Unincorporated Napa County heavily restricts short-term rentals. Unhosted 'vacation rentals' are prohibited unless grandfathered in before 2010. New STR activity is limited to 'hosted rentals' (a single room in an owner-occupied home) located only in Agricultural Preserve (AP) and Agricultural Watershed (AW) zones, which requires a lengthy and expensive Use Permit process.
To host an Airbnb in unincorporated Napa County, you must live in the home during the rental and your property must be in a specific Agricultural (AP or AW) zone. You can only rent out one room to a maximum of two guests. The biggest hurdle is that you need to get a 'Use Permit' from the county, which is a complicated, expensive process that can take several months and involves a large initial deposit of over $6,000. Unhosted, whole-home rentals are banned for new operators.
Permit Required
Yes
Night Limit
None
Primary Residence
Required
Total Tax Rate
12.0%
Disclaimer
This information is for general guidance only and should not be considered legal advice. Regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with local government authorities before operating a short-term rental.
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Permit Fee
$300
Processing Time
3-6 months
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