Fairfield, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed?

YES, short-term rentals are allowed in Fairfield, CA and Solano County. However, the regulatory framework differs significantly depending on whether your property is located within the City of Fairfield limits or in unincorporated areas of Solano County.

Key Distinctions:

City of Fairfield: Short-term rentals are permitted but subject to city-specific zoning and business regulations
Unincorporated Solano County: Short-term lodging is permitted with specific permit requirements and Vacation House Rental (VHR) provisions

The distinction is critical because unincorporated areas follow county regulations, while properties within city limits must comply with Fairfield's municipal code and zoning ordinances.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Fairfield?

Fairfield hosts earn a median $52,755/year with $341 ADR and 61% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $70,210+ per year.

See the full Fairfield market breakdown

Starting a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

Step 1: Determine Your Location's Jurisdiction

Verify your property address using the Fairfield Zoning Map to confirm whether you're within city limits or in unincorporated county areas
For city properties: Follow Fairfield municipal procedures
For unincorporated county properties: Follow Solano County short-term lodging requirements

Step 2: Property Compliance Assessment

Zoning verification: Confirm short-term rental use is permitted in your specific zoning district
Building code compliance: Ensure property meets all safety requirements
Insurance evaluation: Obtain adequate liability coverage
Fire safety compliance: Especially important in high fire hazard severity zones

Step 3: Business Structure Setup

Choose appropriate business entity structure
Establish financial systems for tax collection and remittance
Set up booking and management systems

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

For Unincorporated Solano County Properties:

1. Short-Term Lodging Permit

Required before listing property
Contact Planning Services Division for application
Valid for dwellings meeting county criteria

2. Business License

Obtained through county business licensing system
Required for all commercial lodging operations

3. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate

Registration certificate for tax collection
Mandatory for properties offering lodging under 30 days
Tax rates and collection procedures apply

For Fairfield City Properties:

1. Business License

Available through Fairfield Business License Services
Required for commercial operations
May have city-specific requirements for STR businesses

2. Zoning Compliance

Verify STR use is permitted in your zoning district
Consult Fairfield Municipal Code Chapter 25 for specific regulations

3. Transient Occupancy Tax Registration

City-specific TOT collection and remittance requirements apply
Contact city Finance Department for registration

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

Solano County (Unincorporated Areas):

Definition of Short-Term Lodging:

Temporary occupancy of 30 consecutive calendar days or less
Includes portions of calendar days as full days
Applies to time-share plans and co-ownership arrangements
Excludes occasional home exchanges of primary residences

Facility Types:

Resident family occupied dwellings
Non-resident family occupied dwellings
Each category has specific requirements and limitations

Key Requirements:

Permit approval before operation
Business license maintenance
TOT certificate registration and compliance
Compliance with fire safety standards
Adherence to occupancy limits and parking requirements

Fairfield City:

Zoning ordinances govern permitted uses in residential districts
Business license requirements for commercial operations
Municipal code compliance for lodging activities
Property tax and business tax implications

State of California Requirements:

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT):

Statewide requirement for accommodations under 30 days
Rates vary by jurisdiction (county: 9%, city: typically 10-14%)
Mandatory collection and remittance by hosts
penalties for non-compliance

Business Operations:

General business license requirements
Insurance and safety compliance standards
Tax reporting and remittance obligations

Contact Information

Solano County (Unincorporated Areas):

Planning Services Division

Phone: 707-784-6765
Email: planning@SolanoCounty.gov
Office Hours: Contact for current availability
Services: Permits, VHR applications, zoning compliance

Solano County Main Website

https://www.solanocounty.gov/government/resource-management/planning-services/development-programs/short-term-lodging

City of Fairfield:

Community Development Department - Planning Division

Address: 1000 Webster Street, Fairfield, CA 94533
Website: https://www.fairfield.ca.gov/government/city-departments/community-development
Services: Zoning compliance, business licenses, municipal code interpretation

