Is Airbnb legal in Sacramento, CA?

Restricted

These rules are changing or in active litigation. Verify the current status directly before you rely on it.

Airbnb is restricted in Sacramento, CA

Every STR needs a city permit. A primary residence occupied at least 184 days a year can be rented without a night limit, but a non-primary property is capped at 90 nights a year unless it obtains a discretionary use permit. A 2026 proposal would require all STRs to be a primary residence.

Sacramento City Code Ch. 5.114View the ordinance

Verified July 2026. Not legal advice. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Confirm with the city before you list.

Key rules at a glance

Permit or registration

Required

Primary residence only

No

Annual night cap

90 nights

Registration fee

See ordinance

How short-term rentals work in Sacramento

The first step in Sacramento is the city's permit or registration process; check the ordinance for the current fee. Factor the 90-night annual cap into any revenue projection. The status card above has the full detail on the current rules.

Non-owner investors can operate in Sacramento, but within the city's limits above. Read the ordinance closely before you buy, because permits, caps, or zoning can make a specific property ineligible.

At the state level, California leaves short-term rental rules to cities and counties.

What it means for investors

An STR can still work in Sacramento, but the limits shrink the pool of eligible properties and add compliance cost. Underwrite conservatively and confirm the specific address qualifies before you commit.

Analyze a rental hereCheck long-term rent

Short-term rental rules elsewhere in California

Last reviewed July 2026. Informational and educational only, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Verify the current ordinance with your local jurisdiction or counsel before acting.

Frequently asked questions

Is Airbnb legal in Sacramento?

Every STR needs a city permit. A primary residence occupied at least 184 days a year can be rented without a night limit, but a non-primary property is capped at 90 nights a year unless it obtains a discretionary use permit. A 2026 proposal would require all STRs to be a primary residence. This reflects the rules as of July 2026; confirm the current ordinance with the city before you list.

Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Sacramento?

Yes. Sacramento requires a permit or registration to operate a short-term rental, and platforms increasingly require the permit number on the listing.

Can I run a non-owner-occupied Airbnb in Sacramento?

Yes, Sacramento does not require you to live in the property, though other limits such as caps, zoning, or licensing may still apply.

Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent in Sacramento?

Yes. Sacramento caps rentals at about 90 nights a year for the relevant category (often unhosted or non-primary stays); hosted stays are frequently uncapped. Confirm which cap applies to your setup.

What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Sacramento?

Short-term rentals in Sacramento are generally subject to state and local lodging or occupancy taxes on top of income tax. Airbnb and VRBO collect some of these automatically, but not always all of them, so confirm the current rate and who remits it with California and the city.