A Resident's Guide to Vacaville's Local Ordinances

Vacaville is a mid-sized city in Solano County, California, with about 102000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 100 ordinances across 30 categories that affect daily life in Vacaville.

Parking Rules

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions: Vacaville Municipal Code §10.20.020(N) prohibits parking any commercial vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or more on any street within 600 feet of an occupied dwelling, unless a special temporary parking permit has been obtained from the Police Department. The City also designates official truck routes under VMC Chapter 10.32..

Also covered: RV & Boat Parking (moderate), Overnight Parking (moderate), Street Parking Limits (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Vacaville for details.

Property Maintenance

Trash Bin Storage: Vacaville single-family residents receive three carts from Recology Vacaville Solano: a gray garbage cart, a blue recycling cart, and a green organics cart. Carts must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m.

Also covered: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (permissive), Property Blight (moderate), Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Vacaville for details.

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Events: Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 9.16 (Loudspeakers, Sound Amplifiers and Lighting Equipment) requires advance registration with the City for the use of loudspeakers or sound amplifiers in or upon any building, vehicle, or open-air location. Amplified sound that disturbs nearby residents independently violates the Chapter 8.10 nuisance standard.

Also covered: Leaf Blower Rules (moderate), Aircraft Noise (moderate), Construction Hours (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Vacaville for details.

Trash & Recycling

Illegal Dumping: Illegal dumping in Vacaville is prosecuted under California Penal Code §374.3, which prohibits dumping waste matter on public or private property without the consent of the owner. State penalties scale from $250 for a first conviction to $1,000+ for repeat offenders, with a possible $3,000 fine and county-jail time for commercial-quantity dumping.

Also covered: Recycling Requirements (moderate), Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Bin Placement Rules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Vacaville for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Vending Zones: Vacaville introduced Chapter 5.40 (Sidewalk Vending) of the Vacaville Municipal Code on February 10, 2026, regulating stationary and roaming pedestrian-path vending consistent with California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946, codified at Cal. Gov't Code Section 51036 et seq.) and SB 972 (which amended Cal.

Also covered: Food Truck Permits (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Vacaville for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Vacaville Municipal Code Section 14.09.250.060 prohibits removing or destroying any tree six inches or more in diameter at breast height (DBH) on public or private property without a Tree Removal Permit issued by the Director of Community Development. The application takes a minimum of 21 days, requires arborist information where applicable, and may require replacement trees as a condition of approval..

Also covered: Composting (moderate), Weed Ordinances (moderate), Native Plants (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for Vacaville for details.

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Vacaville Municipal Code §14.09.132.150 (Temporary Signs Allowed Without a Sign Permit) treats political signs as a content-neutral category of temporary sign. Political signs may be placed beginning 90 calendar days before any official election in Solano County, and all political signs must be removed no later than 30 days after Election Day.

Animal Ordinances

Exotic Pets: Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 6.04 prohibits wild species from running at large or being pastured/staked in the City. Possession of restricted species (large cats, monkeys, venomous snakes, alligators, ferrets) is controlled primarily by California Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 671 and the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, which requires a Restricted Species Permit.

Also covered: Beekeeping (moderate), Pet Limits (moderate), Dog Leash Laws (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Vacaville for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Vacaville requires every new or substantially remodeled pool or spa to incorporate at least two of seven Pool Safety Act features under Health & Safety Code 115922, one of which is typically an isolation barrier under CBC 3109.4. The barrier must be at least 60 inches tall, with a gate latch at least 54 inches above the ground, and openings no more than 4 inches..

Also covered: Safety Rules (strict), Pool Permits (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Vacaville for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 9.18 (Peddlers and Solicitors) makes it unlawful to act as a peddler within Vacaville without first obtaining a license issued under the chapter. Every peddler and solicitor must provide full name, business address, and telephone number, as well as the same information for any person, firm, or entity on whose behalf the solicitation is being made.

