Overview: Are STRs Allowed in Winters, CA?

Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in Winters, CA within single-family and two-family dwellings with approval of a Vacation Rental Permit and a Business License. Two accommodation types are recognized:

• Hosted accommodation: the owner or authorized agent resides on site while guests are present.
• Nonhosted accommodation: the owner or authorized agent does not reside on site while guests are present.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) issued building permits on or after January 1, 2020, are prohibited from STR use. If an ADU’s building permit predates that date, STR use may be allowed—confirm with the Planning Division.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Winters

1. Confirm zoning and basic eligibility.

• STRs must be in single or two-family dwellings.
• ADU rule: STRs allowed only for ADUs permitted prior to Jan 1, 2020 (state law).
• Use the City’s GIS zoning map to verify your property’s zoning district.

2. Decide hosted vs. nonhosted.

• Hosted accommodation: reviewed administratively by the Zoning Administrator, with notice to properties within 100 feet. The Community Development Director may refer hosted applications to the Planning Commission.
• Nonhosted accommodation: requires a use permit and public hearing before the Planning Commission, with noticing to properties within 300 feet.

3. Prepare and submit your application package.

• Submit electronically (email planning@cityofwinters.org) if under 15 MB or via Dropbox. After a planner is assigned, you may be asked to provide hard copies.
• Pay the vacation rental permit fee of $826.00 ($556.00 + CEQA Exemption $270.00).
• Provide all submittal items listed below.

4. City processing timeline.

• Staff reviews for completeness within 30 days and determines CEQA exemption status.
• Applications route to departments/agencies; additional information may be requested within 30 days.
• Final application package due at least 30 days before the hearing.
• For nonhosted, a staff report is issued at least three days before the hearing. The Planning Commission then approves, conditionally approves, or denies the permit.

5. Obtain Business License and comply with Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT).

• A Business License is required to operate (or advertise) a vacation rental.
• TOT obligations apply under Chapter 3.24 (Municipal Code).

6. Annual renewals.

• Vacation Rental permits and Business Licenses must be renewed annually. The City reviews compliance with Municipal Code Chapter 17.54, specific conditions, and any complaints/violations.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Vacation Rental Permit submittal requirements (for initial approval and renewals):

• Completed Planning Application Form.
• Vacation Rental permit fee: $826.00 ($556.00 + $270.00 CEQA Exemption).
• Vacation Rental Submittal Checklist (signed).
• Project Narrative addressing:
  • Owner identity and contact (name, mailing address, email, phone).
  • Hosted vs. nonhosted designation.
  • Authorized agent (for nonhosted) identity and contact.
  • Number of bedrooms, approximate square footage, and maximum overnight guests.
  • Life safety acknowledgments and compliance plan (see “Life Safety Requirements”).
  • On-site parking count and location; maximum vehicles allowed.
  • Acknowledgment of reading all applicable ordinances (STR chapter 17.54, TOT Chapter 3.24, Business License Chapter 5.04).
  • Commitment to cease transient occupancy if the permit is revoked.
• Site Plan requirements (24"x36" or smaller, legible; include boundaries/dimensions, north arrow/scale, topographic/natural/man-made features, existing/proposed buildings/structures, drives/parking/easements).
• Floor Plans for each story, 1/4"=1' or larger scale, with room uses, sizes, doors/windows.
• Elevations: acceptable via photographs of the existing residence in lieu of architectural drawings.
• Notification materials:
  • Hosted: list, map, mailing labels, stamped envelopes for properties within 100 feet.
  • Nonhosted: list, map, mailing labels, stamped envelopes for properties within 300 feet.
• Additional information as deemed necessary by the Community Development Director.

Permits and licenses required:

• Vacation Rental Permit (issued by the Community Development Director for hosted, or use permit issued by the Planning Commission for nonhosted).
• Business License (City; Municipal Code Chapter 5.04).
• Annual renewal of both the Vacation Rental Permit and Business License.

Life safety and code compliance (all bedrooms/structures used for habitation):

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Fire extinguisher.
• Six-inch or lighted address numbers visible from the street.
• Openable windows (means of egress) from bedrooms.
• Functioning water heater, furnace, and other gas appliances. An inspection may be required; owner pays the inspection fee.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals (City of Winters and State Context)

City of Winters regulations (Municipal Code Chapter 17.54 and related chapters)

