Board of Supervisors to consider new timeshare regulations to address short-term fractionally owned properties

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Monday will consider amending the zoning code to clarify regulations for timeshares and the transient use of fractionally owned residential properties. The amendments come in response to concerns from the public regarding the impacts of transient, or short-term, fractionally owned properties on housing supply, neighborhood character, noise, parking and traffic.

On May 10, 2022, the board directed Permit Sonoma staff to study and develop an ordinance addressing the short-term use of fractionally owned residential property. If adopted, the proposed Zoning Code amendments will add definitions and standards for timeshares, clarifying that short-term use of fractionally owned residential property is considered a timeshare use. The amendments also specify where timeshares may be permitted within commercial-zoned land. On April 6, the Planning Commission voted to recommend adoption of the proposed ordinance to the Board of Supervisors.

While the proposed ordinance would regulate the use of residential properties as timeshares, it would not prohibit the fractional ownership of residential property. The amendments will ensure that timeshares are only allowed within designated zones, preserving housing for long-term residents and limiting commercial, visitor-serving land uses in residential areas.

See the Board of Supervisors meeting agenda for more information about the proposed ordinance.

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Media Contacts:
Bradley Dunn, Permit Sonoma Policy Manager 
Bradley.Dunn@sonoma-county.org
(707) 321-0502
2550 Ventura Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Stuart Tiffen, Communications Specialist 
stuart.tiffen@sonoma-county.org
(707) 565-1860
575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A