Vacation Rental Permits & Licensing
Vacation Rental Licenses Now Required
A Vacation Rental License is now required for all vacation rentals. Information on how to obtain a license: Vacation Rental Permit and License Application
Vacation Rentals
Vacation rentals are the rental of a whole private residence for periods of 30 days or less. Vacation Rentals do not include Bed and Breakfast Inns or hosted rentals, which are regulated differently.
Tell us what you’re looking for by selecting one of the options below to help us guide you:
- I want to apply for a Vacation Rental or want to know where they are allowed
- I want to file a complaint about a Vacation Rental
- I have a Vacation Rental Violation
- I’m a Property Manager or want to become one and need information
- I want to stop operating my Vacation Rental
- I'm looking for answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Vacation rentals must have each of the following:
- Vacation Rental Permit
- Certified Vacation Property Manager
- Vacation Rental License
- Meet Performance Standards to ensure compatibility with surrounding residential uses
Information on how to apply: Vacation Rental Permit and License Application
Vacation Rental Applications and Where Allowed
Vacation Rentals vs. Hosted Rentals
Below are key characteristics/differences between vaction rentals and hosted rentals.
Vacation | Hosted |
---|---|
Vacation rentals are the rental of a private residence for periods of 30 days or less. |
Hosted rentals are the rental of a single room or sleeping area within a single-family dwelling, where the property owner remains in residence. |
Vacation rentals do not include Bed and Breakfast Inns or hosted rentals permitted in accordance with the Sonoma County Code for B&Bs and hosted rentals, or occasional home exchanges that are not otherwise subject to Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). |
Hosted rentals do not include vacation rentals permitted in accordance with the Sonoma County Code for vacation rentals, or occasional home exchanges that are not otherwise subject to Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). |
Vacation rentals must have a Certified Vacation Property Manager and meet Performance Standards to ensure compatibility with surrounding residential uses. |
Hosted rentals must meet Performance Standards to ensure compatibility with surrounding residential uses. |
Where are Vacation Rentals Allowed?
Vacation rentals are allowed (with a permit) in the following locations:
- In the Coastal Zone (PDF)
- In certain Agriculture Residential (AR), Rural Residential (RR), and Planned Community Rural Residential (PCRR) zoning districts
- In existing single-family residences in the C2, LC, and K zoning districts
- In certain Agricultural and Resource zones, including Land Extensive Agriculture (LEA), Diverse Agriculture (DA), and Resource and Rural Development (RRD)
- In certain Vacation Rental Cap Zone Combining Districts where concentrations are below the designated cap
Vacation rentals are not allowed in the following locations:
- The Low-Density Residential zone (R1)
- Higher-density residential districts (R2, R3)
- Lands within an Agricultural Preserve that is subject to a Land Conservation Act (Williamson Act) Contract
- Land Intensive Agriculture (LIA) zoned properties
- Accessory Dwelling Units (previously known as Second Dwelling Units)
- Farm Family, Agricultural Employee, or Farmworker housing units
- Temporary structures (Yurts, tiny homes on wheels, etc.)
- Non-habitable structures
- Areas designated as Vacation Rental Exclusion (X) Combining District and areas of over concentration in Vacation Rental Cap Zone Combining Districts
If you are unsure of what your zoning is, please consult Permit Sonoma's Official Zoning Database.
Please also review our new Vacation Rental Map Viewer to see if your parcel is allowed to have a Vacation Rental!
How to Apply for a Vacation Rental Permit and Fees
Vacation Rental Applications
A successful Vacation Rental Application will complete four steps.
- Become a Certified Vacation Rental Property Manager.
- Obtain Transient Vacation Rental Permit (Zoning Permit).
- Obtain Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Number.
- Obtain Vacation Rental License.
Learn More: Vacation Rental Permitting Process, How to Apply, Renewal, and Fees
Complaints and How to File
If you experience problems with a nearby vacation rental property in unincorporated Sonoma County, there is a process for submitting a complaint about that vacation rental property.
