational requirements.
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10. Transfers
A. Within 14 calendar days of a change of ownership or long-term tenancy of an STR Property, the
new Owner or Long-Term Tenant or their Agent shall submit to the Director of Development
Services an application for a transfer of an STR Permit, if they wish to continue to operate the STR
Unit. The application shall be accompanied by the payment of such fee or fees as presently
designated, or as may be in the future amended, in the master fee schedule of the City. Such
application shall contain all the information set forth in Section 2.
B. If a timely and complete transfer application is submitted, and the STR Permit is valid and in effect
prior to its Expiration Date, then the STR Permit shall be extended until the date a determination
is made by the Director of Development Services to approve or deny the transfer application.
C. No purchaser of the real property upon which a permitted STR is located shall operate an STR
under a previous Permittee’s STR Permit if a completed transfer application is not submitted
within the 14-day period specified above. Failure to submit the required complete application
within the 14-day period may be cause for denial.
D. Any building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire, health, police or code enforcement matter
involving a risk to public or private health or safety, including any notices of violation, notices to
cure, orders of abatement, cease and desist orders, or correction notices, may be cause for denial
of an application for a transfer of an STR Permit if not cured within a reasonable period of time,
not to exceed 30 calendar days, after the date on a notice from the Director of Development
Services to the Owner or Long-Term Tenant to do so, unless a further extension is granted in
writing by the Director of Development Services.
E. No Person shall transfer or attempt to transfer an STR Permit to any other Person, except as
authorized by the Ordinance. Any such attempt shall be void and constitute a violation of the
Ordinance.
F. No Person shall convey or attempt to convey an STR Permit from one property to another
property. Any attempt to convey an STR Permit from one property to another property shall be
void and constitute a violation of the Ordinance.
See CVMC Section 5.68.090 for all permit transfer requirements.
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11. Short-Term Rental Event Permits
A. Event Permit Required. If you would like to host a large-scale event at an STR Unit or STR Property
that exceeds the maximum occupancy allowed pursuant to CVMC 5.68.110, you must first secure
a Short-Term Rental Event Permit (“STR Event Permit”). Large-scale events requiring an STR Event
Permit include, but are not limited to, commercial parties, weddings, fundraisers, conferences,
and other similar assemblies that are separate from the purpose of lodging. STR Event Permits
are only required if you are charging a fee for the use of the STR Property (Rent). Hosting an event
for yourself, a family member, etc., that is not in exchange for a fee does not require an STR Event
Permit.
B. Term. Each STR Event Permit will have a maximum term of twelve (12) hours. If your event will
run for more than twelve (12) hours, you must apply for additional permits sufficient to cover the
full term of your event.
C. Permits Limited. Each permitted STR Unit is eligible for a maximum of twelve (12) STR Event
Permits per term (each twelve (12) month period).
D. Lodging Purposes Excluded. STR Event Permits do not increase the maximum occupancy for
lodging purposes.
To apply for an STR Event Permit, submit an STR Event Permit application and pay the STR Event Permit
fee. Online applications may be completed by visiting
https://chulavistaca.seamlessdocs.com/sc/formcenter/str_event.
E. Eligibility. You must have a valid STR Permit in order to apply for an STR Event Permit.
F. STR Event Permit Fee. Each application for an STR Event Permit must be accompanied by a fee in
the amount of $40.00.
See CVMC 5.68.120 for all STR Event Permit regulations.
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12. Hosting Platform Responsibilities
A. Take Down Notice. Upon written or electronic notification from the City that the City has not
issued a permit for an STR which is listed or advertised on the internet website provided or
maintained by a Hosting Platform, the Hosting Platform shall discontinue and remove the listing
or advertisement within 10 calendar days from the transmittal date of the notification. The
Hosting Platform thereafter shall not list or advertise the STR without written certification from
the City that the required permit has been issued.
B. Information to Be Provided to Responsible Person. A Hosting Platform operating in the City shall
provide the following information to any Person listing a Dwelling Unit through the Hosting
Platform’s service:
i. Notice of the requirements listed in the Ordinance, including the requirement to obtain a
business license and STR Permit prior to any listing;
ii. Notice of the TOT requirements (Chapter 3.40 CMVC).
Upon request by the City, a Hosting Platform shall provide documentation to the City
demonstrating that the Hosting Platform provided the required notification. Hosting
Platform’s failure to provide written notification shall not excuse any Person from
complying with any local regulations.
C. TOT Collection Responsibilities. The Hosting Platform shall collect all required TOT (Chapter 3.40
CMVC) on accommodation transactions facilitated by the Hosting Platform and shall remit the
taxes on a monthly basis to the City with the completion of a form approved by the City. A Hosting
Platform collecting and remitting transient occupancy taxes under this section shall issue a receipt
to each Responsible Person. The Hosting Platform shall separately state on the receipt the amount
of the transient occupancy tax charged and maintain a duplicate of such receipt. A Hosting
Platform shall maintain all documentation necessary to demonstrate that the proper amount of
taxes have been remitted to the City for a period of four years after the date of remittance.
D. Information to Be Collected and Provided to City. Subject to applicable law, a Hosting Platform
with listings located in the City shall provide to the City on a monthly basis, in a format specified
by the City, the STR Permit number of each listing, the name of the Person responsible for each
listing, the address of each such listing, and, for each booking that occurs within the reporting
period, the number of days booked, whether the booking was for a Whole-Home STR or a Partial-
Home STR, and the total price paid for each rental.
A Hosting Platform shall maintain, to the extent received from the Person responsible for the
listing, the following information for each Dwelling Unit in the City for which the Hosting Platform
provided a booking service for a period of four years from the date of the transaction:
i. The first and last name of the Person who offered the STR;
ii. The exact street address of the Dwelling Unit, including any unit numbers;
iii. The dates for which a Responsible Person procured occupancy of the Dwelling Unit
using the booking service provided by the Hosting Platform, and the total number of
room nights by reporting period by Owner;
iv. The gross receipts, including but not limited to Rent and TOT, paid for each stay in a
format required by the City; and
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v. The City STR Permit number and the City TOT Certificate number associated with the
STR.
A Hosting Platform shall deliver the foregoing information to the City upon request. The City may
apply auditing procedures necessary to determine the amount of taxes due to the City and to
ensure compliance with the Ordinance.
E. Conformance to Law. The provisions of this section shall be interpreted in accordance with
otherwise applicable state and federal law(s) and will not apply if determined by the City to be in
violation of any such law(s).
See CVMC 5.68.150 for all Hosting Platform responsibilities.
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13. Violations: Major
A “major violation” of the Ordinance consists of any of the following:
A. Operating an STR without securing an STR Permit;
B. Exceeding STR Unit occupancy limitations without securing an STR Event Permit;
C. Any Occupants engaging in outdoor activities on an STR Property between the hours of 10:00 p.m.
and 9:00 a.m. that involve the use of fire pits, barbecues, swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, tennis
or paddleball courts, or other similar and related improvements or play equipment, or if any
Occupants engage in outdoor parties, outdoor singing, shouting, clapping or other activities
generally associated with partying or if Occupants engage in any outdoor drunk or disorderly
conduct during those hours;
D. The Permittee, the Permittee’s Agent and/or the Local Contact Person, failing to respond to an
Enforcement Officer’s request, respond within one hour, or to reasonably cooperate in facilitating
an investigation and the correction of a suspected violation of the Ordinance;
E. The unpermitted use of a garage as a game room or for sleeping purposes at an STR Unit or on an
STR Property;
F. Criminal activities by the Permittee, Permittee’s Agent, the Local Contact Person, or any Occupant
on the premises; however, a minor violation shall not be deemed a criminal activity for purposes
of constituting a major violation merely because any violation of the Ordinance may constitute a
misdemeanor or a public nuisance;
G. Any other violation of the Ordinance determined by the City Manager to constitute a serious
threat to the public health or safety of the community; or
H. Four minor violations of any type in connection with the same STR Unit or STR Property during
any continuous period of 12 months.
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14. Violations: Minor
A “minor violation” of the Ordinance consists of any of the following:
A. A failure of the Permittee to obtain the signature of the Responsible Person acknowledging the
rules;
B. A failure to pay TOT required for the STR;
C. A failure to register to pay TOT for the STR; or
D. Any violation of any law, ordinance, resolution, or permit condition regulating STR Units or STR
Properties or any other provisions of federal, state, or local law that does not constitute a “major
violation”.
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15. Penalties: General
A. It is unlawful for any Person to violate any provision or fail to comply with the requirements of
the Ordinance or any regulation adopted thereunder. Each day that a violation continues is
deemed to be a new and separate offense.
B. Any Person violating any of the provisions or failing to comply with any of the requirements of the
Ordinance or any regulation adopted thereunder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by
a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a period of not more than six months, or by
both a fine and imprisonment. No proof of knowledge, intent, or other mental state is required
to establish a violation. At the sole discretion of the City Prosecutor, any violation of the Ordinance
may in the alternative be cited and prosecuted as an infraction.
C. Any condition caused or allowed to exist in violation of any of the provisions of the Ordinance or
any regulation adopted thereunder is a public nuisance. Such violation may be abated by the City,
or by the City Attorney on behalf of the people of the state of California, as a nuisance in any
manner provided for in the CVMC, including summary abatement, or otherwise provided by law
or equity, including a restraining order, injunction, or any other order or judgment in law or equity
issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. The City, or the City Attorney on behalf of the people
of the state of California, may seek injunctive relief to enjoin violations of, or to compel
compliance with, the Ordinance or seek any other relief or remedy available at law or equity,
including the imposition of monetary civil penalties. All expenses incurred by the City in
connection with any action to abate a public nuisance will be chargeable as authorized by law to
the Persons creating, causing, committing, or maintaining the public nuisance.
D. An Enforcement Officer may issue administrative citations or civil penalties in accordance with
CVMC Chapter 1.41 for violation of any of the provisions of the Ordinance or any regulation
adopted thereunder. When a violation occurs, it is not required that a warning or notice to cure
must first be given before an administrative citation or civil penalty may be issued. Any report
where the City’s Police Department has concluded that a violation of the Ordinance has occurred
may be submitted to the Director of Development Services for review, processing and issuance of
an administrative citation or civil penalty by an Enforcement Officer.
E. Each criminal citation, administrative citation, and civil penalty issued for a violation of any
provision of the Ordinance may be issued, levied, or assessed against one or more of: the Owner,
the Permittee, the Permittee’s Agent, a Hosting Platform, the Responsible Party, the Occupant,
and any other Person who caused, created, committed, or maintained the violation.
F. A violation of any provision of the Ordinance by any Permittee, Permittee’s Agent, Local Contact
Person, Responsible Person or Occupant of an STR shall constitute grounds for modification of the
STR Permit.
G. The Director of Development Services may suspend or revoke an STR Permit if any three major
violations are issued in connection with the same STR Property within a continuous period of 12
months, including major violations that result from aggregating minor violations into a major
violation as described in CVMC Section 5.68.160(I)(1)(h). A change of Ownership shall have no
effect on the accumulation of violations against the STR Property.
H. When a violation occurs, it is not required that a warning or notice to cure must first be given in
order to impose the sanction of modification, suspension, or revocation of the STR Permit.
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I. Whenever in the Ordinance any act or omission is made unlawful, it shall include causing, aiding,
abetting, suffering, or concealing the fact of such act or omission.
J. The remedies specified in the Ordinance are cumulative and in addition to any other remedies
available under state or local law for violation of this code.
K. Nothing herein shall be construed as requiring the City to allow, permit, license, authorize or
otherwise regulate STR or Event activity, or as abridging the City’s police power with respect to
enforcement regarding STR or Event activity.
See CVMC 5.68.160 for all penalty information.
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16. Penalties: Amounts
A. The City may issue an administrative citation or civil penalty for any violation of the Ordinance as
follows:
i. First offense - not to exceed $100.00 for a minor offense and $1,000 for a major offense;
ii. Second offense within any continuous period of 12 consecutive months – not to exceed
$500.00 if the offense is a minor offense and $2,000 if the offense is a major offense;
iii. Third and fourth offenses within any continuous period of 12 consecutive months – not
to exceed $1,000 if the offense is a minor offense and $4,000 if the offense is a major
offense.
iv. Fifth and subsequent offenses within any continuous period of 12 consecutive months –
not to exceed $1,500 if the offense is a minor offense and not to exceed $5,000 if the
offense is a major offense.
B. Unless prohibited by any state or federal law, the City may issue a Hosting Platform an
administrative citation or civil penalty for any violation of the Ordinance or the CVMC by the
Hosting Platform as follows:
i. First offense – not to exceed $500.00;
ii. Second offense within any continuous period of 12 consecutive months – not to exceed
$1,000;
iii. Third and subsequent offenses within any continuous period of 12 consecutive months –
not to exceed $2,000.
See CVMC 5.68.160 for all penalty information.
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17. Permit Modifications, Suspensions, and Revocations
A. In addition to any other penalty authorized by law, an STR Permit may be modified, suspended,
or revoked for any violation of the Ordinance or federal, state, or local law in accordance with the
provisions of this section.
B. The Director of Development Services shall have the authority to modify an STR Permit to impose
additional conditions or amend existing terms or conditions in the event of any violation of any
condition of the permit or any violation of the Ordinance or federal, state, or local law.
C. Any modification of conditions or suspension or revocation of an STR Permit shall be in accordance
with the following procedures:
i. The Director of Development Services shall conduct an investigation whenever they have
reason to believe that an Owner, Permittee, Permittee’s Agent, or Local Contact Person
is in violation of, or has failed to comply with, any condition of the STR Permit, any
requirements of the Ordinance or federal, state, or local law.
ii. Should the investigation reveal substantial evidence to support a finding that a violation
occurred, the Director of Development Services shall issue a written notice of intention
to modify, suspend and/or revoke the permit. The written notice shall be served on the
Responsible Person, shall specify the facts which, in the opinion of the Director of
Development Services, constitute substantial evidence to establish grounds for
modification, suspension and/or revocation, and state that the permit will be modified,
suspended or revoked within 30 calendar days from the date the notice is given unless
the Owner or Person aggrieved by the Director of Development Services’ decision files
with the City Clerk, before the modification, suspension or revocation becomes effective,
a request for an administrative hearing to appeal the decision pursuant to the Ordinance
appeal procedures.
See CVMC 5.68.170 for all procedures for permit modifications, suspensions, and/or revocations.
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18. Appeal Procedures
A. Any affected Person may appeal a decision of the Development Services Director modifying,
denying, suspending, or revoking an STR Permit to the City Manager within 30 calendar days from
the date the notice is given.
