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

There is no primary-residence-only rule for short-term rentals in unincorporated Solano County. The County's own definitions make this clear: a Vacation House Rental (VHR) is 'a dwelling that is offered or used for transient occupancy without a resident family present within the dwelling.' That is precisely a non-owner-occupied, whole-home short-term rental, and the County permits it through a Minor Use Permit rather than banning it. The County does maintain a separate hosted category - a Hosted Rental offering a single guest room (LUR 28.72.40(B)(5), Administrative Permit) - but operators are free to choose the non-hosted VHR path. The County's VHR FAQ even includes the question 'Are hosts required to be the owner of the short-term rental property?', signaling that ownership/occupancy is addressed in the program rather than imposed as a blanket primary-residence mandate. Practical limits come from zoning and fire-safety rules - for example, VHRs are not allowed in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and High FHSZ parcels must meet Section 28.75.30(A)(7)(b) - not from a residency requirement. Operators considering a second home or investment property as a VHR should confirm the property's zoning district allows the use and obtain the Minor Use Permit.