Castello di Amorosa stone castle above vineyard rows near Calistoga at golden hour

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Calistoga, in short

Does Calistoga flood?

Parts of it have. The City’s 2014 Public Safety Element says, “Calistoga experienced major flooding in 1983, 1986, 1995, 1997 and 1998, causing damage to property in developed areas.” It adds that the Napa Valley’s flooding “occurs primarily due to heavy rains, generally in the period from December through March.”

The story of Calistoga

Calistoga, which the City’s 2023 Housing Element says “was incorporated as a City in 1886 and its early history was predicated on mining, agriculture, and hot springs tourism.”

The City’s plan says the most notable aspect of the town’s commercial history is its status as a resort town. Its pages and the Sharpsteen Museum’s tell of a founder who named the town for the Saratoga of California, of a railroad whose track was completed in 1868, and of a museum that opened its doors in 1978.

The City’s 2012 General Plan says the Sharpsteen Museum has displays “about Calistoga’s indigenous population, the Mishewal (named the Wapoo by the Spanish)”.

The City’s About page calls Sam Brannan “the founder of the City of Calistoga”, and the City’s 2003 General Plan says he “coined the evocative name” Calistoga to mean the Saratoga of California.

The museum says, “In 1868, the Napa Valley Railroad Company completed its track.” It adds that the track “ultimately made Calistoga a hub for transportation in the Upper Valley and a gateway to Lake and Sonoma Counties.”

The City’s 2003 General Plan says Calistoga “was first incorporated as a Town in 1876, and then was reincorporated and designated as a City in 1886.”

The museum’s diorama of Robert Louis Stevenson’s honeymoon “depicts the silver mining camp where he and wife Fanny stayed in 1880”.

The City’s 2012 General Plan says, “Fires swept through the business district in 1901 and 1907, with the result that few nineteenth-century structures remain.”

The City’s Story of City Hall page says, “After the opera house burned down, the City Council voted in 1901 to build the present structure, completed in 1903.”

The museum’s page says Ben Sharpsteen “was only 7 years old when he first spent summers in Calistoga. The year was 1903”.

The museum says its electric train diorama “depicts the interurban railroad that connected Calistoga to the San Francisco Bay Area from 1912 to 1937.”

The museum’s pages say it was “Opened in 1978” and that “on September 30, the Sharpsteen Museum first opened its doors.”

The City’s Fairgrounds pages say the City “bought the property from Napa County in July 2024”.

Read the full story of Calistoga

Fire safety

Roof and gutters

The City’s Fire Prevention Tips page tells owners, “Remove dead branches overhanging your roof.” and “Clean all dead leaves and needles from your roof and gutters.”

City page undated, read Nov 2 2026

Clearing around the home in a Very High zone

The City’s Defensible Space page says, “Homeowners in very high FHSZ must maintain defensible space around their homes, requiring clearing/maintaining of vegetation within a 100-foot radius (or to the property line).” FHSZ is the State’s fire hazard severity zone. For a High or Moderate zone the page states no clearing distance.

City page undated, read Nov 2 2026

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Weeds, rank grass and refuse

The Fire Department’s Weed Abatement Program page says, “The goal of the Calistoga Fire Department’s Weed Abatement Program is to identify hazards and work cooperatively with landowners to minimize these risks.” It says, “At the beginning of the fire season and throughout the summer months, all homeowners are required to take measures to save their homes from wildland fires”. Chapter 12.12 of the City’s code, Cleaning of Property and Streets, makes it the duty of every owner, occupant or person in charge of real property in the City to “Mow, destroy, and remove all other rank grass or growths of noxious weeds thereon” and to “Remove from such real property any garbage or refuse material detrimental to the public health or in danger of becoming a fire hazard.” Grass must be trimmed.

City page undated, read Nov 2 2026; code chapter (adopted 1973) read in Chrome Nov 2 2026 (refresh before use)

The State’s fire maps, as the City describes them

The City’s Defensible Space page says, “The Calistoga City Council has adopted these new maps to meet OSFM guidelines. These updated regulations apply to the areas within Calistoga city limits.” OSFM is the State Fire Marshal’s office, and the maps are its 2025 fire hazard severity zone maps. The page gives no ordinance number or adoption date, and we have not found the adopting record.

