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Yolo County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified June 2026

Short-term rental permit rules in Yolo County, CA, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.

Key Facts

Zoning Code Citation
Yolo County Code Title 8, Sec. 8-2.306(l)-(m); Sec. 8-1.201 definitions
B&B - Small (<=6 rooms)
Site Plan Review in A-N, A-X, A-R, A-C (not A-I)
B&B - Large (7-10 rooms)
Minor Use Permit
Farm Stay (<=6 rooms / 15 guests)
Allowed by right in agricultural zones + RR-5 if standards met
Hotels/Motels in residential
Not allowed in any residential zone
TOT Registration
Required - Yolo County Code Sec. 3-7.06

Summary

Unincorporated Yolo County has no general short-term rental permit. Title 8 only authorizes transient lodging as bed and breakfast inns (Sec. 8-2.306(l)) and farm stays (Sec. 8-2.306(m)) in agricultural and limited rural-residential zones via Site Plan Review or Minor/Major Use Permit; hotels and motels are not allowed in residential zones at all.

City-specific rules exist: West Sacramento has its own short-term rental permits rules that differ from Yolo County's county-level regulations. If you live in West Sacramento, check the city-specific page instead.

(l) Bed and breakfasts. (1) A 'small' bed and breakfast is defined as one which has six (6) guest rooms or less; and that holds less than twelve special events per year and the events have less than 150 attendees; and which generates less than 100 vehicle trips on any given day of operations (such as a wedding). A 'large' bed and breakfast has more than six guest rooms and less than ten (10) guest rooms, and/or holds more than twelve special events per year, and/or generates more than 100 vehicle trips on any given day of operations. (2) Small bed and breakfasts are allowed with the issuance of a Site Plan Review in all of the agricultural zones, with the exception of the A-I zone, provided that the project is designed to be compatible with any adjoining agricultural operations and single family residences. Large bed and breakfasts are subject to a Minor Use Permit... (i) All guest rooms must be located within and accessible through the main single-family dwelling. Alternatively, a minority of guest rooms may be located outside the primary residence in ancillary dwelling(s), or other buildings constructed or renovated for habitable use, with the issuance of a Major Use Permit. (ii) Food service must be restricted to breakfast or a similar early morning meal. The price of food must be included in the price of overnight accommodation.

Full Breakdown

Yolo County Title 8 (Land Development and Zoning) does not contain a stand-alone vacation rental / short-term rental ordinance. Transient lodging is regulated through three land-use categories. (1) 'Bed and Breakfast (B&B)' is defined in Sec. ' Per Sec. 306(l), small B&Bs (six rooms or fewer) require a Site Plan Review in agricultural zones; large B&Bs (7-10 rooms) require a Minor Use Permit. (2) 'Farm stay' is defined in Sec. ' Farm stays are governed by Sec. 306(m) and must be on a working farm with an on-site farmer-resident.

304(b) are allowed only in agricultural zones (A-C, A-I, A-N with SP/UP(m)) and are listed 'N' (not allowed) in residential zones. Stand-alone vacation rentals of single-family homes are not addressed and would not fit any allowed-use category in residential zones (RR-1, RR-5, R-L). Operators must also register with the Yolo County Treasurer-Tax Collector under Title 3 Chapter 7 (Sec. 06).

Violations & Fines

Operating an unpermitted bed and breakfast, farm stay, or hotel is a zoning violation enforceable as a misdemeanor or infraction under the general enforcement provisions of Title 8 and may be abated by the Planning Director.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run an Airbnb in unincorporated Yolo County?
There is no general short-term rental permit. The only forms of transient lodging Title 8 explicitly authorizes are bed and breakfasts (owner-occupied, max 10 rooms) under Sec. 8-2.306(l) and farm stays (on a working farm, farmer in residence, max 6 rooms / 15 guests) under Sec. 8-2.306(m). Both require land-use approval and are limited to agricultural and limited rural-residential zones.
Do I need an owner-occupant for a bed and breakfast?
Yes. Sec. 8-1.201 defines a Bed and Breakfast as 'A single-family dwelling, and accessory buildings, with an owner in residence,' and Sec. 8-2.306(l)(2)(i) requires that 'All guest rooms must be located within and accessible through the main single-family dwelling.'
What about farm stays - do I have to be a working farm?
Yes. Sec. 8-2.306(m)(2)(i) requires the farm stay '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.'

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Yolo County

All Yolo County rules

How Yolo County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·California rules heatmap·Compare Yolo County to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview

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