B. Said appeal shall be in writing and filed with the City Clerk upon forms provided by the
Development Services Department and shall specify therein that the decision of the Development
Services Director was in error and identify the facts and circumstances on which the claim of error
is based.
C. If an appeal is filed within the time limit specified, it shall automatically stay proceedings in the
matter until a determination is made by the City Manager.
D. The City Manager shall set the matter for hearing before a hearing examiner and notify the parties
in writing of the date and location of the hearing at least 10 business days prior to said date.
E. The fee to request an appeal pursuant to the Ordinance shall be in the form of a deposit, the
amount to be determined by the City Manager in accordance with any applicable law based on
the anticipated staff cost to conduct the hearing.
F. If the cost of the hearing or appeal exceeds the deposited amount, the requesting party shall be
responsible for payment of the additional costs incurred.
G. If the hearing officer determines that the violation is not supported by the evidence, the entire
deposited amount will be returned to the party that requested the appeal. The appeal hearing
shall be conducted pursuant to CVMC Sections 1.30.090 and 1.30.100.
See CVMC 5.68.180 for all appeal procedures.
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19. Resources
A. Administrative Documents
1. Primary Residency Declaration
2. Landlord Affidavit
B. Online Resources
1. STR Permitting Portal
2. Register to Pay TOT
3. Remit TOT
4. Apply for a Business License
5. Renew a Business License
6. Apply for an RV Parking Permit
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES
Ordinance No. 2021-3514
Chula Vista Municipal Code Chapter 5.68
Development Services Department
Issued June 15, 2022
Amended August 1, 2022
Amended August 19, 2022
Amended October 17, 2022
CONTENTS
1. Scope & Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 1
2. Short-Term Rental Permit Application ............................................................................................. 2
3. Eligibility ........................................................................................................................................... 6
4. Term and Renewal ........................................................................................................................... 7
5. STR Categories (Whole-Home, Partial-Home, Primary Residence, and Non-Primary Residence) .. 9
6. Operating Rules & Requirements: General ................................................................................... 11
7. Operating Rules & Requirements: Good Neighbor Rules .............................................................. 14
8. Operating Rules & Requirements: Guest Safety Requirements .................................................... 16
9. Operating Rules & Requirements: Written Rental Agreement ..................................................... 17
10. Transfers ........................................................................................................................................ 18
11. Short-Term Rental Event Permits .................................................................................................. 19
12. Hosting Platform Responsibilities .................................................................................................. 20
13. Violations: Major ............................................................................................................................ 22
14. Violations: Minor ........................................................................................................................... 23
15. Penalties: General .......................................................................................................................... 24
16. Penalties: Amounts ........................................................................................................................ 26
17. Permit Modifications, Suspensions, and Revocations ................................................................... 27
18. Appeal Procedures ......................................................................................................................... 28
19. Resources ....................................................................................................................................... 29
For additional information please contact:
Development Services Department
276 Fourth Avenue, Building B
Chula Vista, CA 91914
(619) 476-2332
www.chulavistaca.gov/str
complaints@chulavistaca.gov
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1. Scope & Purpose
These administrative guidelines (“Guidelines”) are promulgated by the Development Services Department
(“Department”) for the purposes of implementing the Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2021-
3514) (“Ordinance”) pursuant to Chula Vista Municipal Code (“CVMC”) Section 5.68.200(A).
These Guidelines reflect the City’s application of the Ordinance and provide detail on how property
owners, Permittees, and Hosting Platforms can comply with the Ordinance to ensure that all Short-Term
Rental Units (“STR Units”) are lawfully registered, permitted, and operated as Short-Term Rentals
(“STRs”). For full regulations and requirements please refer to Ordinance 2021-3514 and CVMC Chapter
5.68.
Capitalized terms, words, and phrases shall be as defined in the Ordinance, unless otherwise defined in
the Guidelines.
The Guidelines may be amended from time to time by the Department. You may contact the Department
to confirm you are viewing the current version of the Guidelines.
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2. Short-Term Rental Permit Application
Chula Vista residents may each operate a maximum of one (1) Primary Residence STR and one (1) Non-
Primary Residence STR.
Residents may apply for an STR permit (“STR Permit”) at any time on or after June 1, 2022. The City will
begin enforcement of the permit requirement on July 1, 2022.
To apply for an STR Permit, file an application and pay the application fee. Online applications may be
completed by visiting https://chulavistaca.seamlessdocs.com/sc/formcenter/str.
The following documents and information must be provided and/or agreed upon as part of the application
process:
A. STR Address. Identification of the street address where the STR Unit is located.
B. Applicant’s Identification and Primary Residency Documentation. Verification of the Applicant’s
identity and the Applicant’s Primary Residency. Identification shall include the legal name of the
Applicant. Clearly legible scans or photographs of the documents below shall be provided.
Personal information on these documents other than name and address should be concealed or
removed prior to submission.
i. Photo Identification. Required documentation includes a valid federal or state-issued
photo identification (“ID”), such as a driver’s license, state ID card, or passport. If the ID
shows an address that matches the declared primary residence, then only one of the
additional Primary Residency documents (listed below) are required. If the ID does not
show an address that matches the declared primary residence, then two of the following
Primary Residency documents must be provided. Please note, utility bills are not
acceptable documentation of primary residency if your ID address does not match the
declared primary residence.
ii. Primary Residency. Either one or two (see above) of the following documents with the
Applicant’s full name and address of the declared primary residence are required to
establish primary residency.
i. A valid California motor vehicle registration certificate showing name and home
address;
ii. A valid California voter’s registration card or a voter registration status document
showing name and home address (may be obtained online at
https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov and printed to save as a portable document
formatted “.pdf” file);
iii. A copy of a current property tax bill indicating homeowner’s exemption;
iv. A utility bill issued in the last six (6) months showing name and home address. A
utility bill is only acceptable documentation if your ID address matches your
declared primary residence; or
v. Other documentation that, based on factors, circumstances or indications, is
reliable and trustworthy, as determined in the sole discretion of the Director of
Development Services (e.g., certain documents issued by a local, state, or U. S.
Government agency).
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iii. Primary Residency Affirmation. Declare Applicant’s place of primary residency within the
City of Chula Vista and affirm through a digitally signed declaration (accessible through
the online permitting portal) that the Applicant will reside at the subject address for a
minimum of two hundred and seventy-five (275) days per calendar year.
C. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration. All Applicants must register to pay TOT with the City
of Chula Vista Finance Department pursuant to CVMC Section 3.40.060. TOT registration for STRs
is available through Host Compliance.
D. Business License. All Applicants must secure a business license with the City of Chula Vista Finance
Department pursuant to CVMC Chapter 5.02. Business license applications may be submitted to
the Finance Department online. If you are applying for a new business license, please select a
Business Type of either “Short Term Rental Operator (STR)” or “Short Term Rental Agent (STR)”.
For the business license SIC Code, please use whichever of the following is most appropriate for
your Short-Term Rental Unit:
• 6514001 - Operators Of Dwellings Other Than Apartment Buildings
• 7021005 - Rental Of Furnished Rooms
• 6531019 - Time-sharing Real Estate: Sales, Leasing, And Rentals
• 7011004 - Cabins And Cottages
E. Property Owner Approval. If the Applicant is a Long-Term Renter or lessee, an affidavit signed by
both the Applicant and the property Owner/landlord that approves the Applicant’s STR use of
that property. The affidavit must be on the exact form provided as Administrative Document A.1.
in the Resources Section (also accessible through the online permitting portal), dated and
notarized, and shall include the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of the
Applicant, the property Owner/landlord, and clearly identify the address and unit of the property
being operated as an STR. A landlord may proactively prohibit STR use by tenants at any or all of
the Owner’s properties by submitting a notification through the permitting portal.
F. Local Contact Person. Identification of a local responsible contact person. Contact information
shall include name, address, email address, and a phone number where the contact person can
be reached and be available to access the STR 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
G. Hosting Platforms Used for Listings. Identification of all Hosting Platforms that will be used to
advertise the STR Unit, including the specific URL for each listing, if applicable. If an Applicant has
not yet started listing, and therefore does not have a specific URL (web address), the Applicant
must provide this information to the City via the online permitting portal within 24 hours of listing
their property on any Hosting Platform.
H. Residential Building. Affirm through a digitally signed declaration that the STR will not occur in
any vehicle parked on the property, storage shed, trailer, temporary structure, or other structure
not built for residential use.
I. Occupancy Limits. A maximum of two persons per bedroom, plus two additional persons, may
occupy the STR Unit at any given time. In no event shall the occupancy exceed 10 persons.
Children under the age of 12 do not count toward the maximum occupancy. The Applicant shall
identify the number of habitable rooms and include a digitally signed declaration that they will
not advertise nor book any guest stays that exceed the maximum occupancy without first securing
a STR Event Permit. STR Event Permits do not increase the maximum occupancy for lodging
purposes.
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J. On-Site Parking Spaces. The Applicant shall identify the number of on-site parking spaces that will
be provided.
K. Safety Features. Affirm through a digitally signed declaration that the Applicant’s rental unit
meets the safety requirements of CVMC Section 5.68.110(F), including, but not limited to, working
fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detection devices.
L. Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines. Affirm through a digitally signed declaration that the Applicant
shall post Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines inside the premises near an entry door that includes
emergency contact information for the Applicant and the Local Contact Person (if different). The
Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines shall also provide information about parking restrictions,
restrictions on noise and amplified sound, and trash collection schedule.
M. Application Fee. Pay a non-refundable fee of $250 at the time of application.
N. General Compliance. Affirm through a digitally signed declaration that the Applicant has complied
with all STR requirements and verifying the authenticity and accuracy of provided documents and
information.
O. Completeness Review. The Director of Development Services (or designee) shall review each
application for completeness and accuracy before it is accepted as being complete and officially
filed.
P. Incomplete Application. In the event that the Director of Development Services determines that
an application is incomplete or fails to provide the information and documentation required by
the Ordinance, the Director of Development Services shall notify the Applicant in writing, and the
Applicant shall have 30 calendar days (or longer as authorized by the Director of Development
Services) in which to submit needed supplemental information or documentation as specified by
the Director of Development Services. The City reserves the right to request additional
information and documentation from an Applicant regarding an application for an STR Permit and
to accept responses to requests for supplemental information or documentation. Failure to
submit the required information within the 30-day period may be cause for denial of the STR
Permit.
Q. On-Site Inspection. The Director of Development Services may require an on-site inspection of
the property to be performed by an Enforcement Officer during daytime business hours before
confirming that the application complies with all the applicable criteria and provisions of the
Ordinance.
R. Conditions of Approval. As a part of the approval of an application, the Director of Development
Services may impose such conditions in connection with the permit as he or she deems reasonably
necessary in order to fulfill the purposes of the Ordinance and may require reasonable guarantees
and evidence that such conditions will be satisfied.
S. Bases for Denial. Pursuant to authority granted to the City Manager to establish additional
administrative rules, regulations and standards governing the issuance, denial or renewal of STR
Permits or STR Event Permits (CVMC Section 5.68.200(A)), the Director of Development Services
is authorized to deny an application and decline to issue a permit for any of the following reasons,
in his/her discretion.
i. Failure to meet the eligibility requirements.
ii. Failure to meet the conditions of permit issuance, including payment of the required fees.
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iii. Failure to resolve violations of applicable codes regarding fire, building and safety, health
and safety, and other relevant laws, regulations, and ordinances applicable to residential
uses and the underlying zone, as more fully described in CVMC Section 5.68.110(A).
iv. Determination that the Applicant has made a false, misleading, or fraudulent statement
or omission of fact in the application or in the application process.
v. Determination that the Applicant, Owner, or Agent has been adversely sanctioned, or
penalized by the City, or any other city, county, or state, for a violation of applicable laws
or regulations related to STR operations.
vi. Determination that the Applicant, Owner, or Agent has conducted, facilitated, caused,
aided, abetted, suffered, or concealed unlawful STR activity in the City or any other
jurisdiction.
T. Denial Process. If an application for an STR Permit is denied, the Director of Development Services
shall notify the Applicant in writing of the determination. The notice will set forth the reasons for
denial and the procedures for an appeal of the determination.
U. Appeal. The Director of Development Services’ determination on the issuance or denial of an STR
Permit application may be appealed in accordance with the appeal procedures of CVMC 5.68.180
and Section 18.
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3. Eligibility
Prior to issuing an STR Permit, the City will verify that the Short-Term Rental Property (“STR
Property”) and STR Unit meet the following eligibility requirements using City data sources.
A. Primary Residency. The Applicant’s Primary Residence must be located in the City of Chula Vista.
A person may have only one (1) Primary Residence and must reside there for a minimum of 275
days per calendar year. Primary Residency may be documented by providing at least two of the
following:
i. Motor vehicle registration
ii. Driver’s license
iii. Voter registration
iv. Tax documents showing the residential unit as the person’s residence
v. Utility bill (a maximum of one utility bill shall be accepted for purposes of this section)
B. Housing Restrictions. The STR Unit shall not be a deed-restricted affordable housing unit, in a
special group residence, or a single-room occupancy. Further, the STR Unit shall not be an
Accessory Dwelling Unit (“ADU”) or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (“JADU”) for which a
construction permit was applied for on or after January 1, 2020.
C. Long-Term Tenants. A Long-Term Tenant shall not operate an STR without the prior written
approval of the property Owner. Approval of the property Owner may be demonstrated through
submission of a “Landlord’s Authorization to Conduct Short-Term Rental” Affidavit (provided as
Administrative Document A.1. in the Resources Section (also accessible through the online
permitting portal).
D. Applicant Prior Revocation. The Applicant shall not have been subject to a STR Permit revocation
during the previous twenty-four (24) month period.
E. Property Prior Revocation. The STR Unit shall not have been subject to a STR Permit revocation
during the previous twenty-four (24) month period. The Director of Development Services may
consider 100% transfers in ownership of the Dwelling Unit in implementing this provision.
F. More than One Non-Primary Residence STR. An Applicant may not hold an STR Permit for more
than one (1) Non-Primary Residence STR at any given time.
See CVMC Section 5.68.050 for all eligibility requirements.
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4. Term and Renewal
A. Term. STR Permits shall have a twelve (12) month term and shall expire on the last day of the
month (e.g., a Permit issued on July 15, 2022 shall expire on July 31, 2023.)
B. Voluntary Cancellation. At any time during the twelve (12) month term of the STR Permit, the
Permittee may voluntarily cancel their Permit by notifying the Director of Development Services,
in writing, of their intent to cancel. There is no specific form of notice required.
To renew an STR Permit, file a renewal application and pay the renewal fee. Online renewals may be
completed by visiting https://chulavistaca.seamlessdocs.com/sc/formcenter/str_renewal.