Learn More About the Complaint Process
Violations
Information is for property owners who have received a violation notice for Operating a Vacation Rental without the required zoning permit or Operating a Hosted Rental without a required zoning permit.
Vacation Rental and Hosted Rental Violations
Property Manager Information
A property manager who is certified by Sonoma County is required for all vacation rental properties. Learn more information on the property manager requirement, certification process and materials, updating property manager contact information, and reporting forms.
Cessation of Vacation Rental Use
Vacation Rental Zoning Permits and Hosted Rental Zoning Permits expire automatically upon the sale or transfer of a vacation rental or hosted rental property. Property owners who have sold their property should also let Permit Sonoma know as soon as possible in order not to be held liable for any vacation rental or hosted rental use of the property once it has been sold.
This form should be completed and submitted in all cases where the home is no longer being used as a vacation rental or hosted rental.
Fill out the PJR-145 Affidavit of Cessation of Vacation Rental or Hosted Rental Use (PDF) and follow the instructions on the form for submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about vacation rental and hosted rental permitting in unincorporated Sonoma County.
What is a Vacation Rental?
Vacation rentals are the rental of a private residence for periods of 30 days or less. Vacation rentals do not include traditional Bed and Breakfast Inns or hosted rentals, which are described below.
What is a Hosted Rental?
Hosted rentals are the rental of a single room or sleeping area within a single-family dwelling, where the property owner remains in residence.
More Information: Hosted Rental Permits
Does my parcel allow a Vacation Rental?
Vacation Rentals are allowed in certain Zoning Districts with appropriate permitting. Please review the Vacation Rental Map Viewer to check eligibility.
More Information Email: PRMD-VacationRentals@sonoma-county.org
How do the new Vacation Rental Ordinances affect my existing approved Vacation Rental Permit?
Deadlines:
- Existing Vacation Rental Operators are required to comply with the new Vacation Rental Licenses Ordinance including obtaining a license by June 15, 2024.
- In the Coastal Zone, all existing Vacation Rental operations must obtain a license by April 11, 2025.
The newly applied Vacation Rental Cap Zones and X Combining Zones do not affect currently permitted vacation rentals.
How do I obtain a Vacation Rental License?
Coastal Zone Vacation Rental Operators:
See How Are Vacation Rentals Regulated on the Coast? FAQ below.
Existing Vacation Rental Operators:
- All operators are required to comply with the new Vacation Rental Licenses Ordinance and obtain a license. For information on how to obtain a license please visit our Vacation Rental Permit and License Application Page.
- Outside of the Coastal Zone, legally operating vacation rentals and applicants who submitted a Vacation Rental Zoning Permit prior to June 16, 2023 are exempt from the following Vacant Rental License property ownership requirements:
- “All property owners must be individuals”
- “A property owner may only have an ownership interested in one licensed vacation rental at a time.”
New Vacation Rental Applicants:
- After a vacation rental zoning permit and a TOT registration ID have been obtained, applicants are required to file an application for and obtain a Vacation Rental License. Permit Sonoma will provide instructions on applying for a Vacation Rental License during your application process.
How do I register for Transient Occupancy Tax?
All Vacation Rentals are subject to Transient Occupancy Tax and must be registered with the program.
Information on how to register: Sonoma County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector Office Transient Occupancy Tax
My Parcel is in an “X” Percentage Cap Zone, When Can I Apply for a Vacation Rental?
Cap Zones are areas where the County has established limits on the total number of Vacation Rentals - typically 5% of the dwellings in a designated neighborhood.
Most of these zones are already at or above capacity and no new Vacation Rental permits can be issued until the current number of Vacation Rentals decrease. This only happens when Vacation Rental properties change hands, Vacation Rentals are voluntarily ceased, or a Vacation Rental permit is otherwise revoked. Permit Sonoma is not able to provide an estimate of when these areas will be able to accommodate new vacation rentals, but in effected areas, this may take a number of years.
If you are interested in applying for a vacation rental in a cap area that is over capacity, you may submit an application for a Vacation Rental permit and be placed on a waiting list.
