Permit Requirements: Fairfield vs Vallejo
How do permit requirements rules compare between Fairfield, CA and Vallejo, CA?
Vallejo has fewer restrictions than Fairfield.
Fairfield, CA
Solano County
Fairfield does not allow whole-home short-term rentals of fewer than 30 days in residentially zoned districts. The City's Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 25 of the Fairfield Municipal Code) does not list 'vacation rental,' 'transient rental,' or 'short-term lodging' as permitted residential uses, and the City's Code Enforcement unit has treated sub-30-day Airbnb-style rentals in residential zones as zoning violations. Rentals of 30 days or longer are permitted and trigger a Certificate of Rental Occupancy (CRO). A limited number of transient lodging uses (hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts) are allowed only in commercial and mixed-use zoning districts subject to use permit review.
View full Fairfield rules →Vallejo, CA
Solano County
Vallejo allows short-term rentals with registration and TOT collection. The waterfront and Mare Island areas attract tourism-driven STR activity. Hosts must register with the city and comply with safety and occupancy standards.
View full Vallejo rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fairfield | Vallejo |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-30-Day Rental in Residential Zones | Not permitted (Chapter 25) | - |
| 30+ Day Rentals | Allowed (CRO required) | - |
| Hotels/Motels | Commercial zones only | - |
| TOT Registration | Required even on permitted uses | - |
| Enforcement | FPD Code Enforcement (707-428-7587) | - |
| Code Authority | Fairfield Municipal Code Ch. 25 (Zoning) | - |
| Registration | - | Required with city |
| TOT | - | Required collection |
| Tourism | - | Waterfront and Mare Island |
| Safety | - | Building/fire codes apply |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fairfield FAQ
Can I list my Fairfield home on Airbnb for weekend stays?
No, not in a residentially zoned district. Fairfield's Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 25) does not list short-term rentals as a permitted residential use, so sub-30-day rentals in R-1, R-2, R-3, and residential overlay districts are zoning violations enforceable through the Police Department's Code Enforcement Unit. Rentals of 30 days or longer are allowed but require a Certificate of Rental Occupancy and must comply with California landlord-tenant law (including AB 1482). Confirm zoning of your specific parcel with the Planning Division at (707) 428-7461 before listing.
Are there exceptions for hosted-room rentals or ADUs?
The Municipal Code does not carve out a hosted-room or ADU exception from the residential-zone short-term rental prohibition. State ADU law (Government Code §§65852.2 and 65852.22) requires Fairfield to permit ADUs as a residential use but does not require the City to permit short-term rental of those ADUs; Fairfield may (and does) restrict ADUs to long-term tenancies of 30+ days. Bed-and-breakfast operations are allowed only in commercial or mixed-use zones with a use permit.
Vallejo FAQ
Do I need a permit to Airbnb my home?
Yes. Vallejo requires an STR permit and business license before listing.
What safety equipment is needed?
Smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, and posted exit routes are standard requirements.
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