C. Renewal. Applications for renewal must be filed no later than thirty (30) days prior to the
Expiration Date set forth on the Permit. Renewal applications must indicate any changes to the
information or requirements set forth in CVMC 5.68.070.
D. Renewal Fee. Applications for renewal must be accompanied by a renewal fee in the amount of
$175.00.
E. Completeness Review. The Director of Development Services (or designee) shall review each
application for renewal of a duly issued permit for completeness and accuracy before it is
accepted as being complete and officially filed.
F. Incomplete Renewal Application. In the event that the Director of Development Services
determines that an application for renewal is incomplete or fails to provide the information and
documentation required by the Ordinance, the Director of Development Services shall notify the
Permittee in writing, and the Permittee shall have thirty (30) calendar days (or longer as
authorized by the Director of Development Services) in which to submit needed supplemental
information or documentation as specified by the Director of Development Services. The City
reserves the right to request additional information and documentation from a Permittee
regarding an application for renewal of an STR Permit and to accept responses to requests for
supplemental information or documentation. Failure to submit the required information within
the 30-day period may be cause for denial of the renewal.
G. On-Site Inspection. The Director of Development Services may require an on-site inspection of
the property to be performed by an Enforcement Officer during daytime business hours before
confirming that the application complies with all the applicable criteria and provisions of the
Ordinance.
H. Conditions of Approval. As a part of the approval of a renewal application, the Director of
Development Services may impose such conditions in connection with the permit as they deem
reasonably necessary in order to fulfill the purposes of the Ordinance and may require reasonable
guarantees and evidence that such conditions will be satisfied.
I. Denial. If an application for renewal of a duly issued STR Permit is denied, the Director of
Development Services shall notify the Permittee in writing of the determination. The notice will
set forth the reasons for denial and the procedures for an appeal of the determination.
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J. Appeal. The Director of Development Services’ determination on the issuance or denial of an STR
Permit renewal may be appealed in accordance with the appeal procedures of CVMC 5.68.180
and Section 18.
See CVMC Sections 5.68.080 and 5.68.100 for all renewal requirements and term information.
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5. STR Categories (Whole-Home, Partial-Home, Primary Residence, and
Non-Primary Residence)
A. Whole-Home STR. The rental of the entirety of an STR Unit while the Permittee is not physically
present and residing in the unit is considered a Whole-Home STR.
B. Partial-Home STR. The rental of any portion of an STR Unit while the Permittee is physically
present and residing in the unit is considered a Partial-Home STR.
C. Applicability to STR Properties with Multiple Habitable Structures. The rental of an ADU or JADU,
or any other accessory habitable structure that is not a Primary Residence is considered a Partial-
Home STR if the Owner or a Long-Term Tenant is physically present and residing in at least one of
the Dwelling Units on the STR Property during the rental period. If the Owner or Long-Term Tenant
is not physically present and residing in at least one of the Dwelling Units on the STR Property
during the rental period, this is considered a Whole-Home STR.
D. Limits on Days per Year, Primary Residence STR. Whole-Home Rental of a Primary-Residence STR
is limited to a maximum of 90 days per year. There is no limit on the number of days per year that
a Primary Residence STR may be partially rented.
E. Limit on Days per Year, Non-Primary Residence STR. There is no limit on the number of days per
year that a Non-Primary Residence STR may be rented (whether Whole-Home Rental or Partial-
Home).
F. Minimum Stay, Primary Residence STR. There is no minimum stay required for Primary Residence
STRs.
G. Minimum Stay, Non-Primary Residence STR. There is a two-consecutive night minimum stay
required for the Whole-Home rental of a Non-Primary Residence STR. There is no minimum stay
required for Partial-Home rental of a Non-Primary Residence STR.
The following examples are provided to illustrate the applicability of these rules.
Example 1: Duplex Dwelling Unit, Both Units Occupied
Resident A owns a duplex and resides in one unit. Resident B is a long-term tenant that resides in the other
unit.
Both units function independently as a primary residence, for purposes of the Ordinance. Resident A can
apply for an STR Permit for their unit, and Resident B can also apply for an STR Permit for their unit, with
Resident A’s written approval.
Each unit may each be rented as a Whole-Home STR for up to 90 days per year. There is no limit on the
number of days that each unit can be rented as a Partial-Home STR. There is no minimum stay for either
unit.
Example 2: Single-Family with a Pre-2020 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Resident C owns and resides in a single-family home. There is one ADU on the property that was
constructed in 2005. The ADU is not occupied by a long-term tenant.
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Resident C can apply for STR Permits for both the single-family residence and the ADU (each would require
its own permit).
The entirety of the property (the single-family residence + the ADU) may be rented as a Whole-Home STR
for up to 90 days per year. There is no limit on the number of days per year that each unit can be rented
as a Partial-Home STR. As long as Resident C resides in either the single-family residence or the ADU during
the Short-Term rental of the other unit, the rental is considered a Partial-Home STR.
There is no minimum stay for the single-family residence or the ADU.
Example 3: Multiple Properties
Resident D owns two single-family properties in Chula Vista. Property 1 includes a single-family dwelling
and an ADU constructed in 2005. Property 2 includes a single-family dwelling. Resident D resides in the
single-family dwelling on Property 1.
Resident D can apply for STR Permits for both single-family residences and the ADU (each would require
its own permit).
Property 1 (Primary Residence): The entirety of the property (the single-family residence + the ADU) may
be rented as a Whole-Home STR for up to 90 days per year. There is no limit on the number of days per
year that each unit can be rented as a Partial-Home STR. As long as Resident D resides in either the single-
family residence or the ADU during the Short-Term rental of the other unit, the rental is considered a
Partial-Home STR.
There is no minimum stay for the single-family residence or the ADU.
Property 2 (Non-Primary Residence):
There is no limit on the number of days per year the single-family dwelling can be rented as a Whole-
Home STR; however, rental as a Partial-Home STR is limited to 90 days per year. Partial-Home STR also
requires Resident D to be physically present and residing in Property 2 during the rental period.
If rented as a Whole-Home STR, a two-consecutive night minimum stay is required. There is no minimum
stay if rented as a Partial-Home STR.
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6. Operating Rules & Requirements: General
A. Insurance. Permittees shall maintain liability insurance appropriate to cover the STR use in the
aggregate of not less than $1,000,000. Alternatively, Permittees may conduct all STR transactions
through a Hosting Platform that provides equal or greater insurance coverage.
B. Advertising. All advertising appearing in any written publication or any website that promotes the
availability or existence of an STR must include the City’s issued STR Permit number.
C. Signage. STR Properties must comply with all signage restrictions and requirements applicable to
the zone they are located in.
D. Display of Business License. The City issued Business License (or a copy) must be prominently
displayed in a visible interior location of the STR Property during rental periods. It is required to
present the Business License upon request of any police officer, firefighter, fire marshal, code
enforcement officer, or designee of the City’s Finance Director.
E. Display of STR Permit. The City issued STR Permit (or a copy) must be prominently displayed in a
visible interior location of each STR Unit during rental periods. It is required to present the STR
Permit upon request of any police officer, firefighter, fire marshal, code enforcement officer, or
designee of the City’s Development Services Director.
F. Display of Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines. Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines, as outlined in
Section 7, Paragraph B (Operating Rules & Requirements: Good Neighbor Rules), must be
prominently displayed in a visible interior location in close proximity to an entry point of each STR
Unit during rental periods.
G. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). All STRs are subject to the City’s TOT, as required by CVMC
Chapter 3.40.
H. Receipts to be Maintained. The Permittee shall maintain the amounts and sources of gross
receipts, including but not limited to Rent and TOT paid for each stay.
I. Occupancy Limits. A maximum of two persons per bedroom, plus two additional persons, may
occupy each STR Unit at any given time. In no event shall the occupancy exceed ten (10) persons.
Children under the age of twelve (12) do not count toward the maximum occupancy. If the STR
Permit limits occupancy to a number less than the number calculated per this section, the limit in
the STR Permit applies.
J. No Large Events. STR Units and STR Properties shall not be used for large-scale events exceeding
the maximum allowed occupancy per Section H above, unless an STR Event Permit has been
issued. STR Event Permits do not increase the maximum occupancy for lodging purposes.
K. Update Changed Information. If any change occurs in any facts that were set forth in the initial
application or renewal request, the Permittee shall notify the City of the change immediately. In
no case shall this notification occur later than fourteen (14) calendar days after the change
occurred.
L. Responsible Person. A Responsible Person at least twenty-one (21) years of age and an Occupant
of the STR during the term of the rental must enter into the written STR rental agreement (see
Section 9 for additional rental agreement requirements). The Responsible Person is legally
responsible for ensuring that all occupants of the STR Unit comply with all applicable laws, rules,
and regulations pertaining to the use and occupancy of the STR Unit and may be held liable for
any violation of applicable laws, rules, and regulations set forth in the Ordinance.
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M. Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. It is the responsibility of the Permittee to investigate,
verify with the relevant homeowners’ association or maintenance organization, and determine
that the use of a Dwelling as an STR does not violate any applicable covenants, conditions, and
restrictions or any of the regulations or rules of the homeowners’ association or maintenance
organization having jurisdiction in connection with the STR Property. Notwithstanding the City’s
issuance of an STR Permit, the City shall not have any obligation or be responsible for making a
determination regarding whether or not the issuance of an STR Permit or the use of a Dwelling as
an STR is permitted under any covenants, conditions and restrictions or any of the regulations or
rules of the homeowners’ association or maintenance organization having jurisdiction in
connection with the STR Property, and the City shall have no enforcement obligations in
connection with such covenants, conditions and restrictions or such regulations or rules.
N. Garages. Unless the garage of the Dwelling has been included in the calculation of the number of
available off-street parking spaces pursuant to the Ordinance, a garage may be used by the
Permittee and Occupants of an STR as a game room; provided, however, that:
i. no couches or other furniture designed for use as, or conducive to, sleeping
accommodations shall be located inside a garage;
ii. no independent living accommodations and facilities (including provisions for living,
sleeping, eating, cooking, or sanitation) shall be located inside a garage;
iii. the garage door must be kept closed and the Director of Development Services may
require soundproofing of the garage as a condition of permit issuance on the basis of
substantiated complaints of noise emanating from the garage;
iv. a garage may not be used at any time for sleeping purposes; and
v. a garage may not be permanently modified to preclude its future use for the parking of
vehicles.
O. Inspections. Consistent with applicable law, the City shall have the authority to conduct random
inspections of STR Properties and STR Units as the Director of Development Services deems
necessary or prudent to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Ordinance, including
without limitation, based upon any complaints or violations that occur or prior to a renewal of a
permit.
P. Additional Conditions. The Director of Development Services shall have the authority at any time
to impose additional conditions on the use of any STR Unit or STR Property to ensure that any
potential secondary effects unique to the subject STR Unit or STR Property are avoided or
adequately mitigated.
Q. Hardships. The Director of Development Services is authorized to modify the standard conditions
upon request of an Applicant, Permittee, or their Agent, based on site-specific circumstances for
the purpose of allowing accommodation of an STR Unit. All requests must be in writing and shall
identify how the strict application of one or more of the standard conditions creates an actual and
unreasonable hardship to a property such that, if the requirement is not modified, reasonable use
of the property for an STR would not be allowed. Any hardships identified must relate to physical
constraints to the STR Property and shall not be self-induced or economic. Any modifications of
the standard conditions shall not further exacerbate an already existing problem. An Applicant or
Permittee may be required to provide such other supplemental information as may be requested
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by the Director of Development Services. The Director of Development Services shall only allow
modifications which are consistent with the purpose and intent of the Ordinance.
R. Inspections. Each Permittee, Agent, or representative of any Owner shall: (1) provide to the
Director of Development Services such records relating to the use and occupancy of the STR Unit,
and (2) cooperate in the conduct of inspections of the STR Unit, as may be reasonably requested
by the Director of Development Services, to determine that the objectives and conditions of the
Ordinance are met.
See CVMC Section 5.68.110 for all operational requirements. See CVMC Section 5.68.140 for all audit
inspection requirements.
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7. Operating Rules & Requirements: Good Neighbor Rules
A. Local Contact Person Available. While an STR unit is rented, the Permittee, the Permittee’s Agent,
and/or a designated Local Contact Person (the “local contact”) must be available 24 hours per
day, seven days per week to respond to complaints from the renter and/or the public regarding
the use, condition, operation, or conduct of occupants of the STR unit. The local contact must be
on the premises of the STR at the request of a Code Enforcement Officer or the City’s Police
Department within 1 hour of contact. The local contact is expected to correct or take remedial
actions that may be necessary to resolve any complaint, alleged nuisance, or other violation of
the Ordinance by occupants occurring at the STR Property.
B. Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines. Each STR shall post Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines inside the
permitted premises near an entry door. The Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines shall be in a form
authorized by the Director of Development Services. The Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines shall,
at a minimum, provide information that is consistent with the requirements and prohibitions
relating to parking restrictions, occupancy limitations, trash and debris requirements, and quiet
hours, in accordance with CVMC Section 5.68.110(H).
C. Good Neighbor Owner Handout. Within ten (10) calendar days of the issuance, renewal, or
transfer of an STR permit, the Permittee shall mail or personally deliver in writing a Good Neighbor
Owner Handout to the owners and occupants of properties located on all sides and directly across
the street (including alleys or other rights-of-way) from the STR Property. The Good Neighbor
Owner Handout shall be in a form authorized by the Director of Development Services. A
certification of the distribution of the Good Neighbor Owner Handout shall be submitted to the
Development Services Department within thirty (30) days of the issuance/renewal/transfer. If at
any time during the STR permit period, the Permittee or Local Contact Person information in the
Good Neighbor Owner Handout changes, the Permittee shall promptly provide an updated Good
Neighbor Owner Handout (following the previously described process, including submitting a
certification to the Director of Development Services).
D. Off-Street Parking. Off-street parking shall not include the use of landscaped areas, any private
or public sidewalk, parkway, walkway, or alley (or any portion thereof). The term sidewalk
includes the portion of the public right-of-way that is delineated for pedestrian travel, including
where it crosses a driveway. Off-street parking spaces may be in tandem to other off-site parking
spaces, or in any other on-site location and/or configuration as may be approved by the Director
of Development Services. If a garage is included in the determination of available off-street
parking spaces for the STR, access to the garage for parking purposes must be provided by the
Permittee.
E. On-Street Parking. A maximum of one (1) on-street parking space may be used by each STR
property. If the STR is located in a permit parking district, the Permittee may purchase one parking
permit or placard from the City, to be used by STR guests. If a permit or placard is required, it
must be visibly displayed inside the vehicle of the STR occupant.
