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  1. Home
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  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. California
  6. ·
  7. Calistoga

Calistoga

Prohibited
CaliforniaUpdated Apr 17, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals are PROHIBITED in the City of Calistoga residential zones. Under Zoning Code § 17.04.575, any rental of a residential unit for less than 31 consecutive days is considered an illegal transient use.

Restriction level

Severity 100
Classification
Prohibited
100
Severity

Why this classification

  • Banned in all/most residential zones
  • Severe night cap: 0 nights/year
  • Long minimum stay: 31 nights
  • Tenants cannot host
  • No STR-specific permit required
  • No primary residence requirement
  • No STR-specific fee

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Calistoga, your rental must be for 31 days or longer. The city does not allow 'vacation rentals' or 'home-sharing' for short trips in any residential neighborhood. Only licensed commercial hotels and specific bed-and-breakfasts in commercial zones are allowed to operate for short stays. If you list a residential home for short stays, you face fines of up to $1,000 per day.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredNo
Night limitYes
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Short-term rentals (under 31 days) are completely banned in residential zones.
  2. 2The 31-day minimum stay is strictly enforced via monitoring software.
  3. 3Renting a room while the host is present (home-sharing) is also prohibited.
  4. 4ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) cannot be used for short-term stays regardless of length.
  5. 5Fines reach $1,000 per day for violations of the transient occupancy ban.
  6. 6Being near the city boundary is critical; unincorporated Napa County has different (though also strict) rules.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility6 rules
  • Calistoga, CA: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
  • Calistoga: Renting a room while the host is present (home-sharing) is also prohibited.
  • Calistoga: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Requirements13 rules
  • Calistoga, CA: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
  • Calistoga does not require STR registration.
  • Calistoga STR warning: ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) cannot be used for short-term stays regardless of length.
  • Calistoga STR warning: The 31-day minimum stay is strictly enforced via monitoring software.
Application process4 rules
  • Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Calistoga: Step 1: Verification of Prohibition - Confirm your property is in a residential zone. Short-term rentals (under 31 days) are strictly prohibited in all residential districts in Calistoga. Estimated time: N/A. More info: https://www.calistogaca.gov/government/planning-building/short-term-rentals
Taxes1 rule
  • Calistoga charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 12%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: Since STRs are prohibited, there is no official VDA with platforms for residential zones.
Limits & restrictions2 rules
  • Calistoga requires a minimum stay of 31 nights.
  • Calistoga enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Calistoga requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.
Penalties4 rules
  • Calistoga enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Citation and immediate cease-and-desist. Second offense: Increased administrative fines. Daily fine: Up to $1,000 per day. Maximum fine: Unlimited cumulative. Criminal penalties may apply.
  • Calistoga: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
Exemptions3 rules
  • Calistoga: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
  • Calistoga exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Licensed Hotels, Licensed Bed and Breakfasts in specific commercial zones.

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

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