Carlsbad, California Short-Term Rental Market
Carlsbad STRs are Coastal Zone only, and September 2026 San Diego County ADR is $303, occupancy 62.8%, revenue $5,181.
Quick Answer: Carlsbad, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the San Diego market area is 63%. average monthly revenue in the San Diego market area is $5,181. average daily rate in the San Diego market area is $303. the top operator in the San Diego market area is Evolve with 265 listings. market score is 65/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the San Diego regional market, which includes Carlsbad. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Carlsbad.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This page covers the San Diego County STR market as of September 2026, the region Carlsbad shares with Fallbrook, La Jolla, Ramona, Palomar Mountain, Julian and Borrego Springs. Performance figures below describe that San Diego County market rather than Carlsbad alone, while the regulations section applies to Carlsbad specifically. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts and top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Carlsbad, so this profile omits them.
In September 2026 the average daily rate across all listings in the San Diego County STR market was $303 and occupancy was 62.8%, producing average monthly revenue of $5,181 per listing. Entire-home listings commanded a higher ADR of $327. Year over year, occupancy is up 10.8%, ADR is up 3.3%, and revenue is up 10.2%, so growth is coming mostly from more booked nights rather than rate increases.
The longer trend is steady. Average ADR rose from $192 in 2017 to $305 in 2025, while occupancy peaked at 71.3% in 2021 and settled at 62.7% in 2025. Average monthly revenue was $5,256 in 2025. For 2026 through September, the figures are stronger: 68.0% occupancy, a $321 ADR, and $5,970 in average monthly revenue.
Carlsbad itself has a population of 114,373 and draws approximately 4 million visitors per year, generating roughly $1.7 billion in annual spending. It ranks second in San Diego County for tourism volume, behind only the city of San Diego. LEGOLAND California Resort accounts for roughly 40% of Carlsbad visitors, and the city has seven miles of Pacific coastline. Buyers should note that the typical Carlsbad home value is $1,593,241, and that STR operation is allowed only in limited parts of the city, covered in the regulatory section.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 56% |
| Feb | 65% |
| Mar | 69% |
| Apr | 62% |
| May | 64% |
| Jun | 74% |
| Jul | 77% |
| Aug | 68% |
| Sep | 61% |
| Oct | 61% |
| Nov | 58% |
| Dec | 57% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Carlsbad are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in San Diego market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the San Diego market as a whole, which includes Carlsbad, so these counts are not Carlsbad-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 265 | 10,436 | ★ 4.74 |
| 2 | Surf Style Vacation Homes | 223 | 10,070 | ★ 4.77 |
| 3 | Vacasa | 176 | 8,268 | ★ 4.62 |
| 4 | Nxt Vacation Rental Management | 164 | 3,008 | ★ 4.90 |
| 5 | San Diego Rentals | 162 | 153 | ★ 4.40 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Carlsbad?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Carlsbad are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 49.4% |
| vrbo | 6.2% |
| both | 44.4% |
Home Value Trends (Carlsbad)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Carlsbad are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Carlsbad — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Carlsbad restricts short-term vacation rentals (stays under 30 consecutive nights) to residentially zoned property within the California Coastal Zone or the La Costa Resort and Spa Master Plan area, under CMC Chapter 5.60. All other areas of Carlsbad prohibit STVRs entirely. Accessory dwelling units approved on or after January 1, 2020 are ineligible for STVR permits under California state law. Enforcement is rated strict.
An annual Short-Term Vacation Rental permit is issued by the Community Development Department. The fee is $225, reduced from $381 effective September 1, 2024. Operators also need a city business license for a Home-Based Business from the Finance Department, priced from $118 to $265 based on gross receipts. Permits must be renewed annually, and the permit number must be posted on the exterior of the unit and shown in all listings.
There is no owner-occupancy or primary residence requirement, so non-hosted whole-home operation is allowed. The combined occupancy tax is 12%, made up of a 10% transient occupancy tax and a 2% Tourism Business Improvement District assessment.
Operational rules include a 24/7 local contact who responds within 45 minutes of a complaint, a posted evacuation plan, working smoke and CO alarms, a fire extinguisher, and a parking diagram. Maximum occupancy is 2 guests per bedroom plus 1 additional guest per unit. A 2018 ordinance amendment codified a three-strike revocation rule and a prohibition on commercial use. Always confirm current rules with the city before buying.
Market Comparison
The year-over-year momentum in the San Diego County STR market is strong. Occupancy is up 10.8%, ADR is up 3.3%, and revenue is up 10.2%. Seasonal occupancy ranges from 55.5% in January to 77.0% in July.
The city draws approximately 4 million visitors per year and ranks second in San Diego County for tourism volume. The trade-off is cost and access. Carlsbad’s typical home value is $1,593,241, and STR use is limited to the Coastal Zone and the La Costa Resort and Spa Master Plan area, so supply is constrained by regulation. Top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Carlsbad, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carlsbad, California
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