F. No Recreational Vehicles. During the time that an STR Property is being rented, no recreational
vehicle or other vehicle used or designed for use as lodging or sleeping accommodations, bus,
boat, trailer, camper, cargo container, or personal watercraft may be parked at or on the STR
Property, unless 1) it belongs to the Permittee; 2) the Permittee is also physically occupying the
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STR Property during that period; 3) the vehicle is not being used by STR Occupants; and 4) in the
case of an RV, a valid RV parking permit has been secured for the vehicle.
G. Duty to Minimize Noise, Disturbance, and Disorderly Conduct. The Permittee, Permittee’s Agent,
and Local Contact Person, as applicable, shall use reasonably prudent business practices to ensure
that the Occupants of an STR Unit do not create unreasonable noise or disturbances, engage in
disorderly conduct, or violate any applicable law, rule or regulation pertaining to the use and
occupancy of the STR Unit. This includes, without limitation, violation of CVMC Section 17.24.040
or Chapter 19.68.
H. Quiet Time from 10:00 pm to 9:00 am. The hours between 10:00 pm and 9:00 am are “quiet
time”. No outdoor activity shall disturb the peace and quiet of the neighborhood adjacent to an
STR Property or cause discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitivity
residing in the area. It is a major violation of the Ordinance if any STR Occupants engage in outdoor
activities during quiet time that involve the use of fire pits, barbecues, swimming pools, hot tubs,
spas, tennis courts, paddleball courts, or other similar and related improvements or play
equipment. It is also a major violation of the Ordinance if STR Occupants engage in outdoor
parties, outdoor singing, shouting, clapping or other activities generally associated with partying
or engage in outdoor drunk or disorderly conduct during quiet time. Any other outdoor conduct
during quiet time that disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood adjacent to an STR
Property or causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitivity is a
minor violation of the Ordinance. It is not a violation of the Ordinance for an Occupant to merely
be outdoors during quiet time hours, so long as there is no conduct that disturbs the peace and
quiet of the neighborhood or causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal
sensitivity residing in the area. Notice of quiet time shall be posted near all doors leading to the
exterior of the STR Unit. The notice shall be in a form acceptable to the Director of Development
Services.
I. Trash and Debris. Trash and refuse shall not be stored within public view, except in proper
containers for the purpose of collection between the hours of 5 pm the day before and 12
midnight the day of scheduled trash collection. The Permittee shall provide sufficient trash
collection containers and service to meet the demands of the Occupants. The STR Property shall
be free of debris both on site and in the adjacent portion of the site.
See CVMC Section 5.68.110 for all operational requirements.
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8. Operating Rules & Requirements: Guest Safety Requirements
A. The property address must be visible from the street and in contrasting colors.
B. Smoke alarms must be installed in all habitable areas except the kitchen, in accordance with the
Chula Vista Building Code.
C. At least one 2A:10BC-rated portable fire extinguisher must be installed in plain sight and within
each reach on each floor of the STR. The fire extinguisher must be fully charged and operable at
all times.
D. One or more carbon monoxide devices that meet the standards of Section 13262 of the California
Health and Safety Code must be installed in common stairways and hallways. The devices must
be tested and maintained properly.
E. Exterior gates leading to and from the front, side, and/or back yards shall not be padlocked.
F. Hallway doors and exit doors shall not be obstructed or otherwise prohibited from fully opening.
G. No double-keyed dead bolt locks may be installed on exit doors.
H. If the home has a swimming pool (as defined in the adopted California Building Code) gates and
other safety devices that conform to the specifications and requirements of the adopted
California Building Code must be employed.
I. Operable emergency escape and rescue openings must be provided in accordance with the
adopted California Building Codes. Specifically, basements, habitable attics, and all sleeping
rooms shall have at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening. Emergency escape
and rescue openings shall open directly into a public right-of-way, or to a yard or court that opens
to a public right-of-way.
J. Garages may not be used at any time for sleeping purposes and no independent living
accommodations and facilities (including provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, or
sanitation) shall be located inside a garage.
K. The use and sale of pyrotechnic devices, dangerous fireworks, and “safe and sane” fireworks are
prohibited.
See CVMC Section 5.68.110 for all operational requirements.
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9. Operating Rules & Requirements: Written Rental Agreement
For each separate rental occasion, the Permittee or the Permittee’s Agent shall enter into a written rental
agreement with a Responsible Person. This agreement shall be entered into prior to occupancy and shall
establish and set out the terms and conditions of the rental and require the Responsible Person to:
A. Provide his or her name, age, address, driver’s license number or passport number;
B. Provide the vehicle license number for any car to be parked on the street (limit of 1 per rental);
C. Agree to be accessible to the Permittee, the Permittee’s Agent, and the Local Contact Person (if
any) by telephone at all times;
D. Acknowledge his or her understanding of all City of Chula Vista STR rules; and
E. Agree that they are liable for any fines incurred by Occupants and legally responsible for
compliance by all Occupants of the STR Unit with all provisions of the Ordinance and the CVMC.
The written rental agreement shall also include the following terms, notifications, and disclosures.
F. The maximum number of Occupants that are permitted and notification that failure to conform
to the maximum occupancy is a violation of the Ordinance.
G. The number of off-street parking spaces provided on the STR Property and the maximum number
of vehicles that are permitted, along with the number of available permits for parking on the
public street (if any, maximum of one), with the requirement to display such permits in the
vehicles, and a summary of all applicable parking rules.
H. The trash pick-up day(s) and applicable rules and regulations pertaining to leaving or storing trash
on the exterior of the STR Property.
I. Notification that Occupants may be cited or fined by the City and/or that the Permittee or the
Permittee’s Agent has the right to immediately terminate the rental agreement and immediately
evict the Responsible Person and all Occupants upon any violation of the Ordinance or the CVMC
by any Occupant.
J. The name of the Permittee’s Agent and the name of the Local Contact Person (if any) and a
telephone number at which those Persons may be reached at all times and 9-1-1 emergency
information.
K. A clear and conspicuous statement that Occupants must obey the requirements set forth in the
Ordinance even if these requirements are stricter than the applicable covenants, conditions and
restrictions or other rules or regulations of the governing body of any homeowners’ association
or maintenance organization having jurisdiction over the STR Property.
L. A summary of any applicable covenants, conditions and restrictions and rules and regulations,
including pool location and hours, of the governing body of any homeowners’ or maintenance
association having jurisdiction over the STR Property.
M. A copy of the Ordinance, as may be amended from time to time.
A copy of the rental agreement shall be provided to each Occupant and shall be readily available to review
upon inspections conducted by any Code Enforcement Officer or Police Officer.
See CVMC Section 5.68.110 for all operational requirements.
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10. Transfers
A. Within 14 calendar days of a change of ownership or long-term tenancy of an STR Property, the
new Owner or Long-Term Tenant or their Agent shall submit to the Director of Development
Services an application for a transfer of an STR Permit, if they wish to continue to operate the STR
Unit. The application shall be accompanied by the payment of such fee or fees as presently
designated, or as may be in the future amended, in the master fee schedule of the City. Such
application shall contain all the information set forth in Section 2.
B. If a timely and complete transfer application is submitted, and the STR Permit is valid and in effect
prior to its Expiration Date, then the STR Permit shall be extended until the date a determination
is made by the Director of Development Services to approve or deny the transfer application.
C. No purchaser of the real property upon which a permitted STR is located shall operate an STR
under a previous Permittee’s STR Permit if a completed transfer application is not submitted
within the 14-day period specified above. Failure to submit the required complete application
within the 14-day period may be cause for denial.
D. Any building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire, health, police or code enforcement matter
involving a risk to public or private health or safety, including any notices of violation, notices to
cure, orders of abatement, cease and desist orders, or correction notices, may be cause for denial
of an application for a transfer of an STR Permit if not cured within a reasonable period of time,
not to exceed 30 calendar days, after the date on a notice from the Director of Development
Services to the Owner or Long-Term Tenant to do so, unless a further extension is granted in
writing by the Director of Development Services.
E. No Person shall transfer or attempt to transfer an STR Permit to any other Person, except as
authorized by the Ordinance. Any such attempt shall be void and constitute a violation of the
Ordinance.
F. No Person shall convey or attempt to convey an STR Permit from one property to another
property. Any attempt to convey an STR Permit from one property to another property shall be
void and constitute a violation of the Ordinance.
See CVMC Section 5.68.090 for all permit transfer requirements.
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11. Short-Term Rental Event Permits
A. Event Permit Required. If you would like to host a large-scale event at an STR Unit or STR Property
that exceeds the maximum occupancy allowed pursuant to CVMC 5.68.110, you must first secure
a Short-Term Rental Event Permit (“STR Event Permit”). Large-scale events requiring an STR Event
Permit include, but are not limited to, commercial parties, weddings, fundraisers, conferences,
and other similar assemblies that are separate from the purpose of lodging. STR Event Permits
are only required if you are charging a fee for the use of the STR Property (Rent). Hosting an event
for yourself, a family member, etc., that is not in exchange for a fee does not require an STR Event
Permit.
B. Term. Each STR Event Permit will have a maximum term of twelve (12) hours. If your event will
run for more than twelve (12) hours, you must apply for additional permits sufficient to cover the
full term of your event.
C. Permits Limited. Each permitted STR Unit is eligible for a maximum of twelve (12) STR Event
Permits per term (each twelve (12) month period).
D. Lodging Purposes Excluded. STR Event Permits do not increase the maximum occupancy for
lodging purposes.
To apply for an STR Event Permit, submit an STR Event Permit application and pay the STR Event Permit
fee. Online applications may be completed by visiting
https://chulavistaca.seamlessdocs.com/sc/formcenter/str_event.
E. Eligibility. You must have a valid STR Permit in order to apply for an STR Event Permit.
F. STR Event Permit Fee. Each application for an STR Event Permit must be accompanied by a fee in
the amount of $40.00.
See CVMC 5.68.120 for all STR Event Permit regulations.
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12. Hosting Platform Responsibilities
A. Take Down Notice. Upon written or electronic notification from the City that the City has not
issued a permit for an STR which is listed or advertised on the internet website provided or
maintained by a Hosting Platform, the Hosting Platform shall discontinue and remove the listing
or advertisement within 10 calendar days from the transmittal date of the notification. The
Hosting Platform thereafter shall not list or advertise the STR without written certification from
the City that the required permit has been issued.
B. Information to Be Provided to Responsible Person. A Hosting Platform operating in the City shall
provide the following information to any Person listing a Dwelling Unit through the Hosting
Platform’s service:
i. Notice of the requirements listed in the Ordinance, including the requirement to obtain a
business license and STR Permit prior to any listing;
ii. Notice of the TOT requirements (Chapter 3.40 CMVC).
Upon request by the City, a Hosting Platform shall provide documentation to the City
demonstrating that the Hosting Platform provided the required notification. Hosting
Platform’s failure to provide written notification shall not excuse any Person from
complying with any local regulations.
C. TOT Collection Responsibilities. The Hosting Platform shall collect all required TOT (Chapter 3.40
CMVC) on accommodation transactions facilitated by the Hosting Platform and shall remit the
taxes on a monthly basis to the City with the completion of a form approved by the City. A Hosting
Platform collecting and remitting transient occupancy taxes under this section shall issue a receipt
to each Responsible Person. The Hosting Platform shall separately state on the receipt the amount
of the transient occupancy tax charged and maintain a duplicate of such receipt. A Hosting
Platform shall maintain all documentation necessary to demonstrate that the proper amount of
taxes have been remitted to the City for a period of four years after the date of remittance.
D. Information to Be Collected and Provided to City. Subject to applicable law, a Hosting Platform
with listings located in the City shall provide to the City on a monthly basis, in a format specified
by the City, the STR Permit number of each listing, the name of the Person responsible for each
listing, the address of each such listing, and, for each booking that occurs within the reporting
period, the number of days booked, whether the booking was for a Whole-Home STR or a Partial-
Home STR, and the total price paid for each rental.
A Hosting Platform shall maintain, to the extent received from the Person responsible for the
listing, the following information for each Dwelling Unit in the City for which the Hosting Platform
provided a booking service for a period of four years from the date of the transaction:
i. The first and last name of the Person who offered the STR;
ii. The exact street address of the Dwelling Unit, including any unit numbers;
iii. The dates for which a Responsible Person procured occupancy of the Dwelling Unit
using the booking service provided by the Hosting Platform, and the total number of
room nights by reporting period by Owner;
iv. The gross receipts, including but not limited to Rent and TOT, paid for each stay in a
format required by the City; and
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v. The City STR Permit number and the City TOT Certificate number associated with the
STR.
A Hosting Platform shall deliver the foregoing information to the City upon request. The City may
apply auditing procedures necessary to determine the amount of taxes due to the City and to
ensure compliance with the Ordinance.
E. Conformance to Law. The provisions of this section shall be interpreted in accordance with
otherwise applicable state and federal law(s) and will not apply if determined by the City to be in
violation of any such law(s).
See CVMC 5.68.150 for all Hosting Platform responsibilities.
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13. Violations: Major
A “major violation” of the Ordinance consists of any of the following:
A. Operating an STR without securing an STR Permit;
B. Exceeding STR Unit occupancy limitations without securing an STR Event Permit;
C. Any Occupants engaging in outdoor activities on an STR Property between the hours of 10:00 p.m.
and 9:00 a.m. that involve the use of fire pits, barbecues, swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, tennis
or paddleball courts, or other similar and related improvements or play equipment, or if any
Occupants engage in outdoor parties, outdoor singing, shouting, clapping or other activities
generally associated with partying or if Occupants engage in any outdoor drunk or disorderly
conduct during those hours;
D. The Permittee, the Permittee’s Agent and/or the Local Contact Person, failing to respond to an
Enforcement Officer’s request, respond within one hour, or to reasonably cooperate in facilitating
an investigation and the correction of a suspected violation of the Ordinance;
E. The unpermitted use of a garage as a game room or for sleeping purposes at an STR Unit or on an
STR Property;
F. Criminal activities by the Permittee, Permittee’s Agent, the Local Contact Person, or any Occupant
on the premises; however, a minor violation shall not be deemed a criminal activity for purposes
of constituting a major violation merely because any violation of the Ordinance may constitute a
misdemeanor or a public nuisance;
G. Any other violation of the Ordinance determined by the City Manager to constitute a serious
threat to the public health or safety of the community; or
H. Four minor violations of any type in connection with the same STR Unit or STR Property during
any continuous period of 12 months.