Rental Property Rules

Just Cause Eviction: Vacaville has not adopted a local just-cause eviction ordinance. Eviction grounds at Vacaville addresses are governed by the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), codified at California Civil Code Section 1946.2.

Also covered: Rental Registration (permissive), Rental Inspection Programs (permissive), Security Deposit Rules (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for Vacaville for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: The City of Vacaville has not adopted a stand-alone drone or unmanned aircraft system (UAS) ordinance regulating recreational or commercial drone flight. Drone operation over and within Vacaville is governed primarily by federal law - the Federal Aviation Administration's 14 C.F.R.

Building Safety

Fire Sprinkler Requirements: Vacaville requires automatic fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family dwellings under California Residential Code §R313 (adopted by VMC Chapter 15.20.251), designed and installed to NFPA 13D as adopted in California. Multifamily and commercial buildings use NFPA 13R or NFPA 13.

Also covered: Lead Paint (moderate), Pest Control (moderate). See the full building safety guide for Vacaville for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Vacaville enforces California's Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code 115921-115929) and California Building Code Section 3109. Every new or remodeled in-ground pool requires at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention safety features.

Also covered: Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate), Height Limits (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Vacaville for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: Vacaville does not require a separate garage-sale permit for ordinary residential yard sales. Garage-sale signs are treated as content-neutral temporary signs allowed without a sign permit under Vacaville Municipal Code §14.09.132.150, with the same placement rules as other temporary signs (private property only, owner consent, no public right-of-way or City property, removal after the sale).

Short-Term Rentals

Permit Requirements: The City of Vacaville does not issue a short-term rental (STR) permit and has not adopted a stand-alone STR licensing chapter. Under Title 14 (Land Use and Development Code) of the Vacaville Municipal Code, a rental of less than thirty (30) consecutive days falls within the 'hotel/motel' or 'bed and breakfast' use classification rather than 'dwelling, single-family' or 'dwelling, multifamily,' and lodging uses are limited to commercial zoning districts under Chapter 14.09.070 (Commercial and Mixed-Use Zoning Districts).

Also covered: Taxes & Fees (moderate), Parking Rules (moderate), Noise Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Vacaville for details.

Fire Regulations

Brush Clearance: Vacaville requires property owners to keep land clear of dry weeds, vegetation, and rubbish under Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 8.04 (Abatement of Weeds and Rubbish). On or about June 1 each year, Code Enforcement inspects properties citywide.

Also covered: Fire Pit Rules (moderate), Outdoor Burning (strict), Propane Storage (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Vacaville for details.

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: The City of Vacaville imposes a Transient Occupancy Tax of 8% on the rent charged for occupancy of any hotel, motel, or other lodging facility for stays of 30 consecutive days or less under Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 3.16 (Transient Occupancy Tax). On top of the TOT, Chapter 3.17 (Vacaville Hotel Business Improvement District) imposes a tourism marketing assessment that increased from 2% to 4% effective November 1, 2025, generating dedicated revenue for tourism promotion administered through Visit Vacaville under a management agreement with the city.

Business Licensing & Operations

Secondhand Dealers: Vacaville has not codified a stand-alone secondhand-dealer or pawnbroker chapter in the Vacaville Municipal Code. Secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers operating within the city are governed by the California Business and Professions Code Sections 21625 through 21647 (the Secondhand Dealer/Pawnbroker statute) and Cal.

Also covered: Tobacco Retail License (moderate). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Vacaville for details.

Public Conduct

Loud Party Ordinance: Vacaville has not adopted a stand-alone 'unruly gathering' or 'party house' ordinance with second-response cost recovery. Loud parties at any address are enforced through three layered chapters: Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 8.10 (Abatement of Public Nuisance, including Section 8.10.030's noise standard); Chapter 9.20 (Abatement of Community Safety Violations), which targets disturbances at gatherings where alcohol or drugs are consumed or accessible, and where occupant load exceeds permitted limits at public assemblies; and Chapter 9.61 (Social Host Ordinance), which imposes joint and several civil liability on hosts of gatherings where minors obtain, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages, including parental liability where the host is a juvenile..

