On Tuesday, the Oakley City Council is set to talk about allowing hosted and unhosted stay short-term rentals in the downtown specific plan.
According to the staff report, if approved by the City Council, it would allow for a maximum of 15 vacation rentals at any given time that are located within the downtown specific plan. The city is justifying the action by claiming tourism and fishing tournaments – including the April 28, 2026 meeting when it was stated 2026 Bass Angler Magazine (BAM) Tournament Series is expected to generate a measurable economic benefit to the City of Oakley.
They claim:
Based on information provided by the event organizer, the tournament series is expected to generate between $453,000 and $472,000 in direct economic activity within the City of Oakley. A significant portion of this spending is tied to overnight accommodations, as the Pro-Am and Scholastic events alone are anticipated to attract more than 200 participants who stay an average of five days in the community. Lodging expenditures are estimated at approximately $150 per participant per day, representing a substantial share of overall visitor spending.
According to the city, it is estimated that approximately 200 units exist within the boundaries of the DSP with about half of those units existing in the DSP-RCCO. A majority of the remaining units exist in the DSP-DS. There are a limited number of units in the DSP-DC and most are likely part of a mixed-use building.
The current Short-Term Rental (“STR”) ordinance prohibits unhosted stays, and vacation rentals citywide. An unhosted stay is a short-term rental where the owner remains off site during the guest’s stay. This would allow an owner who uses the home as a primary residence to rent the entire unit without remaining on site during the rental period.
Overview:
- allows a short-term rental to operate as a vacation rental only if the residence is located within the boundaries of the adopted Downtown Specific Plan District.
- The proposed regulations would also limit each vacation rental unit to one rental agreement at any one time, meaning if your property happened to have more than one unit you would not be able to rent out the other units to different parties.
- An annual valid Short-Term Rental permit would be required
- Ordinance would cap the number of active vacation rental permits at fifteen (15) at any given time.
- A waiting list, maintained by the Planning Division, would be kept if the City receives more complete applications than available permits. The list would be maintained in the order received
- Vacation rentals would be subject to the operational standards that apply to all short-term rentals, as well as additional conditions specific to vacation rental use. These conditions address emergency vehicle access, noise and disorderly conduct, and the prohibition of weddings, auctions, commercial functions, or similar events that are inconsistent with transient residential occupancy.
- City Manager may provide notice to property owners within five hundred (500) feet of the vacation rental unit.
The city says the main purpose of the proposed zoning text amendment is to encourage further economic development within the City of Oakley
Oakley Could Get Deputy City Clerk
On Tuesday, the city will look at a reclassification for an administrative assistant and change it to a Deputy City Clerk. With reclassifying the position, it costs $12,500 for half a year – or $25,000. See Staff Report.
If You Go
Oakley City Council Meeting
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
6:30 PM
3231 Main Street, Oakley, Ca 94561
Full Agenda: Click Here