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14. Violations: Minor
A “minor violation” of the Ordinance consists of any of the following:
A. A failure of the Permittee to obtain the signature of the Responsible Person acknowledging the
rules;
B. A failure to pay TOT required for the STR;
C. A failure to register to pay TOT for the STR; or
D. Any violation of any law, ordinance, resolution, or permit condition regulating STR Units or STR
Properties or any other provisions of federal, state, or local law that does not constitute a “major
violation”.
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15. Penalties: General
A. It is unlawful for any Person to violate any provision or fail to comply with the requirements of
the Ordinance or any regulation adopted thereunder. Each day that a violation continues is
deemed to be a new and separate offense.
B. Any Person violating any of the provisions or failing to comply with any of the requirements of the
Ordinance or any regulation adopted thereunder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by
a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a period of not more than six months, or by
both a fine and imprisonment. No proof of knowledge, intent, or other mental state is required
to establish a violation. At the sole discretion of the City Prosecutor, any violation of the Ordinance
may in the alternative be cited and prosecuted as an infraction.
C. Any condition caused or allowed to exist in violation of any of the provisions of the Ordinance or
any regulation adopted thereunder is a public nuisance. Such violation may be abated by the City,
or by the City Attorney on behalf of the people of the state of California, as a nuisance in any
manner provided for in the CVMC, including summary abatement, or otherwise provided by law
or equity, including a restraining order, injunction, or any other order or judgment in law or equity
issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. The City, or the City Attorney on behalf of the people
of the state of California, may seek injunctive relief to enjoin violations of, or to compel
compliance with, the Ordinance or seek any other relief or remedy available at law or equity,
including the imposition of monetary civil penalties. All expenses incurred by the City in
connection with any action to abate a public nuisance will be chargeable as authorized by law to
the Persons creating, causing, committing, or maintaining the public nuisance.
D. An Enforcement Officer may issue administrative citations or civil penalties in accordance with
CVMC Chapter 1.41 for violation of any of the provisions of the Ordinance or any regulation
adopted thereunder. When a violation occurs, it is not required that a warning or notice to cure
must first be given before an administrative citation or civil penalty may be issued. Any r eport
where the City’s Police Department has concluded that a violation of the Ordinance has occurred
may be submitted to the Director of Development Services for review, processing and issuance of
an administrative citation or civil penalty by an Enforcement Officer.
E. Each criminal citation, administrative citation, and civil penalty issued for a violation of any
provision of the Ordinance may be issued, levied, or assessed against one or more of: the Owner,
the Permittee, the Permittee’s Agent, a Hosting Platform, the Responsible Party, the Occupant,
and any other Person who caused, created, committed, or maintained the violation.
F. A violation of any provision of the Ordinance by any Permittee, Permittee’s Agent, Local Contact
Person, Responsible Person or Occupant of an STR shall constitute grounds for modification of the
STR Permit.
G. The Director of Development Services may suspend or revoke an STR Permit if any three major
violations are issued in connection with the same STR Property within a continuous period of 12
months, including major violations that result from aggregating minor violations into a major
violation as described in CVMC Section 5.68.160(I)(1)(h). A change of Ownership shall have no
effect on the accumulation of violations against the STR Property.
H. When a violation occurs, it is not required that a warning or notice to cure must first be given in
order to impose the sanction of modification, suspension, or revocation of the STR Permit.
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I. Whenever in the Ordinance any act or omission is made unlawful, it shall include causing, aiding,
abetting, suffering, or concealing the fact of such act or omission.
J. The remedies specified in the Ordinance are cumulative and in addition to any other remedies
available under state or local law for violation of this code.
K. Nothing herein shall be construed as requiring the City to allow, permit, license, authorize or
otherwise regulate STR or Event activity, or as abridging the City’s police power with respect to
enforcement regarding STR or Event activity.
See CVMC 5.68.160 for all penalty information.
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16. Penalties: Amounts
A. The City may issue an administrative citation or civil penalty for any violation of the Ordinance as
follows:
i. First offense - not to exceed $100.00 for a minor offense and $1,000 for a major offense;
ii. Second offense within any continuous period of 12 consecutive months – not to exceed
$500.00 if the offense is a minor offense and $2,000 if the offense is a major offense;
iii. Third and fourth offenses within any continuous period of 12 consecutive months – not
to exceed $1,000 if the offense is a minor offense and $4,000 if the offense is a major
offense.
iv. Fifth and subsequent offenses within any continuous period of 12 consecutive months –
not to exceed $1,500 if the offense is a minor offense and not to exceed $5,000 if the
offense is a major offense.
B. Unless prohibited by any state or federal law, the City may issue a Hosting Platform an
administrative citation or civil penalty for any violation of the Ordinance or the CVMC by the
Hosting Platform as follows:
i. First offense – not to exceed $500.00;
ii. Second offense within any continuous period of 12 consecutive months – not to exceed
$1,000;
iii. Third and subsequent offenses within any continuous period of 12 consecutive months –
not to exceed $2,000.
See CVMC 5.68.160 for all penalty information.
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17. Permit Modifications, Suspensions, and Revocations
A. In addition to any other penalty authorized by law, an STR Permit may be modified, suspended,
or revoked for any violation of the Ordinance or federal, state, or local law in accordance with the
provisions of this section.
B. The Director of Development Services shall have the authority to modify an STR Permit to impose
additional conditions or amend existing terms or conditions in the event of any violation of any
condition of the permit or any violation of the Ordinance or federal, state, or local law.
C. Any modification of conditions or suspension or revocation of an STR Permit shall be in accordance
with the following procedures:
i. The Director of Development Services shall conduct an investigation whenever they have
reason to believe that an Owner, Permittee, Permittee’s Agent, or Local Contact Person
is in violation of, or has failed to comply with, any condition of the STR Permit, any
requirements of the Ordinance or federal, state, or local law.
ii. Should the investigation reveal substantial evidence to support a finding that a violation
occurred, the Director of Development Services shall issue a written notice of intention
to modify, suspend and/or revoke the permit. The written notice shall be served on the
Responsible Person, shall specify the facts which, in the opinion of the Director of
Development Services, constitute substantial evidence to establish grounds for
modification, suspension and/or revocation, and state that the permit will be modified,
suspended or revoked within 30 calendar days from the date the notice is given unless
the Owner or Person aggrieved by the Director of Development Services’ decision files
with the City Clerk, before the modification, suspension or revocation becomes effective,
a request for an administrative hearing to appeal the decision pursuant to the Ordinance
appeal procedures.
See CVMC 5.68.170 for all procedures for permit modifications, suspensions, and/or revocations.
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18. Appeal Procedures
A. Any affected Person may appeal a decision of the Development Services Director modifying,
denying, suspending, or revoking an STR Permit to the City Manager within 30 calendar days from
the date the notice is given.
B. Said appeal shall be in writing and filed with the City Clerk upon forms provided by the
Development Services Department and shall specify therein that the decision of the Development
Services Director was in error and identify the facts and circumstances on which the claim of error
is based.
C. If an appeal is filed within the time limit specified, it shall automatically stay proceedings in the
matter until a determination is made by the City Manager.
D. The City Manager shall set the matter for hearing before a hearing examiner and notify the parties
in writing of the date and location of the hearing at least 10 business days prior to said date.
E. The fee to request an appeal pursuant to the Ordinance shall be in the form of a deposit, the
amount to be determined by the City Manager in accordance with any applicable law based on
the anticipated staff cost to conduct the hearing.
F. If the cost of the hearing or appeal exceeds the deposited amount, the requesting party shall be
responsible for payment of the additional costs incurred.
G. If the hearing officer determines that the violation is not supported by the evidence, the entire
deposited amount will be returned to the party that requested the appeal. The appeal hearing
shall be conducted pursuant to CVMC Sections 1.30.090 and 1.30.100.
See CVMC 5.68.180 for all appeal procedures.
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19. Resources
A. Administrative Documents
1. Primary Residency Declaration
2. Landlord Affidavit
B. Online Resources
1. STR Permitting Portal
2. Register to Pay TOT
3. Remit TOT
4. Apply for a Business License
5. Renew a Business License
6. Apply for an RV Parking Permit
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES
Ordinance No. 2021-3514
Chula Vista Municipal Code Chapter 5.68
Development Services Department
Issued June 15, 2022
Amended August 1, 2022
Amended August 19, 2022
Amended October 17, 2022
Amended January 31, 2023
CONTENTS
1. Scope & Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 1
2. Short-Term Rental Permit Application ............................................................................................. 2
3. Eligibility ........................................................................................................................................... 6
4. Term and Renewal ........................................................................................................................... 7
5. STR Categories (Whole-Home, Partial-Home, Primary Residence, and Non-Primary Residence) .. 9
6. Operating Rules & Requirements: General ................................................................................... 11
7. Operating Rules & Requirements: Good Neighbor Rules .............................................................. 14
8. Operating Rules & Requirements: Guest Safety Requirements .................................................... 16
9. Operating Rules & Requirements: Written Rental Agreement ..................................................... 17
10. Transfers ........................................................................................................................................ 18
11. Short-Term Rental Event Permits .................................................................................................. 19
12. Hosting Platform Responsibilities .................................................................................................. 20
13. Violations: Major ............................................................................................................................ 22
14. Violations: Minor ........................................................................................................................... 23
15. Penalties: General .......................................................................................................................... 24
16. Penalties: Amounts ........................................................................................................................ 26
17. Permit Modifications, Suspensions, and Revocations ................................................................... 27
18. Appeal Procedures ......................................................................................................................... 28
19. Resources ....................................................................................................................................... 29
For additional information please contact:
Development Services Department
276 Fourth Avenue, Building B
Chula Vista, CA 91914
(619) 476-2332
www.chulavistaca.gov/str
complaints@chulavistaca.gov
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1. Scope & Purpose
These administrative guidelines (“Guidelines”) are promulgated by the Development Services Department
(“Department”) for the purposes of implementing the Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2021-
3514) (“Ordinance”) pursuant to Chula Vista Municipal Code (“CVMC”) Section 5.68.200(A).
These Guidelines reflect the City’s application of the Ordinance and provide detail on how property
owners, Permittees, and Hosting Platforms can comply with the Ordinance to ensure that all Short-Term
Rental Units (“STR Units”) are lawfully registered, permitted, and operated as Short-Term Rentals
(“STRs”). For full regulations and requirements please refer to Ordinance 2021-3514 and CVMC Chapter
5.68.
Capitalized terms, words, and phrases shall be as defined in the Ordinance, unless otherwise defined in
the Guidelines.
The Guidelines may be amended from time to time by the Department. You may contact the Department
to confirm you are viewing the current version of the Guidelines.
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2. Short-Term Rental Permit Application
Chula Vista residents may each operate a maximum of one (1) Primary Residence STR and one (1) Non-
Primary Residence STR.
Residents may apply for an STR permit (“STR Permit”) at any time on or after June 1, 2022. The City will
begin enforcement of the permit requirement on July 1, 2022.
To apply for an STR Permit, file an application and pay the application fee. Online applications may be
completed by visiting https://citizenaccess.chulavistaca.gov/citizenaccess and selecting the Licenses tab.
The following documents and information must be provided and/or agreed upon as part of the application
process:
A. STR Address. Identification of the street address where the STR Unit is located.
B. Applicant’s Identification and Primary Residency Documentation. Verification of the Applicant’s
identity and the Applicant’s Primary Residency. Identification shall include the legal name of the
Applicant. Clearly legible scans or photographs of the documents below shall be provided.
Personal information on these documents other than name and address should be concealed or
removed prior to submission.
i. Photo Identification. Required documentation includes a valid federal or state-issued
photo identification (“ID”), such as a driver’s license, state ID card, or passport. If the ID
shows an address that matches the declared primary residence, then only one of the
additional Primary Residency documents (listed below) are required. If the ID does not
show an address that matches the declared primary residence, then two of the following
Primary Residency documents must be provided. Please note, utility bills are not
acceptable documentation of primary residency if your ID address does not match the
declared primary residence.
ii. Primary Residency. Either one or two (see above) of the following documents with the
Applicant’s full name and address of the declared primary residence are required to
establish primary residency.
i. A valid California motor vehicle registration certificate showing name and home
address;
ii. A valid California voter’s registration card or a voter registration status document
showing name and home address (may be obtained online at
https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov and printed to save as a portable document
formatted “.pdf” file);
iii. A copy of a current property tax bill indicating homeowner’s exemption;
iv. A utility bill issued in the last six (6) months showing name and home address. A
utility bill is only acceptable documentation if your ID address matches your
declared primary residence; or
v. Other documentation that, based on factors, circumstances or indications, is
reliable and trustworthy, as determined in the sole discretion of the Director of
Development Services (e.g., certain documents issued by a local, state, or U. S.
Government agency).
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iii. Primary Residency Affirmation. Declare Applicant’s place of primary residency within the
City of Chula Vista and affirm through a digitally signed declaration (accessible online)
that the Applicant will reside at the subject address for a minimum of two hundred and
seventy-five (275) days per calendar year.
C. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration. All Applicants must register to pay TOT with the City
of Chula Vista Finance Department pursuant to CVMC Section 3.40.060. TOT registration for STRs
is available through Host Compliance.
D. Business License. All Applicants must secure a business license with the City of Chula Vista Finance
Department pursuant to CVMC Chapter 5.02. Business license applications may be submitted to
the Finance Department online. If you are applying for a new business license, please select a
Business Type of either “Short Term Rental Operator (STR)” or “Short Term Rental Agent (STR)”.
For the business license SIC Code, please use whichever of the following is most appropriate for
your Short-Term Rental Unit:
• 6514001 - Operators Of Dwellings Other Than Apartment Buildings
• 7021005 - Rental Of Furnished Rooms
• 6531019 - Time-sharing Real Estate: Sales, Leasing, And Rentals
• 7011004 - Cabins And Cottages
E. Property Owner Approval. If the Applicant is a Long-Term Renter or lessee, an affidavit signed by
both the Applicant and the property Owner/landlord that approves the Applicant’s STR use of
that property. The affidavit must be on the exact form provided as Administrative Document A.1.
in the Resources Section (also accessible online), dated and notarized, and shall include the
names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of the Applicant, the property
Owner/landlord, and clearly identify the address and unit of the property being operated as an
STR. A landlord may proactively prohibit STR use by tenants at any or all of the Owner’s properties
by submitting a notification through the permitting portal.
F. Local Contact Person. Identification of a local responsible contact person. Contact information
shall include name, address, email address, and a phone number where the contact person can
be reached and be available to access the STR 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
G. Hosting Platforms Used for Listings. Identification of all Hosting Platforms that will be used to
advertise the STR Unit, including the specific URL for each listing, if applicable. If an Applicant has
not yet started listing, and therefore does not have a specific URL (web address), the Applicant
must provide this information to the City via the online permitting portal within 24 hours of listing
their property on any Hosting Platform.
