Vallejo Short Term Rental Regulation: A Guide For Airbnb Hosts

What are short term rental (Airbnb, VRBO) regulations in Vallejo, California?

Short term rental regulations in Vallejo can be found in the city's zoning code and ordinances. Vallejo currently prohibits short term rentals and does not issue permits for them to operate14.

Despite the ban, some hosts on Reddit indicate operating Airbnbs in Vallejo without permits to avoid the paperwork involved. However, they risk fines for non-compliant listings if caught by the city2.

Overall Vallejo takes more stringent enforcement approaches to short term rental rules compared to other California cities that allow and regulate short term rentals instead of banning them outright.

While banned in the Vallejo city limits, Solano County which surrounds Vallejo does issue some short term rental permits. Currently there are 5 permitted and compliant short term rentals operating in the unincorporated parts of Solano County near Vallejo.

Starting a Short Term Rental Business in Vallejo

Vallejo presents an interesting opportunity for those looking to earn supplemental income through short-term vacation rentals. Its location close to Napa Valley wine country, San Francisco, and other Bay Area hotspots makes it an attractive and affordable alternative to more expensive destinations.

However, the city does have regulations in place for short term rental hosts. Unlike some cities that have few requirements, Vallejo mandates that all hosts obtain a permit, pay transient occupancy taxes, and comply with various rules.

While this does create more paperwork, the permitting process helps legitimize short term rental businesses and prevents issues seen in cities with lax oversight.

Hosts who make the effort to get properly permitted reap the rewards of running their business legally.For those new to short term renting, the steps to get started in Vallejo are:

Research the regulations. Learn about permit requirements, taxes, zoning restrictions, and documents needed to apply. Vallejo has informative resources online to study.

Prepare a business plan. Calculate costs and potential income, develop a booking strategy, and create processes for cleaning, maintenance etc.

Obtain the short term rental permit. Submit required documents like floor plans, proof of insurance etc. to get approved.

Set up transient occupancy tax collection. Create a process to collect taxes from guests and remit payments to the city each quarter.

List your property and launch! Finish prepping your space, take professional photos and create appealing listing content to attract vacationers.

Short Term Rental Licensing Requirement in Vallejo

Unlike some cities that take a hands-off approach, Vallejo requires hosts to obtain permits and abide by regulations to legally operate short term rentals. This licensing requirement applies to all properties listed on platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and more.

The permitting process acts as a quality control mechanism - hosts must submit documents, comply with safety standards, pay taxes, and renew licenses annually.

This aims to address issues like noise, trash, parking, and zoning that sometimes arise with short term rental properties.

Here’s an overview of Vallejo’s short term rental permitting:

Permit Must Be Obtained Before Listing PropertyBefore listing on any platform, all aspiring hosts in Vallejo need to proactively apply for and receive a short term rental permit. The city issues separate permits for hosted stays (owner present) vs unhosted stays.Permits Must Be Renewed Every YearThe short term rental permit is not a one-time requirement. Vallejo hosts must renew permits annually and remain compliant with regulations to continue operating.Safety and Zoning Documentation Must Be ProvidedThe permit application requires submitting details like floor plans, site maps, parking arrangements, proof of insurance, contact information, and more. This allows the city to verify zoning allowances and safety standards are met.Transient Occupancy Registration is Also NeededAlong with the short term rental permit, hosts must obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate. This enables tax collection and remittance.Handling the permitting process requires attention to detail. However, legal compliance protects hosts from steep fines while also helping Vallejo balance tourism growth with community livability. Understanding the requirements from the outset makes navigating short term rental hosting much simpler.

Required Documents for Vallejo Short Term Rentals

The following documents are required to apply for a short term rental permit in Vallejo1:

• Short Term Rental Permit Application
• Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate Application
• Floor Plan
• Site Plan
• Proof of Insurance
• Contact Information
• Transient Occupancy Tax Forms

Vallejo Short Term Rental Taxes

As a short-term rental host in Vallejo, one of your key responsibilities is properly collecting and remitting transient occupancy taxes, commonly known as TOT. Here is a straightforward overview of how short-term rental taxes work in Vallejo:

Vallejo imposes a 11% TOT rate on the rent charged to guests for short-term lodging. This tax is paid by the guests and collected by hosts on the city's behalf.

As a host, you are liable for collecting the TOT from guests and sending it to the city each month, regardless of whether your guests actually paid it or not. The taxes are due to the city by the last day of the following month - for example, taxes for rentals in January would be due by February 28th.

TOT payments should include a completed tax return form that details rental revenue, taxes collected, and any exemptions. You can claim qualified exemptions by also submitting an Exemption Claim Form. All original forms and copies of remittance checks should be mailed to the City of Vallejo Finance Department by the due date each month.