City page undated, read Nov 2 2026

What the State’s map shows for the city

The State published its 2025 fire hazard maps for local areas in four phases between February 10 and March 24, 2025. Read from the State’s map layers, by our own count on a grid of sample points inside the city’s outline, about 13 percent of the city reads Very High, about 38 percent High and about 15 percent Moderate, and about 34 percent is non-wildland land. That says nothing about any one home or street. To see the class at one address, the State’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer for Local Responsibility Areas has a search box labelled “Find address or place”, and its legend names the three classes: Very High, High and Moderate.

State layers sampled for the sheet Nov 1-2 2026 (refresh before use)

Burning needs a permit

The City’s Fire Code says, “Open burning within the city limits of Calistoga, including incinerators of all types, is prohibited.” It adds, “Any and all burns shall require a burning permit issued by the Calistoga Fire Department”.

Code chapter (Ord. 779, 11/18/2025) read in Chrome Nov 2 2026 (refresh before use)

The State’s separate Zone 0 rule: where it stands

The State’s rule for the first five feet around a home, also called Zone 0: adopted by the Board; in final review with the Office of Administrative Law; no effective date known.

Standing check of Nov 7 2026, and the Board’s page read again Nov 2 2026 (20:20)

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Calistoga this month

Storm season: the City’s Public Works page says “Sand & Sandbags Available” and “First 25 bags are free.”

The Calistoga blog starts when there is enough local news to keep it current.

Culture and history

Sharpsteen Museum

The museum’s page says, “The Museum is entirely run by volunteers”, and that the City “owns and maintains the museum building”. It says Ben Sharpsteen “wanted the museum accessible to all without an entry fee”. Its mission, the page says, is “to preserve the history of Calistoga and the Upper Napa Valley from its early days to post-World War II.”

Museum page undated (footer 2025), read Nov 2 2026

Lighted Tractor Parade

The City’s events page says, “Calistoga’s annual tractor parade, held every first Saturday in December, celebrates our down home agricultural roots by showcasing 50+ festively adorned tractors and trucks illuminated with thousands of holiday lights.” Its calendar lists the next one for December 5, 2026, and the page puts the crowd at “12,000 to 14,000 attendees”.

City calendar entry for 12/05/2026, read Nov 2 2026 (refresh before use)

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Winter and spring events

The City’s calendar lists Merry & Bright Night on December 4, 2026, where “At 7:00pm, Santa will light the tree. This is a free community event.” It lists the Annual Holiday Dinner on December 12, where “All food is donated by Calistoga Restaurants!” And it lists the Annual Spring Egg Hunt on April 3, 2027, on the Fairgrounds’ Great Lawn.

City calendar read Nov 2 2026; the Holiday Dinner’s year is not printed there (refresh before use)

The name Calistoga

The City’s 2003 General Plan tells where the name Calistoga comes from. More in The story of Calistoga, below.

City plan of 2003, read Nov 2 2026

A resort town and its railroad

The City’s plan calls the town’s status as a resort town the most notable aspect of its commercial history, and the Sharpsteen Museum tells of the railroad that reached the town. More in The story of Calistoga, below.

City plan of 2012 and museum page, read Nov 2 2026

The man behind the museum

The museum’s page tells how Ben Sharpsteen, a Walt Disney animator, first spent summers in Calistoga as a boy. More in The story of Calistoga, below.

Museum pages undated, read Nov 2 2026

Community

The Calistoga Fire Safe Council

Napa Firewise’s page for the Calistoga Fire Safe Council lists “Firewise Designation:” as “Yes” and “Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP):” as “Yes”. It lists “Home Advisory Defensible Space Inspection: Contact the Cal Fire St. Helena Station” and does not say whether the inspection is free.

Page read Nov 2 2026 (refresh before use)

Community organisations

The City’s Community Resources page lists local organisations, among them the Boys and Girls Club, the Brannan Center, Calistoga Cares Food Bank, the Calistoga Library, the Rianda House and UpValley Family Center.

City page undated, read Nov 2 2026

City rules and regulations

A re-roof takes a permit and inspections

The City’s Building Permit Application packet says its owner smoke and carbon monoxide alarm form “can be used on permitted projects where detectors are required and the work, such as re-roofing, re-siding, patio covers, and swimming pools, is performed on the exterior of the dwelling.” The Building Division page prints the State building code’s rule that an owner or the owner’s authorized agent who intends to build or alter “shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.” The page gives inspection times: “Inspections are available Monday through Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and afternoons from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.” The City’s Master Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 is linked on its Finance Services page.

