Are short-term rentals allowed in Solvang?

**No**, short-term rentals are currently prohibited in all residential zones within the City of Solvang. The city operates under a 'permissive zoning' approach, meaning that any use not explicitly listed as permitted is considered prohibited. Since STRs are not listed in Title 11, they are not legal.

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

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Solvang, as they are effectively banned. Hosts must comply with state and county regulations that may still apply. Always check with the Solvang zoning office before operating any rental to ensure compliance with all applicable laws.

What is the TOT tax rate in Solvang?

**12% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for rentals in Solvang. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. While STRs are currently prohibited, this tax would apply if regulations were to change and short-term rentals were permitted.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Solvang?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb in Solvang. Since short-term rentals are prohibited, tenants cannot legally operate them. Any changes to the city's regulations would need to explicitly address tenant hosting before it would be permissible under local law, so always check current regulations.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Solvang?

**Enforcement** of STR bans may result in fines. Operating an illegal short-term rental in Solvang could lead to penalties. As short-term rentals are effectively banned, you should contact the city planning and zoning department before operating any rental to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Solvang, CA Short-Term Rental Laws

Gold Standard Verification

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Forensically verified with 3+ official sources

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

Short-term rentals (stays less than 31 days) are currently prohibited in all residential zones within the City of Solvang. The city follows a 'permissive zoning' doctrine where any use not explicitly listed as permitted is considered prohibited; since STRs are not listed in Title 11, they are not legal. The City Council is periodically discussing potential regulations, but no ordinance has been adopted as of early 2024.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Explicitly prohibited citywide
•Residential STRs prohibited
•Banned in all/most residential zones
•All residential property types prohibited
•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

To host an Airbnb in Solvang, your rental must be for 31 days or longer. Short-term rentals (less than 31 days) are currently banned in all residential neighborhoods within the city limits. While you may see some listings online, they are operating in violation of city zoning laws. If you own a commercial property or hotel, different rules apply, but for standard homes and apartments, stays must be at least one month long.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.STRs are PROHIBITED in the City of Solvang; there is no permit to apply for.
2.Stays must be for 31 consecutive days or more to be legal in residential zones.
3.City limits of Solvang are small; unincorporated Santa Barbara County areas nearby (like Santa Ynez) have different rules.
4.The TOT rate is 12% for any lodging, though this primarily applies to hotels/motels in the city.
5.Using an ADU (Guest House) for short-term rentals is strictly forbidden.
6.The city actively monitors platforms like Airbnb for illegal listings in residential areas.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

•Solvang: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Solvang, CA: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Solvang prohibits STRs in the following property types: All residential zones, Single-family homes, Apartments, ADUs.

Requirements(13)

•Solvang: The city actively monitors platforms like Airbnb for illegal listings in residential areas.
•Solvang STR warning: City limits of Solvang are small; unincorporated Santa Barbara County areas nearby (like Santa Ynez) have different rules.
•Solvang STR warning: The city actively monitors platforms like Airbnb for illegal listings in residential areas.

Application Process(4)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Solvang: Step 1: Prohibition Verification - Short-term rentals (stays under 31 days) are currently not permitted in the residential zones of the City of Solvang. You should not attempt to apply for a permit as there is no legal framework for STRs in residential areas.

Taxes(2)

•Solvang: The TOT rate is 12% for any lodging, though this primarily applies to hotels/motels in the city.
•Solvang charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 12%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit TOT for Solvang, but this applies primarily to legal commercial lodgings.

Limits & Restrictions(3)

•Solvang: City limits of Solvang are small; unincorporated Santa Barbara County areas nearby (like Santa Ynez) have different rules.
•Solvang requires a minimum stay of 31 nights.
•Solvang enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM (General Noise Ordinance).

Penalties(1)

•Solvang enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by enforcement action; typically $100. Second offense: $200. Third offense: $500.

Exemptions(3)

•Solvang: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Solvang, CA: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Solvang exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).

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

Solvang

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

Requirements(13)

Application Process(4)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(3)

Penalties(1)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Solvang

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

1Are short-term rentals allowed in Solvang?

2Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Solvang?

3What is the TOT tax rate in Solvang?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Solvang?

5What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Solvang?

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

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