H. Residential Building. Affirm through a digitally signed declaration that the STR will not occur in
any vehicle parked on the property, storage shed, trailer, temporary structure, or other structure
not built for residential use.
I. Occupancy Limits. A maximum of two persons per bedroom, plus two additional persons, may
occupy the STR Unit at any given time. In no event shall the occupancy exceed 10 persons.
Children under the age of 12 do not count toward the maximum occupancy. The Applicant shall
identify the number of habitable rooms and include a digitally signed declaration that they will
not advertise nor book any guest stays that exceed the maximum occupancy without first securing
a STR Event Permit. STR Event Permits do not increase the maximum occupancy for lodging
purposes.
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J. On-Site Parking Spaces. The Applicant shall identify the number of on-site parking spaces that will
be provided.
K. Safety Features. Affirm through a digitally signed declaration that the Applicant’s rental unit
meets the safety requirements of CVMC Section 5.68.110(F), including, but not limited to, working
fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detection devices.
L. Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines. Affirm through a digitally signed declaration that the Applicant
shall post Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines inside the premises near an entry door that includes
emergency contact information for the Applicant and the Local Contact Person (if different). The
Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines shall also provide information about parking restrictions,
restrictions on noise and amplified sound, and trash collection schedule.
M. Application Fee. Pay a non-refundable fee of $250 at the time of application.
N. General Compliance. Affirm through a digitally signed declaration that the Applicant has complied
with all STR requirements and verifying the authenticity and accuracy of provided documents and
information.
O. Completeness Review. The Director of Development Services (or designee) shall review each
application for completeness and accuracy before it is accepted as being complete and officially
filed.
P. Incomplete Application. In the event that the Director of Development Services determines that
an application is incomplete or fails to provide the information and documentation required by
the Ordinance, the Director of Development Services shall notify the Applicant in writing, and the
Applicant shall have 30 calendar days (or longer as authorized by the Director of Development
Services) in which to submit needed supplemental information or documentation as specified by
the Director of Development Services. The City reserves the right to request additional
information and documentation from an Applicant regarding an application for an STR Permit and
to accept responses to requests for supplemental information or documentation. Failure to
submit the required information within the 30-day period may be cause for denial of the STR
Permit.
Q. On-Site Inspection. The Director of Development Services may require an on-site inspection of
the property to be performed by an Enforcement Officer during daytime business hours before
confirming that the application complies with all the applicable criteria and provisions of the
Ordinance.
R. Conditions of Approval. As a part of the approval of an application, the Director of Development
Services may impose such conditions in connection with the permit as he or she deems reasonably
necessary in order to fulfill the purposes of the Ordinance and may require reasonable guarantees
and evidence that such conditions will be satisfied.
S. Bases for Denial. Pursuant to authority granted to the City Manager to establish additional
administrative rules, regulations and standards governing the issuance, denial or renewal of STR
Permits or STR Event Permits (CVMC Section 5.68.200(A)), the Director of Development Services
is authorized to deny an application and decline to issue a permit for any of the following reasons,
in his/her discretion.
i. Failure to meet the eligibility requirements.
ii. Failure to meet the conditions of permit issuance, including payment of the required fees.
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iii. Failure to resolve violations of applicable codes regarding fire, building and safety, health
and safety, and other relevant laws, regulations, and ordinances applicable to residential
uses and the underlying zone, as more fully described in CVMC Section 5.68.110(A).
iv. Determination that the Applicant has made a false, misleading, or fraudulent statement
or omission of fact in the application or in the application process.
v. Determination that the Applicant, Owner, or Agent has been adversely sanctioned, or
penalized by the City, or any other city, county, or state, for a violation of applicable laws
or regulations related to STR operations.
vi. Determination that the Applicant, Owner, or Agent has conducted, facilitated, caused,
aided, abetted, suffered, or concealed unlawful STR activity in the City or any other
jurisdiction.
T. Denial Process. If an application for an STR Permit is denied, the Director of Development Services
shall notify the Applicant in writing of the determination. The notice will set forth the reasons for
denial and the procedures for an appeal of the determination.
U. Appeal. The Director of Development Services’ determination on the issuance or denial of an STR
Permit application may be appealed in accordance with the appeal procedures of CVMC 5.68.180
and Section 18.
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3. Eligibility
Prior to issuing an STR Permit, the City will verify that the Short-Term Rental Property (“STR
Property”) and STR Unit meet the following eligibility requirements using City data sources.
A. Primary Residency. The Applicant’s Primary Residence must be located in the City of Chula Vista.
A person may have only one (1) Primary Residence and must reside there for a minimum of 275
days per calendar year. Primary Residency may be documented by providing at least two of the
following:
i. Motor vehicle registration
ii. Driver’s license
iii. Voter registration
iv. Tax documents showing the residential unit as the person’s residence
v. Utility bill (a maximum of one utility bill shall be accepted for purposes of this section)
B. Housing Restrictions. The STR Unit shall not be a deed-restricted affordable housing unit, in a
special group residence, or a single-room occupancy. Further, the STR Unit shall not be an
Accessory Dwelling Unit (“ADU”) or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (“JADU”) for which a
construction permit was applied for on or after January 1, 2020.
C. Long-Term Tenants. A Long-Term Tenant shall not operate an STR without the prior written
approval of the property Owner. Approval of the property Owner may be demonstrated through
submission of a “Landlord’s Authorization to Conduct Short-Term Rental” Affidavit (provided as
Administrative Document A.1. in the Resources Section (also accessible online).
D. Applicant Prior Revocation. The Applicant shall not have been subject to a STR Permit revocation
during the previous twenty-four (24) month period.
E. Property Prior Revocation. The STR Unit shall not have been subject to a STR Permit revocation
during the previous twenty-four (24) month period. The Director of Development Services may
consider 100% transfers in ownership of the Dwelling Unit in implementing this provision.
F. More than One Non-Primary Residence STR. An Applicant may not hold an STR Permit for more
than one (1) Non-Primary Residence STR at any given time.
See CVMC Section 5.68.050 for all eligibility requirements.
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4. Term and Renewal
A. Term. STR Permits shall have a twelve (12) month term and shall expire on the last day of the
month (e.g., a Permit issued on July 15, 2022 shall expire on July 31, 2023.)
B. Voluntary Cancellation. At any time during the twelve (12) month term of the STR Permit, the
Permittee may voluntarily cancel their Permit by notifying the Director of Development Services,
in writing, of their intent to cancel. There is no specific form of notice required.
To renew an STR Permit, file a renewal application and pay the renewal fee. Online renewals may be
completed by visiting https://citizenaccess.chulavistaca.gov/citizenaccess and selecting the Licenses tab.
C. Renewal. Applications for renewal must be filed no later than thirty (30) days prior to the
Expiration Date set forth on the Permit. Renewal applications must indicate any changes to the
information or requirements set forth in CVMC 5.68.070.
D. Renewal Fee. Applications for renewal must be accompanied by a renewal fee in the amount of
$175.00.
E. Completeness Review. The Director of Development Services (or designee) shall review each
application for renewal of a duly issued permit for completeness and accuracy before it is
accepted as being complete and officially filed.
F. Incomplete Renewal Application. In the event that the Director of Development Services
determines that an application for renewal is incomplete or fails to provide the information and
documentation required by the Ordinance, the Director of Development Services shall notify the
Permittee in writing, and the Permittee shall have thirty (30) calendar days (or longer as
authorized by the Director of Development Services) in which to submit needed supplemental
information or documentation as specified by the Director of Development Services. The City
reserves the right to request additional information and documentation from a Permittee
regarding an application for renewal of an STR Permit and to accept responses to requests for
supplemental information or documentation. Failure to submit the required information within
the 30-day period may be cause for denial of the renewal.
G. On-Site Inspection. The Director of Development Services may require an on-site inspection of
the property to be performed by an Enforcement Officer during daytime business hours before
confirming that the application complies with all the applicable criteria and provisions of the
Ordinance.
H. Conditions of Approval. As a part of the approval of a renewal application, the Director of
Development Services may impose such conditions in connection with the permit as they deem
reasonably necessary in order to fulfill the purposes of the Ordinance and may require reasonable
guarantees and evidence that such conditions will be satisfied.
I. Denial. If an application for renewal of a duly issued STR Permit is denied, the Director of
Development Services shall notify the Permittee in writing of the determination. The notice will
set forth the reasons for denial and the procedures for an appeal of the determination.
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J. Appeal. The Director of Development Services’ determination on the issuance or denial of an STR
Permit renewal may be appealed in accordance with the appeal procedures of CVMC 5.68.180
and Section 18.
See CVMC Sections 5.68.080 and 5.68.100 for all renewal requirements and term information.
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5. STR Categories (Whole-Home, Partial-Home, Primary Residence, and
Non-Primary Residence)
A. Whole-Home STR. The rental of the entirety of an STR Unit while the Permittee is not physically
present and residing in the unit is considered a Whole-Home STR.
B. Partial-Home STR. The rental of any portion of an STR Unit while the Permittee is physically
present and residing in the unit is considered a Partial-Home STR.
C. Applicability to STR Properties with Multiple Habitable Structures. The rental of an ADU or JADU,
or any other accessory habitable structure that is not a Primary Residence is considered a Partial-
Home STR if the Owner or a Long-Term Tenant is physically present and residing in at least one of
the Dwelling Units on the STR Property during the rental period. If the Owner or Long-Term Tenant
is not physically present and residing in at least one of the Dwelling Units on the STR Property
during the rental period, this is considered a Whole-Home STR.
D. Limits on Days per Year, Primary Residence STR. Whole-Home Rental of a Primary-Residence STR
is limited to a maximum of 90 days per year. There is no limit on the number of days per year that
a Primary Residence STR may be partially rented.
E. Limit on Days per Year, Non-Primary Residence STR. There is no limit on the number of days per
year that a Non-Primary Residence STR may be rented (whether Whole-Home Rental or Partial-
Home).
F. Minimum Stay, Primary Residence STR. There is no minimum stay required for Primary Residence
STRs.
G. Minimum Stay, Non-Primary Residence STR. There is a two-consecutive night minimum stay
required for the Whole-Home rental of a Non-Primary Residence STR. There is no minimum stay
required for Partial-Home rental of a Non-Primary Residence STR.
The following examples are provided to illustrate the applicability of these rules.
Example 1: Duplex Dwelling Unit, Both Units Occupied
Resident A owns a duplex and resides in one unit. Resident B is a long-term tenant that resides in the other
unit.
Both units function independently as a primary residence, for purposes of the Ordinance. Resident A can
apply for an STR Permit for their unit, and Resident B can also apply for an STR Permit for their unit, with
Resident A’s written approval.
Each unit may each be rented as a Whole-Home STR for up to 90 days per year. There is no limit on the
number of days that each unit can be rented as a Partial-Home STR. There is no minimum stay for either
unit.
Example 2: Single-Family with a Pre-2020 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Resident C owns and resides in a single-family home. There is one ADU on the property that was
constructed in 2005. The ADU is not occupied by a long-term tenant.
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Resident C can apply for STR Permits for both the single-family residence and the ADU (each would require
its own permit).
The entirety of the property (the single-family residence + the ADU) may be rented as a Whole-Home STR
for up to 90 days per year. There is no limit on the number of days per year that each unit can be rented
as a Partial-Home STR. As long as Resident C resides in either the single-family residence or the ADU during
the Short-Term rental of the other unit, the rental is considered a Partial-Home STR.
There is no minimum stay for the single-family residence or the ADU.
Example 3: Multiple Properties
Resident D owns two single-family properties in Chula Vista. Property 1 includes a single-family dwelling
and an ADU constructed in 2005. Property 2 includes a single-family dwelling. Resident D resides in the
single-family dwelling on Property 1.
Resident D can apply for STR Permits for both single-family residences and the ADU (each would require
its own permit).
Property 1 (Primary Residence): The entirety of the property (the single-family residence + the ADU) may
be rented as a Whole-Home STR for up to 90 days per year. There is no limit on the number of days per
year that each unit can be rented as a Partial-Home STR. As long as Resident D resides in either the single-
family residence or the ADU during the Short-Term rental of the other unit, the rental is considered a
Partial-Home STR.
There is no minimum stay for the single-family residence or the ADU.
Property 2 (Non-Primary Residence):
There is no limit on the number of days per year the single-family dwelling can be rented as a Whole-
Home STR; however, rental as a Partial-Home STR is limited to 90 days per year. Partial-Home STR also
requires Resident D to be physically present and residing in Property 2 during the rental period.
If rented as a Whole-Home STR, a two-consecutive night minimum stay is required. There is no minimum
stay if rented as a Partial-Home STR.
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6. Operating Rules & Requirements: General
A. Insurance. Permittees shall maintain liability insurance appropriate to cover the STR use in the
aggregate of not less than $1,000,000. Alternatively, Permittees may conduct all STR transactions
through a Hosting Platform that provides equal or greater insurance coverage.
B. Advertising. All advertising appearing in any written publication or any website that promotes the
availability or existence of an STR must include the City’s issued STR Permit number.
C. Signage. STR Properties must comply with all signage restrictions and requirements applicable to
the zone they are located in.
D. Display of Business License. The City issued Business License (or a copy) must be prominently
displayed in a visible interior location of the STR Property during rental periods. It is required to
present the Business License upon request of any police officer, firefighter, fire marshal, code
enforcement officer, or designee of the City’s Finance Director.
E. Display of STR Permit. The City issued STR Permit (or a copy) must be prominently displayed in a
visible interior location of each STR Unit during rental periods. It is required to present the STR
Permit upon request of any police officer, firefighter, fire marshal, code enforcement officer, or
designee of the City’s Development Services Director.
F. Display of Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines. Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines, as outlined in
Section 7, Paragraph B (Operating Rules & Requirements: Good Neighbor Rules), must be
prominently displayed in a visible interior location in close proximity to an entry point of each STR
Unit during rental periods.
G. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). All STRs are subject to the City’s TOT, as required by CVMC
Chapter 3.40.
H. Receipts to be Maintained. The Permittee shall maintain the amounts and sources of gross
receipts, including but not limited to Rent and TOT paid for each stay.
I. Occupancy Limits. A maximum of two persons per bedroom, plus two additional persons, may
occupy each STR Unit at any given time. In no event shall the occupancy exceed ten (10) persons.
Children under the age of twelve (12) do not count toward the maximum occupancy. If the STR
Permit limits occupancy to a number less than the number calculated per this section, the limit in
the STR Permit applies.
