Sutter County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- STR occupancy cap
- None in county code
- Persons-per-bedroom rule
- None STR-specific
- Governing standards
- CA Building / Housing Code, Health & Safety Code
- Septic-served properties
- Limited by onsite wastewater capacity (Environmental Health)
Summary
Sutter County has no short-term-rental-specific occupancy cap. Because no STR ordinance exists, guest numbers are governed only by the California Building and Health & Safety codes and general zoning density standards, not by a dedicated county STR rule.
(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, the building standards adopted and submitted by the department for approval pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 18935) of Part 2.5, and the other rules and regulations that are contained in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, as adopted, amended, or repealed from time to time pursuant to this chapter shall be adopted by reference, except that the building standards and rules and regulations shall include any additions or deletions made by the department. The building standards and rules and regulations shall impose substantially the same requirements as are contained in the most recent editions of the following international or uniform industry codes as adopted by the organizations specified: (1) The Uniform Housing Code of the International Conference of Building Officials, except its definition of "substandard building."
Full Breakdown
Neither County Code Chapter 150 (Hotel/Motel Surcharge) nor the Zoning Code (Chapter 1500) sets a maximum number of guests, a persons-per-bedroom limit, or a total-occupancy cap specific to short-term rentals in the unincorporated area. The Chapter 150 definitions address only what counts as taxable transient occupancy (30 days or less); they do not limit headcount. Article 27 of the Zoning Code does not define 'short-term rental' or 'transient lodging,' so there is no STR-tailored density standard. In the absence of a local cap, occupancy is constrained by generally applicable law: the California Building Standards Code and the Uniform Housing Code limits on occupants relative to habitable room area, California Health & Safety Code overcrowding standards, and the septic/onsite-wastewater capacity that Sutter County Environmental Health enforces for properties on septic systems.
Any guest count that creates a public nuisance can also be addressed under the county's general nuisance and code-enforcement authority. Operators should confirm allowable occupancy through Building Services and Environmental Health rather than relying on a county STR occupancy formula, which does not exist.
Violations & Fines
There is no STR occupancy-limit penalty because no such limit is codified. Overcrowding beyond Building/Housing Code or septic-capacity limits is enforced by Sutter County Building Services and Environmental Health, and nuisance-level overcrowding is abatable under the county's general nuisance provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can my Sutter County short-term rental hold?
Does Chapter 150 limit how many people can stay?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sutter County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sutter County to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.