City pages undated, read Nov 2 2026

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

The City’s alarm verification form in the packet says, “The California Residential Code requires carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms (Sections R314 and R315 respectively) to be installed in dwellings when building permits are issued, and the scope of work exceeds a total cost (or calculated valuation) of $1,000.” It adds, “In order to FINAL your permit, it is necessary to verify the installation of these alarms within your dwelling.”

Packet form (footer rev. 1.2017) read Nov 2 2026

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How long a permit takes

The Building Division page says, “Over-the-counter permits are typically issued the same day or by the next business day.” For larger projects it gives “Initial review: 20 working days”.

City page undated, read Nov 2 2026

Who can apply for the permit

The City’s application packet lets an owner, a California licensed contractor or an authorized agent apply; an agent “must have signed Owner Auth Form”, and the Building Division page links an Agent Authorization Form.

City packet and page undated, read Nov 2 2026

Protected trees

Chapter 19.01 of the City’s code, on trees, protects “Any tree with a DBH greater than 12 inches. Any native oak with a DBH greater than six inches. Any Valley Oak, seedling, sapling, or older.” DBH is the trunk’s diameter at breast height. The chapter says, “Tree permits shall be valid for 30 days.” and “The Director of Public Works shall render a written decision within 15 days of submission of the completed application.” It exempts “Trees judged in an emergency to be hazardous to life or property by responsible members of police, fire, or public works departmental representatives”.

Code chapter (Ord. 465, 1991) read in Chrome Nov 2 2026 (refresh before use)

Work near a tree

The City’s Tree Permit Information Guide of August 2026 says, “Ask before you act. A permit can be required even when the tree will remain. Trenching, grading, paving, compaction, equipment access, storage, irrigation changes and construction inside the root protection zone may be regulated disturbances.”

Guide headed August 2026, read Nov 2 2026

Trees by the street

The guide says, “An adjoining property owner is responsible for maintaining trees in the public right-of-way adjacent to their property, including removal of hazardous trees.” It adds, “Any tree work within the public right-of-way requires a permit and an encroachment permit.”

Guide headed August 2026, read Nov 2 2026

Where roof water may go

The City’s 2020 Infrastructure Element, describing its sewer system, says, “Inflow occurs from inappropriate connections to the sewer, such as sump pumps, roof drains and yard drains.” That is the City’s description of its sewer system, not a rule for homeowners that we have found.

City element of 2020, read Nov 2 2026

Older homes

The City’s 2023 Housing Element lists an action to “Allow the application of the State’s Historic Building Code to qualified homes in order to provide flexibility in rehabilitation and modification efforts.” Its progress note says, “The City uses the Historic Building Code as appropriate.”

City document of 2023, read Nov 2 2026

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Storms, flood and drainage

Sandbags

The City’s Sand & Sandbags page says, “Sandbags are available for pick-up at:” the Public Works Department, 414 Washington Street, Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 4:30pm, and the Police Department, 1235 Washington Street, “Available 24/7”. It says, “First 25 bags are free. It is .54 for each additional bag.” Sand is “located at the Little League Field south of:” the Public Works Department, “Available 24/7”, and the page says “Bring Shovel”.

City page undated, read Nov 2 2026; addresses as the page prints them (refresh before use)

Where the City names flood areas

The City’s 2023 Housing Element says, “Residential areas known to be prone to flooding include areas around Silver Street, from Gold Street to Spring Street, between the river and Myrtle Street; a crescent-shaped area around Washington Street, starting southeast of Oak Street, rising up Lake Street and Fourth Street, and extending to Second Street; and the area from Pine Street southeast to the City limits, between the river and Foothill Boulevard.” The City’s 2014 Public Safety Element adds that flood hazard areas “have been identified along Cyrus Creek and Blossom Creek”, in areas “that are not mapped by the NFIP”, the National Flood Insurance Program.

City documents of 2023 and 2014, read Nov 2 2026

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The flood map

The City’s 2014 Public Safety Element names “FEMA’s 2008 Flood Insurance Rate Map” as the map that shows the 100-year floodplain; we have not confirmed that it is still the map in force. FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center page says, “Enter an address, a place, or longitude/latitude coordinates:” and lists “MSC Search by Address”. We did not read the map panel that covers Calistoga; the search above shows the map for one address.

City element of 2014, read Nov 2 2026

Where the pipes fall short

The City’s 2020 Infrastructure Element says, “The capacity of the existing storm drain piping is exceeded regularly during average precipitation events at several locations, which causes localized flooding.” It adds, “In areas without drain pipes, rain causes sheet flows to the river and creeks, which can also result in localized flooding, especially in the area between Foothill Boulevard and the Napa River.” That is the street’s drainage, not your roof’s gutters.

