Vacaville, CA Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)

Chapter 3.16 (Transient Occupancy Tax) establishes Vacaville's TOT at 8% of the rent charged by the operator for the occupancy of any room or rooms in a hotel for stays of 30 consecutive days or less. The chapter defines 'hotel' broadly to include any structure or any portion of a structure occupied or intended to be occupied for dwelling, lodging, or sleeping purposes by a transient. Operators must register with the city, collect TOT from each transient, file returns on a quarterly schedule, and remit the tax. The TOT framework has not been comprehensively updated since 2003; the city held a first reading of modernization amendments in 2026 to add platform-collector provisions, audit tools, and a possible rate change for the November 2026 ballot, but those amendments and any rate increase above 8% are not yet effective as of May 2026. Effective October 1, 2023, the city contracted with HdL Companies for collection, return processing, and audit services; operators file directly with HdL rather than with the City. Chapter 3.17 created the Vacaville Hotel Business Improvement District (HBID) covering the entire incorporated area; the original assessment was 2% of rent. In May 2025 the Visit Vacaville board petitioned the City Council for an increase, and effective November 1, 2025 the assessment was increased to 4%, generating dedicated funding for tourism promotion administered through Visit Vacaville under a management agreement with the city. The assessment is layered on top of the 8% TOT, so a hotel guest stay is generally subject to a combined city-imposed occupancy charge of 12% (8% TOT + 4% tourism assessment), separate from any state and local sales tax on incidental charges.