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Napa · Renting & eviction

Short-term rentals in Napa

In residential zones, Napa allows short-stay lodging only with a vacation rental permit (hosted or non-hosted) or a bed and breakfast use permit.

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Key points

  • Short-term rentals: In residential zones, Napa allows short-stay lodging only with a vacation rental permit (hosted or non-hosted) or a bed and breakfast use permit.

Each rule below links to the section of the Napa Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Napa's code says

Napa code What Napa's code adds
Allowed
  • Limited. Only with a vacation rental permit (hosted or non-hosted) or a bed and breakfast use permit.
    Applies: Otherwise short-stay lodging is not allowed in residential zones.
    § 17.52.515 · code text
    transient occupancy uses are not permitted or conditionally permitted in residential or nonresidential zoning districts, unless either: (i) the city has approved a hotel use in a nonresidential zoning district pursuant to Title 17, or (ii) the city has approved a use permit for a bed and breakfast inn pursuant to Section 17.52.060 of this chapter, or (iii) the city has approved a vacation rental permit pursuant to this section.
Permit or registration
  • Yes. A vacation rental permit is required.
    § 17.52.515 · code text
    The term "vacation rental" shall be used to include all vacation rental businesses operating pursuant to a 2009 permit, all hosted accommodation vacation rentals, and all non-hosted accommodation vacation rentals.
Primary residence
  • Only for hosted rentals.
    Applies: Hosted: the owner lives and sleeps at the unit while rented, and no more than 2 bedrooms are rented. Non-hosted rentals: not required.
    § 17.52.515 · code text
    "Hosted accommodation" means a vacation rental business for which the owner resides at the vacation rental unit, and the owner sleeps at the vacation rental unit while it is being rented, and no more than two bedrooms are rented for transient occupancy pursuant to this section.
  • No. The agent does not have to live at the rental unit.
    Applies: Non-hosted rentals.
    § 17.52.515 · code text
    "Non-hosted accommodation" means a vacation rental business for which the authorized agent is not required to reside at the vacation rental unit which is rented for transient occupancy pursuant to this section.

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent out my home short-term in Napa?

In residential zones, Napa allows short-stay lodging only with a vacation rental permit (hosted or non-hosted) or a bed and breakfast use permit.

General information, not legal advice.

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