City element of 2020, read Nov 2 2026

Oaks and leaves

The City’s 2003 Open Space and Conservation Element says, “Trees in the savanna are dominated by valley oak (Quercus lobata) and coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia).” The U.S. Forest Service’s species pages, which describe each tree across its range and do not name Napa County, say valley oak is deciduous and “leaves fall: November”. For coast live oak, an evergreen, they say “Leaves emerge from February to April; and old leaves are shed at the same time”.

City element of 2003, read Nov 2 2026; Forest Service pages read Oct 14 2026 for the Napa County sheet (refresh before use)

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Programs, loans and insurance

County-wide Check back Defensible Space Cost Share: check back

Napa Firewise’s cost share page carries the banner “Cost Share Funding Available.” It says, “Currently, this is open to all Napa County residents with homes in the High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.” Income-qualified residents “may receive up to 100% reimbursement, capped at $3,500”, and “Other eligible residents may qualify for 50% reimbursement, also up to $3,500.” The page says, “This grant will only cover new defensible space work and cannot reimburse for work completed prior to the grant.” It adds that “priority is given to those residents who live in the greater Berryessa area (Estates, Highlands, Pines/West, and Capell Valley) and/or are income qualified”. The page names no closing date, so check back.

Foundation’s page read Nov 2 2026; re-read on the build day

County-wide Check back Neighbors Helping Neighbors: check back

Napa Firewise’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors team does hand-tool defensible space work. Its page says, “This program currently does not have regular cadence.” and “In 2026, we’re hoping to reach 1-2 more homes across Napa County.” The page does not name Calistoga, so check back.

Foundation’s page read Nov 2 2026; re-read on the build day

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Check back Mills Act: check back

The City’s 2023 Housing Element lists an action to “Publicize the City’s Mills Act program to encourage owners of qualified owner-occupied homes to actively participate in the rehabilitation, restoration, preservation and maintenance of their historic property in exchange for a reduction in their property taxes.” We found no current City page on the program, so check with the City.

City document of 2023, read Nov 2 2026

County-wide Check back Earthquake Brace + Bolt: check back

The California Residential Mitigation Program, a joint body, runs Earthquake Brace + Bolt. Its 2025 Northern California ZIP list includes “Calistoga 94515” and says, “Eligibility based on ZIP Code only, city provided as reference.” The program’s page says, “An EBB seismic retrofit is only done on wood-framed, pre-1980 homes with a raised foundation.” It offers “an EBB retrofit grant of up to $3,000” and invites you to “Sign Up to be Notified When Registration Opens”. The page does not say whether registration is open today, so check back.

ZIP list printed 2025; program page read Nov 2 2026 (refresh before use)

Check back City water rebates: check back

The City’s Water Conservation Program page lists rebate applications for grass removal, a clothes washer and a toilet. The Cash for Grass file says, “The rebate amount is based on $1.00 per square foot of grass removed. The maximum rebate per parcel is $750.” The washer file says, “The maximum rebate amount is $200 per qualifying clothes washer”, and the toilet file, “The maximum rebate amount is $125 per qualifying toilet”. “The property must be served by the City of Calistoga water system”, and the toilet file says its rebates are “subject to funding availability”. The page carries no open or closed word, so check back.

City page and files read Nov 2 2026 (refresh before use)

PG&E Energy Savings Assistance

PG&E’s page says, “Improve the energy efficiency of your home at no cost to you.” and “Participants must live in a house, mobile home or apartment that is at least five years old.” The program page names no county; PG&E serves Calistoga.

PG&E page read Nov 2 2026 (refresh before use)

Garbage bill discount

The City’s news item of September 3, 2026 says, “Upper Valley Disposal (UVDS) is offering a bill assistance program for qualifying residential customers enrolled in the PG&E CARE Program.” It says, “Eligible customers may receive a $45 discount per quarter, up to $180 per year.” and “The program begins October 1, 2026.” The item names no town; the hauler’s residential page has a Calistoga rates tab.

City news item published Sep 3 2026, read Nov 2 2026 (refresh before use)

County-wide BayREN EASE Home

BayREN’s page says, “BayREN covers 80% of the cost for essential weatherization upgrades, including insulation and duct sealing. Your portion is capped at 20% of the project cost.” It asks that you “Have a household income under or at 120% AMI”, the area median income. Its county-contact page has a Napa heading; neither page names Calistoga.

