Napa Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Vacation Rental Permit - Hosted Accommodation

The property must be your primary residence. This means investment properties are not eligible for this permit type.

Vacation Rental Permit - Non-Hosted Accommodation

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Applications accepted only during advertised submittal periods (currently closed; waitlist only). Applicants are randomly selected/sequentially numbered (lottery) up to the permit caps; requires application/processing fee, neighbor mailing notice, and an annual inspection. New applications are not being accepted at this time.

Note: Document requirements vary by permit type. See individual permit sections above for eligibility details.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 15% of gross rental income.

Collection: Operator self-remits transient occupancy tax to the City of Napa using the TOT remittance form.

Filing: Monthly; return due by the 10th day of the calendar month following the month subsequent to the reporting period, filed with the City of Napa Finance Department.

Rental Limits

Napa does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.

Occupancy & Density Limits

No more than 2 persons per qualifying bedroom plus 2 additional persons per unit; in no case more than 10 persons may sleep at the unit. Hosted accommodations: no more than 2 bedrooms rented.

Zoning & Restrictions

STRs (transient occupancy) are prohibited in all residential and nonresidential zoning districts unless the city has approved a vacation rental permit (or hotel/B&B/glamping permit). Permits are capped at 41 non-hosted and 60 hosted; all permits have been issued and new applications are not being accepted (waitlists only).

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Napa does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.

Safety & Operating Requirements

• Address visible from the street in contrasting colors for emergency responders
• Smoke detectors installed per the California Building Code
• No double-keyed dead bolts on exit doors
• A portable fire extinguisher provided
• Exit doors unobstructed and able to fully open
• Clearance maintained from ignition sources (luminaries, heaters, flame-producing devices)
• Hot ashes/coals disposed in a metal container with tight-fitting lid, 10+ feet from building
• BBQs and open fires in an approved appliance or enclosure
• No exposed/open electrical wiring in outlets, switches, or junction boxes
• Electrical breaker box labeled with no open slots
• Garage firewall with no penetrations in sheet rock
• Each bedroom must have an emergency escape or rescue exit
• Informational packet of emergency numbers prepared for renters

Penalties for Non-Compliance

$500 for a first violation; $750 for a second violation of the same code section within 12 months; $1,000 for each day of each additional violation of the same code section within 12 months.

Platform Requirements

• Every advertisement (paper or electronic) for a vacation rental must include the "City of Napa Certified Vacation Rental" permit number
• Advertising an unpermitted property for transient occupancy is prohibited.

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Napa:

1. Determine your permit type. Napa has 2 permit types. Identify which applies to your property (Vacation Rental Permit - Hosted Accommodation, Vacation Rental Permit - Non-Hosted Accommodation).
2. Meet safety requirements. Address visible from the street in contrasting colors for emergency responders. Smoke detectors installed per the California Building Code. No double-keyed dead bolts on exit doors. A portable fire extinguisher provided. Exit doors unobstructed and able to fully open. Clearance maintained from ignition sources (luminaries, heaters, flame-producing devices). Hot ashes/coals disposed in a metal container with tight-fitting lid, 10+ feet from building. BBQs and open fires in an approved appliance or enclosure. No exposed/open electrical wiring in outlets, switches, or junction boxes. Electrical breaker box labeled with no open slots. Garage firewall with no penetrations in sheet rock. Each bedroom must have an emergency escape or rescue exit. Informational packet of emergency numbers prepared for renters.
3. Apply for your STR permit. Submit application + $570 fee. See permit types above to determine which applies.
4. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with City of Napa Finance Department.
5. Display your permit number. Include your permit/license number in all listings and advertisements.
6. Collect and remit taxes. 15% on all bookings.
7. Renew annually. $674 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Napa?

Yes. Napa requires a short-term rental permit to operate an Airbnb or Vrbo, and there are 2 permit types — one requires the property to be your primary residence, and another allows non-owner-occupied (investment) use. See the permit types above to find which applies to your property.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Napa?

A short-term rental permit in Napa costs $570.

Does Napa require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?

It depends on the permit type. At least one Napa permit requires the property to be your primary residence, while another allows non-owner-occupied (investment) use — see the permit types above.

How many days a year can you short-term rent in Napa?

Napa does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Napa?

Short-term rental stays in Napa are subject to a combined 15% in lodging taxes. This combines 12% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) + 1% Affordable & Workforce Housing Special Tax + 2% Tourism Improvement District (TID) Assessment. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.

What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Napa?

Operating without a permit can cost up to $1,000 per day.