Business License Services

Online: Fairfield Business License Portal
Phone: Contact City Hall main line for current department contacts

Important Considerations for Investors

Market Analysis:

Competition: Research existing STR properties in your area
Pricing: Analyze local market rates and seasonal variations
Demand: Assess tourism and business travel patterns
Regulatory Changes: Stay updated on evolving regulations

Financial Planning:

Permit and licensing costs: Budget for application fees
Tax obligations: Factor in TOT, income taxes, and property taxes
Insurance requirements: Ensure adequate coverage
Compliance costs: Ongoing regulatory and reporting expenses

Operational Requirements:

Property management: Local contact requirements may apply
Guest screening: Develop appropriate policies
Maintenance standards: Ensure property meets habitability requirements
Community relations: Address neighbor concerns proactively

Source Links

Official Government Sources:

Additional Resources:

Next Steps for STR Investment

Consult with local planning officials to verify zoning compliance for your specific property
Obtain required permits and licenses before listing any property
Establish tax collection and remittance procedures with appropriate government agencies
Maintain ongoing compliance with all regulatory requirements
Monitor regulatory changes that may affect STR operations

Disclaimer: This guide is based on publicly available information as of 2025. Regulations may change, and specific property circumstances may require additional or different compliance measures. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consider consulting with local legal or regulatory experts before making investment decisions.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Fairfield

Fairfield is a mid-sized city in Solano County, in the North Bay region of California, with a population of roughly 116,000 residents. Situated along Interstate 80 between two of the state's major urban centers, the city carries a relaxed suburban character while serving as a practical stopover for travelers moving between Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area. It is best known as the home of Travis Air Force Base, the headquarters of the Jelly Belly Candy Company, and a quiet gateway to the Suisun Valley wine country and the broader Napa region. From downtown Fairfield, San Francisco lies about 45 miles to the southwest and Sacramento about 35 miles to the northeast, making the city a convenient launchpad for exploring Northern California.

A short drive from the city's center brings visitors to the Jelly Belly Candy Company, a destination that has been delighting guests for decades. The Fairfield factory offers self-guided and guided tours that walk guests through the candy-making process, ending with tastings of more than 100 flavors. Located only minutes from the freeway, it draws families and school groups year-round and provides a sweet introduction to the city.

For outdoor enthusiasts and wine lovers, the surrounding Suisun Valley offers a quieter alternative to the more famous Napa wineries just to the north. Within a 15- to 20-minute drive, visitors find a cluster of small family-run vineyards, olive oil producers, and farm stands spread across a rural landscape of rolling hills. The Suisun Valley's proximity to Fairfield, combined with its small-town tasting room atmosphere, gives travelers a relaxed agricultural experience without the crowds of the larger appellation.

About 20 miles to the southwest, in the neighboring city of Vallejo, sits Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, a theme park that combines roller coasters and family rides with an aquarium and animal exhibits. The roughly 25-minute drive makes it an easy day trip for families staying in Fairfield, and it provides a major entertainment draw for short-term rental guests traveling with children or teenagers.

Nature and history also sit within easy reach. The Benicia State Recreation Area, roughly 15 minutes west along the Carquinez Strait, offers shoreline trails, picnic areas, and views of the working industrial waterfront of the Bay. A little farther afield, the Suisun Marsh — one of the largest contiguous estuarine marshes on the West Coast — provides birdwatching and kayaking opportunities in a protected landscape that feels worlds away from the freeway.

Fairfield's appeal as a short-term rental base comes from this unusual mix of accessibility and variety. Guests can spend the morning touring a candy factory, the afternoon sampling wines in a quiet valley, and the evening dining in downtown — all without ever leaving the city's orbit. With Sacramento, San Francisco, Napa, and the Bay shoreline all within roughly an hour's drive, the city offers a balanced combination of small-town comfort and big-region convenience that resonates with a wide range of travelers.