BayREN pages read Nov 2 2026 (refresh before use)

County-wide LIHEAP and free weatherization

North Coast Energy Services says it is “Serving Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties” and “helps income-qualified households pay gas, electric and propane bills, and provides free weatherization and heating repair for renters and homeowners.” It does not name Calistoga, and no page we read says whether funds are open, so ask the provider.

Provider’s page read Nov 2 2026 (refresh before use)

State-wide Check back California Safe Homes: check back

California Safe Homes, a State program, is not open. This is the status on our standing check of October 8, 2026.

Standing check of Oct 8 2026 (21:52), read from the file Nov 2 2026

Who serves your home in Calistoga

Fire: The Calistoga Fire Department, the City’s own. Its page says, “we respond automatically to emergencies in both Napa and Sonoma County.”
Water: The City of Calistoga. Its Public Works page lists “Water Distribution” and “Water Treatment” among its systems, and its water rebate forms speak of a property “served by the City of Calistoga water system”.
Sewer: The City of Calistoga, through its Public Works Department. Its page says, “The Public Works Department oversees both the sewer collection system and the wastewater treatment plant, with key goals focused on reliable and efficient service.”
Garbage and recycling: Upper Valley Disposal Services. Its home page says, “Weekly refuse, recycling, and organics service for single-family residences throughout Upper Napa Valley.” Its residential page has a tab labelled “Calistoga Residential Rates”, and the City’s Public Works page lists “Solid Waste Collection” among the services the department coordinates.
Electricity and gas: PG&E. Its service-area page lists Calistoga under Napa for both electric and gas service.
Storm drains: The City’s 2020 Infrastructure Element says, “the City maintains a storm drainage system that consists of pipes and ditches serving a portion of the developed areas of the City.” It adds, “All precipitation and runoff going into the City storm drains eventually runs to the Napa River then onward to San Pablo Bay.” That is the street’s drainage system, not your roof’s gutters.

Useful links: City of Calistoga: Fire Department · City of Calistoga: Defensible Space · City of Calistoga: Fire Prevention Tips · City of Calistoga: Building Division · City of Calistoga: Master Fee Schedule (Finance Services) · City of Calistoga: Planning Division (tree permits) · City of Calistoga: Municipal Code (eCode360) · City of Calistoga: Sand & Sandbags · City of Calistoga: Water Conservation Program · City of Calistoga: Housing Resources · Napa Firewise: Calistoga Fire Safe Council · Napa Firewise: Defensible Space Cost Share · Napa County: Sandbag Station Locations · Sharpsteen Museum · PG&E: service area · Upper Valley Disposal Services · North Coast Energy Services · BayREN: EASE Home · Earthquake Brace + Bolt

The homes of Calistoga

The State counted 2,525 housing units in Calistoga on January 1, 2026: 1,200 single detached houses, 574 mobile homes, 397 in buildings of five or more units, 249 in buildings of two to four units and 105 single attached homes. By our own calculation 47.5 percent are detached houses and 22.7 percent are mobile homes, a share Yountville has too (21.7 percent, from the same State table). The City’s Housing Element says Calistoga “has a substantially higher proportion of mobile homes compared to the county’s and state’s housing unit type distribution”.

The original town plat

Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne and vernacular

The City’s 2012 plan says, “Calistoga’s richest stock of older buildings consists of single-family houses concentrated on the streets of the original town plat.” It adds, “Surviving nineteenth-century houses are designed in Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, and vernacular styles.”

The first half of the twentieth century

Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Bungalow, Tudor Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival

The same plan says, “Houses from the first half of the twentieth century display Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Bungalow, Tudor Revival, and Spanish Colonial Revival styling.”

Mobile home parks

Four parks, with a zoning district of their own since 2007

The City’s Housing Element says, “there are four mobile home parks in the City: Calistoga Springs, Chateau Calistoga, Rancho de Calistoga, and Fairway Manor”. It says the City created a Mobile Home Park zoning district in 2007.

Large lots

Single-family homes on large lots planted with grapevines or orchards

The City’s 2015 Land Use Element says, “A distinctive feature of the Calistoga Planning Area is the placement of single-family homes on large lots planted with grapevines or orchards.” The Planning Area is wider than the city.

Older roofs and gutters need a different hand: Gutter Repair · Roof Repair · Gutter Installation

The story of Calistoga

History and character