For the privilege of occupancy in any hotel or short-term rental in the City of El Cajon, each transient is subject to and shall pay a transient occupancy tax of 10% of the rent charged by the operator. 

For detailed information regarding El Cajon’s transient occupancy tax, please refer to the municipal code: TOT Chapter 3.44

A list of the City's frequently asked questions regarding TOTs: FAQs

TOT PORTAL Information

 The City of El Cajon has partnered with HdL Companies for Transient Occupancy Tax return processing.  This includes return filing, payments, compliance, and general support.  Providers will now file directly with the HdL Companies Lodging Tax Processing Center.

Follow this link to El Cajon's Online TOT Portal

For customer support and portal navigation, please contact HdL Companies at:

Phone Number: (619) 393-7108

Email Address: ElCajonTOT@hdlgov.com

Tax specialists will be available to assist you Monday through Friday 8am - 5pm.

Short-Term Rental Properties

Short-term, or vacation, rentals are subject to the same Transient Occupancy Tax. 

All providers must maintain an active city business license and remit TOT through the online TOT portal.