Colusa County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)

Colusa County does not impose a single 'primary residence only' rule across all rentals, because it has no dedicated STR ordinance. However, the owner-occupancy requirement is built into the specific lodging uses that most resemble a homestay. For a farmstay, Section 44-4.100.020(C) requires that 'the property owner shall reside in either the primary or secondary dwelling on-site,' and the guest rooms must be in that primary or secondary dwelling. For a bed-and-breakfast inn, Section 44-4.100.040(3) likewise requires that 'the property owner shall reside in either the primary or secondary dwellings on-site.' The Zoning Code's broader structure reinforces owner presence in residential settings - second units require that 'the property owner must occupy either the primary or second unit on a parcel' (44-4.10.040), recorded by a deed restriction (44-4.10.100). By contrast, a stand-alone, non-owner-occupied vacation rental is not an expressly listed use in Article 44-4.100, so an operator wanting to rent an entire home where the owner does not live on-site would generally need to pursue a Use Permit and demonstrate compatibility with the zone. Hosts should confirm with Planning and Building whether their intended arrangement fits the owner-occupied farmstay/B&B path or requires discretionary review.