Chula Vista, California Short-Term Rental Market
Chula Vista limits STRs to residents, and September 2026 San Diego County ADR was $303, occupancy 62.8%, revenue $5,181.
Quick Answer: Chula Vista, 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 266 listings. market score is 65/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the San Diego regional market, which includes Chula Vista. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Chula Vista.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers Chula Vista, California, using data through September 2026. Chula Vista is the second-largest city in San Diego County, with a population of 278,546, and sits roughly 7 miles from the Mexican border. Performance figures below describe the San Diego County STR market. The underlying metric series is shared across multiple San Diego County towns, so it is not measured uniquely for Chula Vista. For the same reason, bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts and top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Chula Vista, so this profile omits them.
In September 2026 the San Diego County STR market posted an average daily rate (ADR) of $303 and occupancy of 62.8%, with average monthly revenue of $5,181. Compared with a year earlier, occupancy rose 10.8%, ADR rose 3.3%, and revenue rose 10.2%. The ADR for entire place rentals was $327, above the all-listings average. Summing the seasonal monthly averages gives annualized revenue of $51,988.
The longer record shows steady ADR growth. Annual average ADR rose from $192 in 2017 to $305 in 2025, while average occupancy peaked at 71.3% in 2021 and was 62.7% in 2025. Through the first nine months of 2026, the market averaged 68.0% occupancy, a $321 ADR, and $5,970 in monthly revenue, ahead of the $5,256 monthly average for 2025.
Visitor demand is largely regional. Much of the traffic comes from drive market trips and overflow lodging for San Diego area events, and no city specific annual visitor count is published. Local draws include the Living Coast Discovery Center, Aquatica San Diego, the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, and the Chula Vista Bayfront. Operators should read the regulatory section carefully, since the city requires a permit and primary residence status.
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 Chula Vista 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 Chula Vista, so these counts are not Chula Vista-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 266 | 10,486 | ★ 4.73 |
| 2 | Surf Style Vacation Homes | 225 | 10,113 | ★ 4.77 |
| 3 | Vacasa | 179 | 8,447 | ★ 4.62 |
| 4 | Nxt Vacation Rental Management | 165 | 3,059 | ★ 4.90 |
| 5 | San Diego Rentals | 162 | 153 | ★ 4.40 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Chula Vista?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Chula Vista 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 | 44.3% |
Home Value Trends (Chula Vista)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Chula Vista 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 Chula Vista — 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
Chula Vista allows short-term rentals of under 30 days but regulates them tightly. The ordinance, Municipal Code Chapter 5.68, took effect February 1, 2023, and enforcement began July 1, 2023. Enforcement is rated strict.
Operators must be Chula Vista residents whose primary residence, lived in at least 275 days a year, is in the city. Each resident may operate at most two STRs: one primary residence and one non primary residence. A whole home rental of the operator’s primary residence is capped at 90 days per calendar year, with a two night minimum stay. Partial home rentals of a primary residence and whole home rentals of a non primary residence have no annual day cap.
To operate, a host first needs a Transient Occupancy Tax certificate and a Chula Vista Business License, then applies for a Short-Term Rental Permit. The permit application fee is $250, and the permit renews every 12 months for $175. Registration and remittance run through the Deckard STR portal.
A 10% occupancy tax applies to the listing price, cleaning fees, and other non refundable charges on stays of 30 nights or less. Maximum occupancy is 10 people per rental, and quiet hours run from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. The business license must be displayed and trash must be promptly removed.
The rules cover homes, condos, townhomes, rooms, and accessory dwelling units. RVs, campers, sheds, trailers, tents, and treehouses are prohibited as STRs. Violations carry daily fines of $100 to $2,000. Confirm current requirements with the city before buying or listing.
Market Comparison
The San Diego County STR market posted solid results in September 2026, with 62.8% occupancy, a $303 ADR, and average monthly revenue of $5,181.
Growth is also strong. Year over year, occupancy rose 10.8%, ADR rose 3.3%, and revenue rose 10.2%. Annual ADR has climbed from $192 in 2017 to $305 in 2025, a gain that outpaces occupancy, which has eased from its 2021 peak of 71.3% to 62.7% in 2025 before recovering in 2026.
The tradeoff is regulation and entry cost. The typical home value is $849,526, and Chula Vista requires operators to live in the city, which narrows the pool of eligible hosts compared with markets that have no residency rule.
The San Diego County STR market is tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Chula Vista, so this profile omits top operator names.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chula Vista, California
Are short-term rentals legal in Chula Vista?
How much does a Chula Vista STR permit cost?
How many nights can I rent my primary residence in Chula Vista?
What is the average occupancy and ADR for Chula Vista short-term rentals?
When is the best time of year for Chula Vista STR revenue?
How much does a typical home cost in Chula Vista?
How far ahead do guests book and how long do they stay?
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