Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Butte County, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Butte County, CA, but with restrictions. STRs are restricted to certain zones (excluding VLDCR), require proof of primary residency in most cases, and are limited to five rented bedrooms. Occupancy is capped at 10 guests for septic systems and 14 for public sewers, while un-hosted stays are generally limited to 90 nights per year unless the parcel is 5+ acres. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

STRs are restricted to certain zones (excluding VLDCR), require proof of primary residency in most cases, and are limited to five rented bedrooms. Occupancy is capped at 10 guests for septic systems and 14 for public sewers, while un-hosted stays are generally limited to 90 nights per year unless the parcel is 5+ acres.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Butte County. 1. Submit a completed administrative permit application online via eTRAKiT or by mail/in-person to the Department of Development Services. 2. Pay the required application fee ($219.45 online or $219.35 via mail/in-person) and provide proof of residency (e.g., driver's license and utility bill). 3. Complete and submit a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Questionnaire to the Central Collections Division within 10 days of starting operations.

1. Submit a completed administrative permit application online via eTRAKiT or by mail/in-person to the Department of Development Services. 2. Pay the required application fee ($219.45 online or $219.35 via mail/in-person) and provide proof of residency (e.g., driver's license and utility bill). 3. Complete and submit a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Questionnaire to the Central Collections Division within 10 days of starting operations.

Vrbo is permitted in Butte County, CA under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Butte County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Butte County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.