If payment deadlines fall on a weekend or holiday, they shift to the next business day. Late payments incur penalties and interest charges that can add up quickly, so make sure you have a system in place to collect and pay TOT in a timely manner. The city can audit your records at any time to verify you have paid the correct amounts.

Handling taxes properly is crucial for short-term rental hosts in Vallejo. Setting up tax collection, reporting, and payment processes early on will help your business stay compliant. Reach out to the Vallejo Finance Department with any questions about registering or reporting TOT.

California Wide Short Term Rental Rules

In addition to local city and county ordinances, short-term rental hosts across California need to comply with some overarching state laws and regulations. Being aware of these rules can help hosts avoid violations and penalties.

Fire and Life Safety

The state requires all short-term rental units to have:

• Smoke detectors installed in all sleeping areas (e.g. bedrooms and living rooms with sleep sofas)
• Carbon monoxide detectors installed if the rental has fuel-burning appliances like gas stoves or indoor fireplaces

These safety devices must be in working order at all times. Hosts are required to test them periodically and replace dead batteries. The state can impose fines for non-compliance.

Transient Occupancy Taxes

Cities and counties collect a transient occupancy tax (TOT), typically between 10-15%, on the rent charged to short-term rental guests. As the host, you are responsible for registering with your jurisdiction, collecting this tax from guests, and remitting it on a regular basis.Failure to collect and pay TOT represents tax evasion and can result in penalties of up to $500 per day. Tracking taxes correctly is crucial for operating legally.

Non-Discrimination

State civil rights laws prohibit hosts from discriminating against guests on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics. Violations can lead to lawsuits and damages.

By being aware of these statewide regulations covering safety, taxes, and discrimination, short-term rental hosts can avoid legal problems and create welcoming, compliant rentals for all guests.

Does Vallejo Strictly Enforce STR Rules?

Vallejo takes a more stringent approach to enforcing short term rental regulations compared to some other cities in California. The city requires all hosts to obtain permits and pay transient occupancy taxes in order to legally operate.

While Vallejo's permit process has been criticized by some hosts as overly bureaucratic, the city does proactively enforce rules for non-compliant listings. Fines for operating without a permit can be up to $500 per violation.

Code enforcement and planning department staff also conduct investigations based on complaints from neighbors or online listings without proper documentation1.Between 2018-2021, Vallejo issued fines to several illegal short term rental operators and compelled them to cease operations.

The city has also partnered with Host Compliance, a firm that tracks rental listings across major sites and reports unpermitted properties to local governments2.So while Vallejo's short term rental policy aims to enable hosts to operate legally, the city does strictly enforce rules once violations are discovered.

Those hoping to avoid penalties should be sure to obtain permits before listing properties online. With active monitoring and reporting from residents, most illegal rentals are eventually identified and face enforcement action.

How to Start a Short Term Rental Business in Vallejo

Follow these steps to start a compliant short term rental business in Vallejo:

1. Purchase or lease a property zoned for short term rentals
2. Apply for a short term rental permit
3. Obtain transient occupancy registration certificate
4. Set up collection and remittance of transient occupancy tax
5. List property on sites like Airbnb and VRBO
6. Renew permit and transient occupancy certificate annually

Who to Contact in Vallejo About Short Term Rental Regulations and Zoning

Contact Vallejo's Planning and Development department with questions about short term rental zoning and permit requirements:Planning Division
555 Santa Clara Street Vallejo, CA 94590
(707) 648-4326
planning@cityofvallejo.net

What Do Airbnb Hosts in Vallejo on Reddit and Bigger Pockets Think About Local Regulations?

Short term rental hosts in Vallejo face a complex web of local regulations. Reactions among the hosting community are mixed, with some expressing frustration over permit costs and paperwork while others choose non-compliance.Hosts on Reddit note difficulty navigating City Hall to get rental permits approved.

One user described it as "a total nightmare", while another said "the amount of paperwork they wanted for a simple permit was ridiculous."1However, hosts also recognize that enforcement activities have been ramping up over the past couple of years.

The city has been conducting rental inspections and issuing warnings and citations to non-permitted properties.2Discussions on BiggerPockets highlight the strictness of Vallejo's rules compared to other California cities.

One member noted that you "can't just buy a property and list it on Airbnb" like in some areas, while another said "I'd avoid Vallejo for STRs."3The permit application process itself draws mixed reviews. One host said "it wasn't too cumbersome", while others report lengthy delays getting permits approved. Either way, hosts must budget for expenses like permit fees, inspections, insurance, and transient occupancy taxes that cut into profits.4

In summary, Vallejo imposes more red tape on short term rental hosts compared to other California cities. Those wanting to operate legally face paperwork hassles and costs, while non-compliant hosts risk fines. With the city stepping up enforcement, hosts face tough choices balancing profitability with following local short term rental regulations.