Also covered: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for Vacaville for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Lot Coverage Limits: Maximum lot coverage in Vacaville is set by zoning district under Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 14.09.060 (Residential Zoning Districts), with district-specific tables. Table 14.09.060.D applies to accessory structures in the RR (Rural Residential) and RE (Residential Estate) districts.

Also covered: Structure Height Limits (moderate), Setback Rules (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Vacaville for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: The City of Vacaville maintains a juvenile curfew ordinance at Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 9.34 (Curfew). The chapter generally makes it unlawful for a minor (a person under 18 years of age) to be present in or upon any public place, public street, highway, road, lane, park, playground, public building, place of amusement or entertainment, vacant lot, or other public ground during defined curfew hours, subject to enumerated defenses including being accompanied by a parent or guardian, traveling directly to or from lawful employment, engaged in lawful interstate travel, attending an official school, religious, or other lawfully-organized activity, or responding to an emergency.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 14.18 (Flood Damage Prevention) governs construction in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas. Significant portions of central and east Vacaville along Alamo Creek, Ulatis Creek, Laguna Creek, and Horse Creek sit in Zone A or AE on FEMA's FIRM maps.

Also covered: Stormwater Management (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Vacaville for details.

Permit Requirements

Renovation Permits: Renovation and remodel work in Vacaville requires building, electrical, plumbing, and/or mechanical permits issued by the Vacaville Building Division under Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 15.20 (which adopts the 2022 California Building Standards Codes). Permits are processed through the City's eTRAKiT online portal at permits.cityofvacaville.com..

Tree Protection

Heritage & Protected Trees: Vacaville does not maintain a formal numeric Heritage Tree size threshold separate from its citywide 6-inch DBH rule, but VMC Chapter 14.09.250 (Resource Protection) gives heightened protection to trees within designated Resource Protection areas - including native oak woodlands in Lagoon Valley, the Vaca Hills, and certain ridgelines. Large, mature, and historically significant trees are protected through Tree Removal Permit conditions, higher replacement ratios, and discretionary-review tree-preservation conditions..

Also covered: Tree Replacement Requirements (moderate), Tree Removal Permits (strict). See the full tree protection guide for Vacaville for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Vacaville permits ADUs and JADUs ministerially under VMC 14.09.122 in conformance with California Government Code 66310 et seq. (renumbered from 65852.2 effective 2024).

Also covered: Shed Rules (permissive), ADU Impact Fees (permissive), Garage Conversions (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Vacaville for details.

Outdoor Cooking

BBQ & Propane Rules: Vacaville adopts the California Fire Code under VMC Title 15. CFC 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction at apartments, condos, and townhomes.

Also covered: Outdoor Kitchen Permits (moderate). See the full outdoor cooking guide for Vacaville for details.

Home Business

Customer Traffic Restrictions: VMC 14.09.270 expressly prohibits client/customer visits to a Vacaville home occupation to procure goods or services, allows only occasional postal/parcel deliveries by standard residential carriers, and bars outdoor storage of business vehicles or equipment. Excess vehicle trips beyond normal residential character trigger Code Enforcement action..

Also covered: Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Signage Rules (strict). See the full home business guide for Vacaville for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Vacaville offers instant online solar permitting through the Symbium automated platform under SB 379 (Health & Safety Code 17959.5). Residential rooftop PV up to 10 kW and 30 kW thermal qualify for streamlined review under AB 2188 (Gov.

Holiday Decorations

Holiday Light Rules: Vacaville has no municipal ordinance limiting holiday lights on private residential property. The sign code (VMC 14.09.260) exempts temporary holiday and seasonal displays.

What to Do With This Information

This overview covers the big picture, but the details matter. Each ordinance page for Vacaville includes the full text, violation penalties, and frequently asked questions. Use those pages when you need specifics.