San Diego County · checked 2026-09-16
Can you BnB it in La Mesa?
No STR ordinanceLa Mesa currently has no short-term rental ordinance; the zoning code is silent except that ADUs cannot be rented for under thirty days, and the 10 percent transient occupancy tax applies to short stays. The council voted in July 2026 to develop a regulatory policy, with a staff proposal due within six months.
Proposed, not in effect: On July 14, 2026 the City Council voted to develop a short-term rental regulatory policy; staff must return with a proposed policy within six months. Possible elements discussed include quiet hours, vehicle limits, and operational standards. No ordinance has been introduced. (council date 2026-07-14)
source. This page states adopted law only; a pending change is never written as current law.
The rules, with their sources
Permit or licenseNo permit is required; the code has no short-term rental permit program.L1Chapter 6.09 Transient Occupancy Tax (Ord. 2089, 1976; Ord. 2323, 1983; Ord. 2568, 1990); Title 24 Zoning, Chapter 24.05 (ADU rental term rule at 24.05.020D8e) · code text · checked 2026-09-16
Hosted onlyThe code does not limit rentals to hosted stays.L1Chapter 6.09 Transient Occupancy Tax (Ord. 2089, 1976; Ord. 2323, 1983; Ord. 2568, 1990); Title 24 Zoning, Chapter 24.05 (ADU rental term rule at 24.05.020D8e) · code text · checked 2026-09-16
Primary residenceThe code does not require the rental to be the operator's primary residence.L1Chapter 6.09 Transient Occupancy Tax (Ord. 2089, 1976; Ord. 2323, 1983; Ord. 2568, 1990); Title 24 Zoning, Chapter 24.05 (ADU rental term rule at 24.05.020D8e) · code text · checked 2026-09-16
Transfer when the home sellsCode silent on transfer because no STR permit exists. TOT registration certificates are issued to operators (6.09.060).L1Chapter 6.09 Transient Occupancy Tax (Ord. 2089, 1976; Ord. 2323, 1983; Ord. 2568, 1990); Title 24 Zoning, Chapter 24.05 (ADU rental term rule at 24.05.020D8e) · code text · checked 2026-09-16
Read the code text →
In the city's own words
6.09.020.F“Any person who exercises occupancy or is entitled to occupancy by reason of concession, permit, right of access, license, or other agreement for a period of thirty consecutive calendar days or less.” source
24.05.020D8e“The rental of an accessory dwelling unit created under Section 24.05.020D8e shall be for terms longer than thirty days.” source
Citation: Chapter 6.09 Transient Occupancy Tax (Ord. 2089, 1976; Ord. 2323, 1983; Ord. 2568, 1990); Title 24 Zoning, Chapter 24.05 (ADU rental term rule at 24.05.020D8e)
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How this page was verified
Verified from the municipal code (level 1), checked on 2026-09-16 by the CanIBnB research desk. Research is AI assisted and human reviewed; the method, the level system, and the re-check schedule are on the How we verify page. If anything here is wrong, report it and it goes in the public corrections log.