Napa County · checked 2026-09-16
Can you BnB it in Napa?
RestrictedNapa requires a vacation rental permit, issued as either a hosted permit (owner must live and sleep on site) or a non hosted permit, with counts limited through annual waiting lists. Hosted permits never transfer to a buyer; non hosted permits transfer only if the purchaser files the required submittals and fees before the permit expires.
The rules, with their sources
Permit or licenseA permit or license is required before operating.L117.52.515(A)(3) · code text · checked 2026-09-16
Hosted onlyThe code does not limit rentals to hosted stays.L117.52.515 (Vacation Rental Ordinance); waiting list mechanism dates to January 1, 2017 per subsection G; last updated 2017 per the city's zoning consistency memo · code text · checked 2026-09-16
Primary residenceThe code does not require the rental to be the operator's primary residence.L117.52.515(C)(3)(b) · code text · checked 2026-09-16
Caps and limitsPermit numbers are limited: the Director maintains a waiting list of applicants and a list of available permits, one set for hosted and one for non hosted accommodations, updated at least annually (17.52.515(G)). The numeric caps were not yet recorded from the code text; the city program page states them.L117.52.515(G) · code text · checked 2026-09-16
Transfer when the home sellsHosted accommodation permits are not transferable by any person (F.1). Non hosted permits can survive a sale conditionally: before the permit expires, the purchaser must submit to the Director all submittals and fee payments required under subsections (C)(3) and (D)(3) (F.2.b); miss the window and the permit lapses. Full F.2 text, including any deadline windows in F.2.a, still needs a browser read.L117.52.515(F)(1) · code text · checked 2026-09-16
Read the code text →
In the city's own words
17.52.515(A)(3)“The City Council hereby finds that the adoption of a comprehensive ordinance regulating the issuance of and operating conditions attached to vacation rental permits is necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare.” source
17.52.515(C)(3)(b)“Identify whether the application is for a hosted accommodation or a non-hosted accommodation. If the vacation rental is proposed as a hosted accommodation, provide adequate documentation that establishes the owner will reside at the vacation rental unit.” source
17.52.515(F)(1)“A hosted accommodation vacation rental permit shall not be transferred by any person.” source
17.52.515(F)(2)(b)“Prior to the expiration of the permit, the purchaser shall submit to the Director all submittals and fee payments required pursuant to subsections (C)(3) and (D)(3) of this section.” source
Citation: 17.52.515 (Vacation Rental Ordinance); waiting list mechanism dates to January 1, 2017 per subsection G; last updated 2017 per the city's zoning consistency memo
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How this page was verified
Verified from the municipal code (level 1), checked on 2026-09-16 by the CanIBnB research desk. Research is AI assisted and human reviewed; the method, the level system, and the re-check schedule are on the How we verify page. If anything here is wrong, report it and it goes in the public corrections log.