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

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

Application and Review Process

• Submittals can take place in person at the Business License Counter or online via our Business License Website. The following items must be submitted:
  • City of Vista Business License Application
  • Application for Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate 
  • Short-Term Rental Permit Application 

• Business License staff reviews the Short-Term Rental Application, TOT, and BL Application 

• The complete application packet will be sent to the Planning Department staff for review and approval
  • If submitted in person the review takes place at the Development Services Counter 
  • If submitted online the review takes place through HDL (online BL portal)

• Planning Department staff will review and return approved applications to Business License staff

• Upon collection of fees, Business License staff will issue the Business License, TOT Certificate, and Short-Term Rental Permit  
  • A TOT packet will be emailed to the business owner

Required Documents 

• Business License Application
• Application for Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate
• Short Term Rental Permit Application
• STR Exterior Complaint Phone Number Display

Resources 

• Issued Short-Term Rental Permits
• Short-Term Rental Ordinance
• Short-Term Rental Operational Requirements
• For 24/7 reporting of complaints, locate the unit's local designated contact here:
  • 24/7 Local Designated Contact List
• For code-related complaints and violations, contact our Code Enforcement Office
  • In person at the Vista Civic Center | 200 Civic Center Drive, 1st Floor
  • By phone at 760.639.6141
  • By emailing our Code Enforcement Department.

Contact

200 Civic Center Drive, 1st Floor, Vista CA 92084
Planning: 760.639.6100
Business License: 760.639.6174

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

For STR related questions please email us.