Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Napa?

**Yes**, you need a Short-Term Rental Permit to legally rent out your property in Napa. You need to apply through the city and pay an initial application fee of $586. The city has a strict cap of 41 non-hosted permits, so availability is limited, and fire inspections are required.

What is the TOT tax rate in Napa?

**13% TOT** is the total tax rate for short-term rentals in Napa, CA. This is comprised of a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax and a 1% Napa Valley Tourism Business Improvement District (NVTBID) assessment. You need to collect this amount from your guests and remit it to the city on a monthly basis.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Napa?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Napa, but with significant restrictions. The city enforces a permit cap of only 41 non-hosted rentals, meaning permits are scarce. To operate legally, you need to secure a permit, pass inspections, and remit all required taxes. Check local zoning requirements before operating.

How much does an STR permit cost in Napa?

**$586** is the initial application fee for a Short-Term Rental Permit in Napa. You need to submit this fee along with your application to the city. Note that additional fees may apply for inspections or renewals. Due to the limited availability of permits, the application process can be competitive.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Napa?

**Please check directly with city** staff for the most up-to-date information. Regulations vary regarding whether tenants can operate short-term rentals. Verify the rules with Napa's planning and zoning department before listing a rental property you do not own. Compliance is crucial to avoid penalties.

Napa, CA Short-Term Rental Laws & Regulations

Baseline Verification

80%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

5 Official Sources

Summary

The City of Napa strictly regulates short-term rentals, enforcing a city-wide cap of 41 permits for non-hosted vacation rentals. Hosts must obtain an STR permit, pass a fire inspection, and remit a total tax of 13% (12% TOT + 1% NVTBID assessment).

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 48 (moderate)

Why this classification:

•High permit fee: $586
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in the City of Napa, you must first secure one of the few available permits, as the city has a strict limit on the number of vacation rentals allowed. You are required to live in the home for 'hosted' rentals, but for 'non-hosted' rentals, you must wait for a vacancy in the 41-permit cap. You must pay an initial application fee of nearly $600 and ensure your property passes a safety inspection. Once permitted, you must collect 13% tax from guests and report your income to the city every month.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$586

Processing Time

30-60 days

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.The city has a 41-permit cap for non-hosted STRs; there is often a long waitlist.
2.Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in ADUs (granny flats) built after 2017.
3.The 13% tax rate includes a 12% TOT and a 1% Napa Valley Tourism Business Improvement District assessment.
4.If you operate without a permit, you are banned from applying for one for 12 months.
5.You must provide one off-street parking space per guest bedroom.
6.Events like weddings or commercial parties are strictly prohibited at STR properties.
7.Verify you are within City Limits; Unincorporated Napa County has completely different rules (Chapter 18.104).

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

•Napa limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
•Napa requires the host to be present during STR stays (hosted rentals only).
•Napa: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Napa allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwellings.

Requirements(17)

•Napa: Waitlist Only: All permits are currently allocated; expect years of waiting for a new opening.
•Napa: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
•Napa STR warning: Neighbor Notification: You must mail letters to every neighbor within 500 feet every single year.

Application Process(10)

•Napa STR permit - Step 2: Join the Waitlist. If submittal periods are open, apply to the waitlist for either Hosted or Non-Hosted permits. Required documents: Waitlist application form. Time: Indefinite.
•Napa STR permit - Step 5: Register for TOT. Register with the Finance Department to collect and remit 12% Transient Occupancy Tax monthly. Required documents: TOT Registration Form. Time: 14 days.

Fees & Costs(2)

•Napa: Neighbor Notification: You must mail letters to every neighbor within 500 feet every single year.
•Napa charges a registration fee of $594 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $626 (Fee for appeals of vacation rental permits).

Taxes(3)

•California has a state sales tax of 8.75% that applies to STR rentals.
•Napa charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 12%. This applies to stays under 31 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: City typically requires direct remittance by hosts; verification suggests Airbnb does not remit for Napa City.

Limits & Restrictions(6)

•Napa: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
•Napa limits STRs to a maximum of 6 guests. Formula: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional (overnight)
•Napa enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
•Napa limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Napa requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Annual neighbor notification required, 24-hour contact person.

Penalties(2)

•Napa: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Napa enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by violation. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: Up to $500 per day. Maximum fine: Uncapped based on duration. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(2)

•Napa: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Napa exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Stanly Ranch Master Plan owners (conditional).

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched 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.

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

California

Strict

The City of Los Angeles requires all short-term rental hosts to register for a Home-Sharing permit and only permits the rental of one's primary residence. Stays are capped at 120 days per year unless an Extended Home-Sharing permit is obtained, and rentals in RSO-regulated buildings or newer ADUs are strictly prohibited.

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Anaheim

California

Prohibited

Short-term rentals in Anaheim are strictly limited to approximately 277 'pre-moratorium' operators who were grandfathered in 2019. The city currently prohibits the issuance of any new STR permits. Allowed operators must follow rigid 'Good Neighbor' policies, enforce a 3-night minimum stay, and pay a 15% Transient Occupancy Tax.

Permit required

15.0% total tax

Mammoth Lakes

California

Moderate

Short-term rentals are heavily regulated in Mammoth Lakes and generally restricted to multi-family and resort zones (RMF-2, Resort, etc.). Hosts must obtain an STR Certificate and a Business Tax Certificate, and pay a total TOT rate of 13%. Stays of 31 days or longer are exempt from these regulations.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Big Bear Lake

California

Strict

The City of Big Bear Lake regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 5.44, requiring an annual license, rigorous safety inspections, and a strict guest limit of 2 per bedroom plus 2. Owners are limited to 2 licenses total and must remit a 9% combined TOT and TBID tax quarterly.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Napa

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

Requirements(17)

Application Process(10)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(6)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Napa

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Napa?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Napa?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Napa?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Napa?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Napa?

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Los Angeles

Anaheim

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