Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Sacramento County, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Sacramento County, CA, but with restrictions. STRs are limited to stays of 29 days or less and must be accessory to a primary residence where the host lives at least six months per year. Maximum occupancy is two adults per bedroom; ADUs are only eligible if permitted before January 1, 2020, and commercial events are prohibited. 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 limited to stays of 29 days or less and must be accessory to a primary residence where the host lives at least six months per year. Maximum occupancy is two adults per bedroom; ADUs are only eligible if permitted before January 1, 2020, and commercial events are prohibited.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Sacramento County. Apply online via the RentalScape portal to submit a combined application for an STR Permit, Business License, and TOT registration. Applicants must upload proof of primary residency and ownership/lease documents and pay a nonrefundable fee of $452.66.

Apply online via the RentalScape portal to submit a combined application for an STR Permit, Business License, and TOT registration. Applicants must upload proof of primary residency and ownership/lease documents and pay a nonrefundable fee of $452.66.

Vrbo is permitted in Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.