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Solvang Today
By the People, for the People
Solvang Tightens Vacation Rental Rules, Adds Safety Inspections
New ordinance limits short-term rentals, caps permits, and introduces mandatory safety checks.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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The Solvang City Council has approved the first reading of a revised ordinance to update the city's short-term rental (STR) regulations. The new rules limit new vacation rentals primarily to the downtown Village Mixed Use district, establish a citywide cap of 40 STR permits, and introduce mandatory safety inspections to ensure compliance with building and fire codes.
Why it matters
The changes are intended to align with Solvang's 2045 General Plan, which calls for concentrating visitor activity in the commercial core while preserving established residential neighborhoods. Officials say the ordinance is designed to ensure housing resources remain available for permanent residents and prevent developers from using housing incentives for tourism purposes.
The details
Under the updated rules, new vacation rentals would be allowed primarily in the VMU district, a downtown commercial area intended to serve as the city's tourism hub. High-density residential zones known as R3 would no longer qualify for new STR permits. Existing operators in those areas may continue operating as non-conforming uses, but their permits would be non-transferable and expire upon the sale or conveyance of the property. The ordinance also prohibits STRs in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), affordable housing units, and properties created through SB 9 lot splits. Rental units must undergo periodic safety inspections to maintain their permits, and operators must designate a local contact capable of responding to complaints within 60 minutes.
- On February 23, 2026, the Solvang City Council voted 5-0 to approve the first reading of the revised ordinance.
- The city plans to use new state reporting requirements to obtain data from rental platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO to audit and enforce Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) payments.
The players
Solvang City Council
The governing body of the city of Solvang, California, which voted to approve the first reading of the revised short-term rental ordinance.
Solvang Community Development Department
The city department that will manage a digital waiting list for new short-term rental permits once the citywide cap of 40 permits is reached.
What’s next
The city plans to conduct a one-year review of the ordinance and consider adjustments if needed.
The takeaway
Solvang's new short-term rental regulations aim to strike a balance between supporting the city's tourism industry and preserving housing for local residents, with measures like limiting new rentals to the commercial core, establishing a permit cap, and requiring safety inspections.
