Yolo County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Farm stay - max guest rooms
- 6
- Farm stay - max guests
- 15
- Farm stay - special events/year
- 4 (max 50 attendees)
- B&B - max guest rooms
- 10
- Small B&B threshold
- 6 rooms or fewer
- Code Citation
- Yolo County Code Sec. 8-1.201; Sec. 8-2.306(l), (m)
Summary
Yolo County Code Sec. 8-2.306(m) caps farm stays at six guest rooms or 15 guests, and Sec. 8-2.306(l) and Sec. 8-1.201 cap bed and breakfast inns at ten guest rooms total (six rooms for the 'small' by-right tier). There are no occupancy caps for stand-alone vacation rentals because such use is not authorized in residential zones.
(m) Farm stays. (1) A 'farm stay' includes six (6) or fewer guestrooms or accommodates no more than 15 guests, in a single family dwelling, or main farm house, or accessory guest house, provided as part of a working farm or ranch operation. A farm stay may hold farm dinners for guests. A farm stay may hold no more than four special events per year, attended by no more than 50 attendees. A farm stay that exceeds these performance standards shall be processed as either a Special Event Facility or a Bed and Breakfast. (2) Farm stays are allowed in all of the agricultural zones, with the exception of the A-I zone, and in the RR-5 residential zone, provided that the project is designed to be compatible with any adjoining agricultural operations and single family residences... (i) An agricultural/farm stay must be located on and be a part of a farm or ranch that produces agricultural products as its primary source of income. An on-site farmer or rancher must be in residence on the property. Lodging and meals must be incidental to, and not the primary function of, the farm stay. (ii) The price of food must be included in the price of overnight accommodation.
Full Breakdown
Farm stay capacity is defined in Sec. ' A farm stay 'may hold no more than four special events per year, attended by no more than 50 attendees. A farm stay that exceeds these performance standards shall be processed as either a Special Event Facility or a Bed and Breakfast' (Sec. 306(m)(1)). Bed and breakfast inn capacity is defined in Sec. ' The small/large tier split is at six rooms (Sec. 306(l)(1)). Parking must be provided 'as set forth in Sec. , leachfields, to accommodate the number of guests and employees, if the project is not connected to public services' (Sec. 306(l)(2)(v) and Sec. 306(m)(2)(v)).
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the room or guest cap converts the use into a larger category (e.g., a farm stay exceeding 15 guests is reclassified as a Special Event Facility or B&B requiring a Minor or Major Use Permit) and may result in a zoning violation if operated without the upgraded permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can a Yolo County farm stay host?
What is the maximum size for a bed and breakfast?
Do children count toward the guest limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yolo County
California rules heatmap·Compare Yolo County to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
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