As of February 2025, Escondido, California has implemented regulations for short-term rentals (STRs), including non-owner occupied properties. The city adopted a pilot program in December 2024 with the following key regulations:

1. STR operators must obtain a short-term rental permit and an Escondido business license1.
2. Operators must pay a 10% transient occupancy tax (TOT) on rental revenue14.
3. STRs are limited to 2% of the city's total housing stock, capping the number at 942 units1.
4. STRs are prohibited within 500 feet of educational institutions17.
5. A 24/7 contact person must be designated to address complaints1.

For non-owner occupied properties specifically:

• There are no explicit restrictions on non-owner occupied STRs in Escondido6.
• Operators can rent up to 3 units without requiring a business license or paying TOT4.
• If renting more than 3 units, operators must obtain a business license and pay the 10% TOT4.

The city initially processes up to 200 applications before pausing for evaluation, repeating this process for every subsequent batch of 100 applications1. These regulations aim to address concerns such as noise, parking, and community impact while allowing for the operation of STRs in Escondido.