• Occupancy caps:
  • Maximum overnight guests: two per bedroom plus two additional guests per unit.
  • Absolute cap: no more than 10 guests (excluding the host family). The Planning Commission may allow more than 10 via use permit.
• Parking:
  • Provide one legal off-street parking space per guest vehicle; maximize use of on-site spaces.
  • Garage/carport access must be provided when counted toward on-site spaces.
• Trash and recycling:
  • Provide appropriate service; property must be free of debris on site and in the street.
  • Trash cans kept clean/sanitary (Municipal Code Chapter 8.04).
  • Trash cans may not be placed on the street earlier than 24 hours before pick-up and must be promptly removed after service.
• Noise and nuisance:
  • Guests must comply with the City’s noise regulations (Chapter 8.20) and performance standards (Chapter 17.68).
• Events prohibited on the property:
  • Weddings, receptions, auctions, commercial functions, or similar events are prohibited when inconsistent with transient occupancy use in a residential neighborhood.
• Operational requirements:
  • Owner or authorized agent must be reachable by phone within 24 hours during rentals.
  • For nonhosted, owner/authorized agent must be on-site within 24 hours of notification by a renter or enforcement officer to address compliance or health/safety/welfare issues.
  • Only one rental agreement per unit at a time.
• Advertising:
  • No advertising for transient occupancy is permitted without an approved Vacation Rental Permit (or a hotel/B&B use approved under the zoning code).
• Transfer of permits:
  • Use permits for nonhosted rentals are transferable to a purchaser upon City approval. The prior owner must provide written notice of intent to transfer.
  • Unauthorized transfers are void and a violation.
• Annual review and revocation:
  • Permits are subject to annual review and possible inspection for life safety compliance.
  • The City can initiate revocation/modification proceedings if the use is detrimental to health/safety/welfare, materially false information was provided, or there is a violation of the permit or code.
  • Remedies include Planning Commission hearings and administrative citations (Municipal Code Title 1).
• Enforcement:
  • Operating without a permit/use permit or in violation is a code violation subject to enforcement under Title 1 and Chapter 1.16, including administrative citations.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

• STRs of ADUs permitted on/after Jan 1, 2020: strictly prohibited (state law).
• ADUs permitted before Jan 1, 2020: STR use may be allowed.
• If unsure of ADU permit date, contact the Planning Division.

State of California considerations (as context)

• California TOT collection and remittance obligations apply to STRs. Consult the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration for current rules.

Noticing and hearings (municipal procedure)

• Hosted accommodation: Zoning Administrator review; notice provided to properties within 100 feet. Public hearing not required but may be convened at the Director’s discretion or by referral to the Planning Commission.
• Nonhosted accommodation: use permit and public hearing before the Planning Commission. Notice provided per Chapter 17.16 and state law (Government Code Sections 65090 and 65091), including publication and mailed notice to properties within 300 feet and interested parties.

Appeals

• Zoning Administrator decisions: appealable to the Planning Commission within 10 days.
• Planning Commission decisions: appealable to the City Council within 10 days.
• Appeals must be submitted on forms specified by the Planning Division along with the required fee.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

City of Winters – Planning Division

• Address: 318 1st Street, Winters, CA 95694
• Phone: 530-795-4910
• Fax: 530-795-4935
• Email: planning@cityofwinters.org
• Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00am–12:30pm and 1:30pm–5:00pm (closed every other Friday—see City schedule)

City Hall general contact

• Phone: 530-795-4910

Source Links

• City of Winters – Short-Term Vacation Rentals (Overview, fees, ADU notes): www.cityofwinters.org/334/Short-Term-Vacation-Rentals
• Winters Municipal Code Chapter 17.54 – Vacation Rentals (Definitions, application requirements, operational standards, enforcement): www.codepublishing.com/CA/Winters/html/Winters17/Winters1754.html
• Vacation Rental Information Sheet and Application Guide (Process, timeline, notices, submittal checklist): www.cityofwinters.org/DocumentCenter/View/865
• GIS Map with Zoning (to verify zoning district): www.cityofwinters.org/368/GIS-MAP-with-Zoning
• Winters Zoning Map (PDF): ca-winters.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/899
• General Plan (Housing Element compliance context): www.cityofwinters.org/358/General-Plan
• Development Fees (Schedule of planning/inspection fees): www.cityofwinters.org/370/Development-Fees
• Community Development Reports & Resources: www.cityofwinters.org/333/Community-Development-Reports-Resources
• Planning Forms: www.cityofwinters.org/366/Planning-Forms
• Winters Express article (background context, public hearing/review process): www.wintersexpress.com/archives/officials-ready-ordinance-on-airbnb-businesses-ahead-of-summer-tourism-season/article_152f3394-6f8e-533f-985a-88905b32033b.html

Notes for STR investors

• Carefully budget for the permit application and any inspection fees; hosted approvals move faster, while nonhosted require a public hearing and additional noticing.
• Build house rules and operating procedures that explicitly enforce occupancy caps, parking, quiet hours, and event prohibitions to minimize complaints and protect permit status.
• Confirm ADU eligibility before investing; post-2020 permits cannot be used for STRs.
• After approval, implement annual renewal planning, maintain life safety equipment, and track TOT remittance.