J. No Large Events. STR Units and STR Properties shall not be used for large-scale events exceeding
the maximum allowed occupancy per Section H above, unless an STR Event Permit has been
issued. STR Event Permits do not increase the maximum occupancy for lodging purposes.
K. Update Changed Information. If any change occurs in any facts that were set forth in the initial
application or renewal request, the Permittee shall notify the City of the change immediately. In
no case shall this notification occur later than fourteen (14) calendar days after the change
occurred.
L. Responsible Person. A Responsible Person at least twenty-one (21) years of age and an Occupant
of the STR during the term of the rental must enter into the written STR rental agreement (see
Section 9 for additional rental agreement requirements). The Responsible Person is legally
responsible for ensuring that all occupants of the STR Unit comply with all applicable laws, rules,
and regulations pertaining to the use and occupancy of the STR Unit and may be held liable for
any violation of applicable laws, rules, and regulations set forth in the Ordinance.
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M. Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. It is the responsibility of the Permittee to investigate,
verify with the relevant homeowners’ association or maintenance organization, and determine
that the use of a Dwelling as an STR does not violate any applicable covenants, conditions, and
restrictions or any of the regulations or rules of the homeowners’ association or maintenance
organization having jurisdiction in connection with the STR Property. Notwithstanding the City’s
issuance of an STR Permit, the City shall not have any obligation or be responsible for making a
determination regarding whether or not the issuance of an STR Permit or the use of a Dwelling as
an STR is permitted under any covenants, conditions and restrictions or any of the regulations or
rules of the homeowners’ association or maintenance organization having jurisdiction in
connection with the STR Property, and the City shall have no enforcement obligations in
connection with such covenants, conditions and restrictions or such regulations or rules.
N. Garages. Unless the garage of the Dwelling has been included in the calculation of the number of
available off-street parking spaces pursuant to the Ordinance, a garage may be used by the
Permittee and Occupants of an STR as a game room; provided, however, that:
i. no couches or other furniture designed for use as, or conducive to, sleeping
accommodations shall be located inside a garage;
ii. no independent living accommodations and facilities (including provisions for living,
sleeping, eating, cooking, or sanitation) shall be located inside a garage;
iii. the garage door must be kept closed and the Director of Development Services may
require soundproofing of the garage as a condition of permit issuance on the basis of
substantiated complaints of noise emanating from the garage;
iv. a garage may not be used at any time for sleeping purposes; and
v. a garage may not be permanently modified to preclude its future use for the parking of
vehicles.
O. Inspections. Consistent with applicable law, the City shall have the authority to conduct random
inspections of STR Properties and STR Units as the Director of Development Services deems
necessary or prudent to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Ordinance, including
without limitation, based upon any complaints or violations that occur or prior to a renewal of a
permit.
P. Additional Conditions. The Director of Development Services shall have the authority at any time
to impose additional conditions on the use of any STR Unit or STR Property to ensure that any
potential secondary effects unique to the subject STR Unit or STR Property are avoided or
adequately mitigated.
Q. Hardships. The Director of Development Services is authorized to modify the standard conditions
upon request of an Applicant, Permittee, or their Agent, based on site-specific circumstances for
the purpose of allowing accommodation of an STR Unit. All requests must be in writing and shall
identify how the strict application of one or more of the standard conditions creates an actual and
unreasonable hardship to a property such that, if the requirement is not modified, reasonable use
of the property for an STR would not be allowed. Any hardships identified must relate to physical
constraints to the STR Property and shall not be self-induced or economic. Any modifications of
the standard conditions shall not further exacerbate an already existing problem. An Applicant or
Permittee may be required to provide such other supplemental information as may be requested
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by the Director of Development Services. The Director of Development Services shall only allow
modifications which are consistent with the purpose and intent of the Ordinance.
R. Inspections. Each Permittee, Agent, or representative of any Owner shall: (1) provide to the
Director of Development Services such records relating to the use and occupancy of the STR Unit,
and (2) cooperate in the conduct of inspections of the STR Unit, as may be reasonably requested
by the Director of Development Services, to determine that the objectives and conditions of the
Ordinance are met.
See CVMC Section 5.68.110 for all operational requirements. See CVMC Section 5.68.140 for all audit
inspection requirements.
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7. Operating Rules & Requirements: Good Neighbor Rules
A. Local Contact Person Available. While an STR unit is rented, the Permittee, the Permittee’s Agent,
and/or a designated Local Contact Person (the “local contact”) must be available 24 hours per
day, seven days per week to respond to complaints from the renter and/or the public regarding
the use, condition, operation, or conduct of occupants of the STR unit. The local contact must be
on the premises of the STR at the request of a Code Enforcement Officer or the City’s Police
Department within 1 hour of contact. The local contact is expected to correct or take remedial
actions that may be necessary to resolve any complaint, alleged nuisance, or other violation of
the Ordinance by occupants occurring at the STR Property.
B. Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines. Each STR shall post Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines inside the
permitted premises near an entry door. The Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines shall be in a form
authorized by the Director of Development Services. The Good Neighbor Guest Guidelines shall,
at a minimum, provide information that is consistent with the requirements and prohibitions
relating to parking restrictions, occupancy limitations, trash and debris requirements, and quiet
hours, in accordance with CVMC Section 5.68.110(H).
C. Good Neighbor Owner Handout. Within ten (10) calendar days of the issuance, renewal, or
transfer of an STR permit, the Permittee shall mail or personally deliver in writing a Good Neighbor
Owner Handout to the owners and occupants of properties located on all sides and directly across
the street (including alleys or other rights-of-way) from the STR Property. The Good Neighbor
Owner Handout shall be in a form authorized by the Director of Development Services. A
certification of the distribution of the Good Neighbor Owner Handout shall be submitted to the
Development Services Department within thirty (30) days of the issuance/renewal/transfer. If at
any time during the STR permit period, the Permittee or Local Contact Person information in the
Good Neighbor Owner Handout changes, the Permittee shall promptly provide an updated Good
Neighbor Owner Handout (following the previously described process, including submitting a
certification to the Director of Development Services).
D. Off-Street Parking. Off-street parking shall not include the use of landscaped areas, any private
or public sidewalk, parkway, walkway, or alley (or any portion thereof). The term sidewalk
includes the portion of the public right-of-way that is delineated for pedestrian travel, including
where it crosses a driveway. Off-street parking spaces may be in tandem to other off-site parking
spaces, or in any other on-site location and/or configuration as may be approved by the Director
of Development Services. If a garage is included in the determination of available off-street
parking spaces for the STR, access to the garage for parking purposes must be provided by the
Permittee.
E. On-Street Parking. A maximum of one (1) on-street parking space may be used by each STR
property. If the STR is located in a permit parking district, the Permittee may purchase one parking
permit or placard from the City, to be used by STR guests. If a permit or placard is required, it
must be visibly displayed inside the vehicle of the STR occupant.
F. No Recreational Vehicles. During the time that an STR Property is being rented, no recreational
vehicle or other vehicle used or designed for use as lodging or sleeping accommodations, bus,
boat, trailer, camper, cargo container, or personal watercraft may be parked at or on the STR
Property, unless 1) it belongs to the Permittee; 2) the Permittee is also physically occupying the
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STR Property during that period; 3) the vehicle is not being used by STR Occupants; and 4) in the
case of an RV, a valid RV parking permit has been secured for the vehicle.
G. Duty to Minimize Noise, Disturbance, and Disorderly Conduct. The Permittee, Permittee’s Agent,
and Local Contact Person, as applicable, shall use reasonably prudent business practices to ensure
that the Occupants of an STR Unit do not create unreasonable noise or disturbances, engage in
disorderly conduct, or violate any applicable law, rule or regulation pertaining to the use and
occupancy of the STR Unit. This includes, without limitation, violation of CVMC Section 17.24.040
or Chapter 19.68.
H. Quiet Time from 10:00 pm to 9:00 am. The hours between 10:00 pm and 9:00 am are “quiet
time”. No outdoor activity shall disturb the peace and quiet of the neighborhood adjacent to an
STR Property or cause discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitivity
residing in the area. It is a major violation of the Ordinance if any STR Occupants engage in outdoor
activities during quiet time that involve the use of fire pits, barbecues, swimming pools, hot tubs,
spas, tennis courts, paddleball courts, or other similar and related improvements or play
equipment. It is also a major violation of the Ordinance if STR Occupants engage in outdoor
parties, outdoor singing, shouting, clapping or other activities generally associated with partying
or engage in outdoor drunk or disorderly conduct during quiet time. Any other outdoor conduct
during quiet time that disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood adjacent to an STR
Property or causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitivity is a
minor violation of the Ordinance. It is not a violation of the Ordinance for an Occupant to merely
be outdoors during quiet time hours, so long as there is no conduct that disturbs the peace and
quiet of the neighborhood or causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal
sensitivity residing in the area. Notice of quiet time shall be posted near all doors leading to the
exterior of the STR Unit. The notice shall be in a form acceptable to the Director of Development
Services.
I. Trash and Debris. Trash and refuse shall not be stored within public view, except in proper
containers for the purpose of collection between the hours of 5 pm the day before and 12
midnight the day of scheduled trash collection. The Permittee shall provide sufficient trash
collection containers and service to meet the demands of the Occupants. The STR Property shall
be free of debris both on site and in the adjacent portion of the site.
See CVMC Section 5.68.110 for all operational requirements.
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8. Operating Rules & Requirements: Guest Safety Requirements
A. The property address must be visible from the street and in contrasting colors.
B. Smoke alarms must be installed in all habitable areas except the kitchen, in accordance with the
Chula Vista Building Code.
C. At least one 2A:10BC-rated portable fire extinguisher must be installed in plain sight and within
each reach on each floor of the STR. The fire extinguisher must be fully charged and operable at
all times.
D. One or more carbon monoxide devices that meet the standards of Section 13262 of the California
Health and Safety Code must be installed in common stairways and hallways. The devices must
be tested and maintained properly.
E. Exterior gates leading to and from the front, side, and/or back yards shall not be padlocked.
F. Hallway doors and exit doors shall not be obstructed or otherwise prohibited from fully opening.
G. No double-keyed dead bolt locks may be installed on exit doors.
H. If the home has a swimming pool (as defined in the adopted California Building Code) gates and
other safety devices that conform to the specifications and requirements of the adopted
California Building Code must be employed.
I. Operable emergency escape and rescue openings must be provided in accordance with the
adopted California Building Codes. Specifically, basements, habitable attics, and all sleeping
rooms shall have at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening. Emergency escape
and rescue openings shall open directly into a public right-of-way, or to a yard or court that opens
to a public right-of-way.
J. Garages may not be used at any time for sleeping purposes and no independent living
accommodations and facilities (including provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, or
sanitation) shall be located inside a garage.
K. The use and sale of pyrotechnic devices, dangerous fireworks, and “safe and sane” fireworks are
prohibited.
See CVMC Section 5.68.110 for all operational requirements.
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9. Operating Rules & Requirements: Written Rental Agreement
For each separate rental occasion, the Permittee or the Permittee’s Agent shall enter into a written rental
agreement with a Responsible Person. This agreement shall be entered into prior to occupancy and shall
establish and set out the terms and conditions of the rental and require the Responsible Person to:
A. Provide his or her name, age, address, driver’s license number or passport number;
B. Provide the vehicle license number for any car to be parked on the street (limit of 1 per rental);
C. Agree to be accessible to the Permittee, the Permittee’s Agent, and the Local Contact Person (if
any) by telephone at all times;
D. Acknowledge his or her understanding of all City of Chula Vista STR rules; and
E. Agree that they are liable for any fines incurred by Occupants and legally responsible for
compliance by all Occupants of the STR Unit with all provisions of the Ordinance and the CVMC.
The written rental agreement shall also include the following terms, notifications, and disclosures.
F. The maximum number of Occupants that are permitted and notification that failure to conform
to the maximum occupancy is a violation of the Ordinance.
G. The number of off-street parking spaces provided on the STR Property and the maximum number
of vehicles that are permitted, along with the number of available permits for parking on the
public street (if any, maximum of one), with the requirement to display such permits in the
vehicles, and a summary of all applicable parking rules.
H. The trash pick-up day(s) and applicable rules and regulations pertaining to leaving or storing trash
on the exterior of the STR Property.
I. Notification that Occupants may be cited or fined by the City and/or that the Permittee or the
Permittee’s Agent has the right to immediately terminate the rental agreement and immediately
evict the Responsible Person and all Occupants upon any violation of the Ordinance or the CVMC
by any Occupant.
J. The name of the Permittee’s Agent and the name of the Local Contact Person (if any) and a
telephone number at which those Persons may be reached at all times and 9-1-1 emergency
information.
K. A clear and conspicuous statement that Occupants must obey the requirements set forth in the
Ordinance even if these requirements are stricter than the applicable covenants, conditions and
restrictions or other rules or regulations of the governing body of any homeowners’ association
or maintenance organization having jurisdiction over the STR Property.
L. A summary of any applicable covenants, conditions and restrictions and rules and regulations,
including pool location and hours, of the governing body of any homeowners’ or maintenance
association having jurisdiction over the STR Property.
M. A copy of the Ordinance, as may be amended from time to time.
A copy of the rental agreement shall be provided to each Occupant and shall be readily available to review
upon inspections conducted by any Code Enforcement Officer or Police Officer.
See CVMC Section 5.68.110 for all operational requirements.
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10. Transfers
A. Within 14 calendar days of a change of ownership or long-term tenancy of an STR Property, the
new Owner or Long-Term Tenant or their Agent shall submit to the Director of Development
Services an application for a transfer of an STR Permit, if they wish to continue to operate the STR
Unit. The application shall be accompanied by the payment of such fee or fees as presently
designated, or as may be in the future amended, in the master fee schedule of the City. Such
application shall contain all the information set forth in Section 2.
B. If a timely and complete transfer application is submitted, and the STR Permit is valid and in effect
prior to its Expiration Date, then the STR Permit shall be extended until the date a determination
is made by the Director of Development Services to approve or deny the transfer application.
C. No purchaser of the real property upon which a permitted STR is located shall operate an STR
under a previous Permittee’s STR Permit if a completed transfer application is not submitted
within the 14-day period specified above. Failure to submit the required complete application
within the 14-day period may be cause for denial.
D. Any building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire, health, police or code enforcement matter
involving a risk to public or private health or safety, including any notices of violation, notices to
cure, orders of abatement, cease and desist orders, or correction notices, may be cause for denial
of an application for a transfer of an STR Permit if not cured within a reasonable period of time,
not to exceed 30 calendar days, after the date on a notice from the Director of Development
Services to the Owner or Long-Term Tenant to do so, unless a further extension is granted in
writing by the Director of Development Services.
E. No Person shall transfer or attempt to transfer an STR Permit to any other Person, except as
authorized by the Ordinance. Any such attempt shall be void and constitute a violation of the
Ordinance.
F. No Person shall convey or attempt to convey an STR Permit from one property to another
property. Any attempt to convey an STR Permit from one property to another property shall be
void and constitute a violation of the Ordinance.
See CVMC Section 5.68.090 for all permit transfer requirements.
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11. Short-Term Rental Event Permits
A. Event Permit Required. If you would like to host a large-scale event at an STR Unit or STR Property
that exceeds the maximum occupancy allowed pursuant to CVMC 5.68.110, you must first secure
a Short-Term Rental Event Permit (“STR Event Permit”). Large-scale events requiring an STR Event
Permit include, but are not limited to, commercial parties, weddings, fundraisers, conferences,
and other similar assemblies that are separate from the purpose of lodging. STR Event Permits
are only required if you are charging a fee for the use of the STR Property (Rent). Hosting an event
for yourself, a family member, etc., that is not in exchange for a fee does not require an STR Event
Permit.
B. Term. Each STR Event Permit will have a maximum term of twelve (12) hours. If your event will
run for more than twelve (12) hours, you must apply for additional permits sufficient to cover the
full term of your event.
C. Permits Limited. Each permitted STR Unit is eligible for a maximum of twelve (12) STR Event
Permits per term (each twelve (12) month period).
D. Lodging Purposes Excluded. STR Event Permits do not increase the maximum occupancy for
lodging purposes.
To apply for an STR Event Permit, submit an STR Event Permit application and pay the STR Event Permit
fee. Online applications may be completed by visiting https://citizenaccess.chulavistaca.gov/citizenaccess
and selecting the Licenses tab.
E. Eligibility. You must have a valid STR Permit in order to apply for an STR Event Permit.
F. STR Event Permit Fee. Each application for an STR Event Permit must be accompanied by a fee in
the amount of $40.00.
See CVMC 5.68.120 for all STR Event Permit regulations.
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12. Hosting Platform Responsibilities
A. Take Down Notice. Upon written or electronic notification from the City that the City has not
issued a permit for an STR which is listed or advertised on the internet website provided or
maintained by a Hosting Platform, the Hosting Platform shall discontinue and remove the listing
or advertisement within 10 calendar days from the transmittal date of the notification. The
Hosting Platform thereafter shall not list or advertise the STR without written certification from
the City that the required permit has been issued.
B. Information to Be Provided to Responsible Person. A Hosting Platform operating in the City shall
provide the following information to any Person listing a Dwelling Unit through the Hosting
Platform’s service:
i. Notice of the requirements listed in the Ordinance, including the requirement to obtain a
business license and STR Permit prior to any listing;
ii. Notice of the TOT requirements (Chapter 3.40 CMVC).
Upon request by the City, a Hosting Platform shall provide documentation to the City
demonstrating that the Hosting Platform provided the required notification. Hosting
Platform’s failure to provide written notification shall not excuse any Person from
complying with any local regulations.
C. TOT Collection Responsibilities. The Hosting Platform shall collect all required TOT (Chapter 3.40
CMVC) on accommodation transactions facilitated by the Hosting Platform and shall remit the
taxes on a monthly basis to the City with the completion of a form approved by the City. A Hosting
Platform collecting and remitting transient occupancy taxes under this section shall issue a receipt
to each Responsible Person. The Hosting Platform shall separately state on the receipt the amount
of the transient occupancy tax charged and maintain a duplicate of such receipt. A Hosting
Platform shall maintain all documentation necessary to demonstrate that the proper amount of
taxes have been remitted to the City for a period of four years after the date of remittance.
D. Information to Be Collected and Provided to City. Subject to applicable law, a Hosting Platform
with listings located in the City shall provide to the City on a monthly basis, in a format specified
by the City, the STR Permit number of each listing, the name of the Person responsible for each
listing, the address of each such listing, and, for each booking that occurs within the reporting
period, the number of days booked, whether the booking was for a Whole-Home STR or a Partial-
Home STR, and the total price paid for each rental.
A Hosting Platform shall maintain, to the extent received from the Person responsible for the
listing, the following information for each Dwelling Unit in the City for which the Hosting Platform
provided a booking service for a period of four years from the date of the transaction:
i. The first and last name of the Person who offered the STR;
ii. The exact street address of the Dwelling Unit, including any unit numbers;
iii. The dates for which a Responsible Person procured occupancy of the Dwelling Unit
using the booking service provided by the Hosting Platform, and the total number of
room nights by reporting period by Owner;
iv. The gross receipts, including but not limited to Rent and TOT, paid for each stay in a
format required by the City; and
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v. The City STR Permit number and the City TOT Certificate number associated with the
STR.
A Hosting Platform shall deliver the foregoing information to the City upon request. The City may
apply auditing procedures necessary to determine the amount of taxes due to the City and to
ensure compliance with the Ordinance.
E. Conformance to Law. The provisions of this section shall be interpreted in accordance with
otherwise applicable state and federal law(s) and will not apply if determined by the City to be in
violation of any such law(s).
See CVMC 5.68.150 for all Hosting Platform responsibilities.
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13. Violations: Major
A “major violation” of the Ordinance consists of any of the following:
A. Operating an STR without securing an STR Permit;
B. Exceeding STR Unit occupancy limitations without securing an STR Event Permit;
C. Any Occupants engaging in outdoor activities on an STR Property between the hours of 10:00 p.m.
and 9:00 a.m. that involve the use of fire pits, barbecues, swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, tennis
or paddleball courts, or other similar and related improvements or play equipment, or if any
Occupants engage in outdoor parties, outdoor singing, shouting, clapping or other activities
generally associated with partying or if Occupants engage in any outdoor drunk or disorderly
conduct during those hours;
D. The Permittee, the Permittee’s Agent and/or the Local Contact Person, failing to respond to an
Enforcement Officer’s request, respond within one hour, or to reasonably cooperate in facilitating
an investigation and the correction of a suspected violation of the Ordinance;
E. The unpermitted use of a garage as a game room or for sleeping purposes at an STR Unit or on an
STR Property;
F. Criminal activities by the Permittee, Permittee’s Agent, the Local Contact Person, or any Occupant
on the premises; however, a minor violation shall not be deemed a criminal activity for purposes
of constituting a major violation merely because any violation of the Ordinance may constitute a
misdemeanor or a public nuisance;
G. Any other violation of the Ordinance determined by the City Manager to constitute a serious
threat to the public health or safety of the community; or
H. Four minor violations of any type in connection with the same STR Unit or STR Property during
any continuous period of 12 months.
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14. Violations: Minor
A “minor violation” of the Ordinance consists of any of the following:
A. A failure of the Permittee to obtain the signature of the Responsible Person acknowledging the
rules;
B. A failure to pay TOT required for the STR;
C. A failure to register to pay TOT for the STR; or
D. Any violation of any law, ordinance, resolution, or permit condition regulating STR Units or STR
Properties or any other provisions of federal, state, or local law that does not constitute a “major
violation”.
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15. Penalties: General
A. It is unlawful for any Person to violate any provision or fail to comply with the requirements of
the Ordinance or any regulation adopted thereunder. Each day that a violation continues is
deemed to be a new and separate offense.
B. Any Person violating any of the provisions or failing to comply with any of the requirements of the
Ordinance or any regulation adopted thereunder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by
a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a period of not more than six months, or by
both a fine and imprisonment. No proof of knowledge, intent, or other mental state is required
to establish a violation. At the sole discretion of the City Prosecutor, any violation of the Ordinance
may in the alternative be cited and prosecuted as an infraction.
C. Any condition caused or allowed to exist in violation of any of the provisions of the Ordinance or
any regulation adopted thereunder is a public nuisance. Such violation may be abated by the City,
or by the City Attorney on behalf of the people of the state of California, as a nuisance in any
manner provided for in the CVMC, including summary abatement, or otherwise provided by law
or equity, including a restraining order, injunction, or any other order or judgment in law or equity
issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. The City, or the City Attorney on behalf of the people
of the state of California, may seek injunctive relief to enjoin violations of, or to compel
compliance with, the Ordinance or seek any other relief or remedy available at law or equity,
including the imposition of monetary civil penalties. All expenses incurred by the City in
connection with any action to abate a public nuisance will be chargeable as authorized by law to
the Persons creating, causing, committing, or maintaining the public nuisance.
D. An Enforcement Officer may issue administrative citations or civil penalties in accordance with
CVMC Chapter 1.41 for violation of any of the provisions of the Ordinance or any regulation
adopted thereunder. When a violation occurs, it is not required that a warning or notice to cure
must first be given before an administrative citation or civil penalty may be issued. Any report
where the City’s Police Department has concluded that a violation of the Ordinance has occurred
may be submitted to the Director of Development Services for review, processing and issuance of
an administrative citation or civil penalty by an Enforcement Officer.
E. Each criminal citation, administrative citation, and civil penalty issued for a violation of any
provision of the Ordinance may be issued, levied, or assessed against one or more of: the Owner,
the Permittee, the Permittee’s Agent, a Hosting Platform, the Responsible Party, the Occupant,
and any other Person who caused, created, committed, or maintained the violation.
F. A violation of any provision of the Ordinance by any Permittee, Permittee’s Agent, Local Contact
Person, Responsible Person or Occupant of an STR shall constitute grounds for modification of the
STR Permit.
G. The Director of Development Services may suspend or revoke an STR Permit if any three major
violations are issued in connection with the same STR Property within a continuous period of 12
months, including major violations that result from aggregating minor violations into a major
violation as described in CVMC Section 5.68.160(I)(1)(h). A change of Ownership shall have no
effect on the accumulation of violations against the STR Property.
H. When a violation occurs, it is not required that a warning or notice to cure must first be given in
order to impose the sanction of modification, suspension, or revocation of the STR Permit.
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I. Whenever in the Ordinance any act or omission is made unlawful, it shall include causing, aiding,
abetting, suffering, or concealing the fact of such act or omission.
J. The remedies specified in the Ordinance are cumulative and in addition to any other remedies
available under state or local law for violation of this code.
K. Nothing herein shall be construed as requiring the City to allow, permit, license, authorize or
otherwise regulate STR or Event activity, or as abridging the City’s police power with respect to
enforcement regarding STR or Event activity.
See CVMC 5.68.160 for all penalty information.
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16. Penalties: Amounts
A. The City may issue an administrative citation or civil penalty for any violation of the Ordinance as
follows:
i. First offense - not to exceed $100.00 for a minor offense and $1,000 for a major offense;
ii. Second offense within any continuous period of 12 consecutive months – not to exceed
$500.00 if the offense is a minor offense and $2,000 if the offense is a major offense;
iii. Third and fourth offenses within any continuous period of 12 consecutive months – not
to exceed $1,000 if the offense is a minor offense and $4,000 if the offense is a major
offense.
iv. Fifth and subsequent offenses within any continuous period of 12 consecutive months –
not to exceed $1,500 if the offense is a minor offense and not to exceed $5,000 if the
offense is a major offense.
B. Unless prohibited by any state or federal law, the City may issue a Hosting Platform an
administrative citation or civil penalty for any violation of the Ordinance or the CVMC by the
Hosting Platform as follows:
i. First offense – not to exceed $500.00;
ii. Second offense within any continuous period of 12 consecutive months – not to exceed
$1,000;
iii. Third and subsequent offenses within any continuous period of 12 consecutive months –
not to exceed $2,000.
See CVMC 5.68.160 for all penalty information.
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17. Permit Modifications, Suspensions, and Revocations
A. In addition to any other penalty authorized by law, an STR Permit may be modified, suspended,
or revoked for any violation of the Ordinance or federal, state, or local law in accordance with the
provisions of this section.
B. The Director of Development Services shall have the authority to modify an STR Permit to impose
additional conditions or amend existing terms or conditions in the event of any violation of any
condition of the permit or any violation of the Ordinance or federal, state, or local law.
C. Any modification of conditions or suspension or revocation of an STR Permit shall be in accordance
with the following procedures:
i. The Director of Development Services shall conduct an investigation whenever they have
reason to believe that an Owner, Permittee, Permittee’s Agent, or Local Contact Person
is in violation of, or has failed to comply with, any condition of the STR Permit, any
requirements of the Ordinance or federal, state, or local law.
ii. Should the investigation reveal substantial evidence to support a finding that a violation
occurred, the Director of Development Services shall issue a written notice of intention
to modify, suspend and/or revoke the permit. The written notice shall be served on the
Responsible Person, shall specify the facts which, in the opinion of the Director of
Development Services, constitute substantial evidence to establish grounds for
modification, suspension and/or revocation, and state that the permit will be modified,
suspended or revoked within 30 calendar days from the date the notice is given unless
the Owner or Person aggrieved by the Director of Development Services’ decision files
with the City Clerk, before the modification, suspension or revocation becomes effective,
a request for an administrative hearing to appeal the decision pursuant to the Ordinance
appeal procedures.
See CVMC 5.68.170 for all procedures for permit modifications, suspensions, and/or revocations.
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18. Appeal Procedures
A. Any affected Person may appeal a decision of the Development Services Director modifying,
denying, suspending, or revoking an STR Permit to the City Manager within 30 calendar days from
the date the notice is given.
B. Said appeal shall be in writing and filed with the City Clerk upon forms provided by the
Development Services Department and shall specify therein that the decision of the Development
Services Director was in error and identify the facts and circumstances on which the claim of error
is based.
C. If an appeal is filed within the time limit specified, it shall automatically stay proceedings in the
matter until a determination is made by the City Manager.
D. The City Manager shall set the matter for hearing before a hearing examiner and notify the parties
in writing of the date and location of the hearing at least 10 business days prior to said date.
E. The fee to request an appeal pursuant to the Ordinance shall be in the form of a deposit, the
amount to be determined by the City Manager in accordance with any applicable law based on
the anticipated staff cost to conduct the hearing.
F. If the cost of the hearing or appeal exceeds the deposited amount, the requesting party shall be
responsible for payment of the additional costs incurred.
G. If the hearing officer determines that the violation is not supported by the evidence, the entire
deposited amount will be returned to the party that requested the appeal. The appeal hearing
shall be conducted pursuant to CVMC Sections 1.30.090 and 1.30.100.
See CVMC 5.68.180 for all appeal procedures.
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19. Resources
A. Administrative Documents
1. Primary Residency Declaration
2. Landlord Affidavit
B. Online Resources
1. STR Permitting Portal
2. Register to Pay TOT
3. Remit TOT
4. Apply for a Business License
5. Renew a Business License
6. Apply for an RV Parking Permit