Our Vacation Rental Map Viewer will tell you if your parcel is in one of these zones and what the current concentration is.
How Do We Join the Exclusion “X” or Cap Zone “X5” Combining Districts?
If you or your neighborhood would like to rezone one or more parcels to exclude, or limit vacation rentals, please review: "Exclusion (X) Combining District"
How Do I Submit a Complaint About a Vacation Rental?
If you experience problems with a nearby vacation rental property in unincorporated Sonoma County, you may submit a complaint.
Important: DO NOT put yourself in harm's way when making a complaint. CALL 911 if you feel your safety is in jeopardy or there is an emergency.
More Information: Vacation Rental Complaints
Can I rent a vacation rental for a wedding, party, or similar event?
In most cases, no. Weddings, parties with more people than the limit on the vacation rental, and any event with amplified sound are allowed only if a special permit has been issued specifically for those events. These events are never allowed in conjunction with a vacation rental in the residential zones, nor in the Land Intensive Agriculture (LIA) Zone. You may use the Permit History Lookup for the parcel you are considering renting to see if a special permit has been issued. Use of a vacation rental is subject to performance standards, including noise and occupancy limits. Most special events require a special event permit that establishes additional standards. Any special event occurring on a property with a vacation rental must comply with all applicable standards.
Can I use my Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) for a Vacation or Hosted Rental?
No. In Accordance with California state law and Sonoma County Zoning Ordinance Section 26-28-160 ADUs are not permitted structures for a Vacation, Hosted Rentals, or any short term occupancy under 30 days.
Allowable structures for Vacation Rentals include:
- A detached single family dwelling unit.
- A detached single family dwelling unit together with its legally established guest house.
Please note guest houses are specifically defined in Ordinance 26-24-170 as “An accessory building, maximum 640 square feet, to a single-family dwelling which consists of a detached living area of a permanent type of construction, which may contain a full or half bathroom, but may not contain provisions for appliances or fixtures for the storage and/or preparation of food, including, but not limited to, refrigeration, dishwashers or cooking facilities.”
Who is allowed to obtain a Vacation Rental License?
The licensee must be a property owner.
"Property owner" means a person with an ownership interest in the real property upon which a vacation rental is located or proposed. If the property is held in trust, "property owner" includes the present beneficiaries, but not the trustee, unless the trustee is also a present beneficiary. "Property owner" does not include a person with an ownership interest that is solely a security, lien, or encumbrance.
All property owners must be individuals, which means a natural person. A limited liability company or LLC is not a natural person and may not be a licensee.
If a property is held in trust, a trustee may apply for a license on behalf of the trust beneficiaries.
Are there limits on the number of Vacation Rentals someone can own?
A property owner may only have an ownership interest in one (1) licensed vacation rental at a time.
A vacation rental that was legally operating, or for which a land use permit application was accepted, prior to June 15, 2023, is not subject to this limitation.
I received a violation notice for my vacation rental or hosted rental. What do I do to correct the violation?
Follow the instructions provided in the notice and on Code Enforcement's Vacation Rental Violation page. Generally, you have two options to correct the violation: Obtain a permit and pay penalty fees or cease operations.
I have a problem with my neighbor’s vacation rental. What can I do?
Follow the procedure for submitting a complaint.
If you feel there is an emergency or a public safety issue, please contact the Sheriff’s Department for assistance.
How Are Vacation Rentals Regulated on the Coast?
Vacation Rentals in the Coastal Zone are subject to the same permit requirements as those in inland areas including a zoning permit, vacation rental license, TOT registration, and property manager certification.
Vacation Rentals Newly Operating After April 11, 2024
Required Permit Items:
- property manager certification
- zoning permit
- Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) registration
- vacation rental license
Deadline: All permits are required prior to operation.
Vacation Rentals Newly Operating from October 27, 2023 to and including April 11, 2024
Required Permit Items:
- property manager certification
- zoning permit
- Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) registration
- vacation rental license
Deadline: TOT registration is required to operate. All other permits and certification must be obtained by April 11, 2025.
Vacation Rentals Newly Operating from October 26, 2018 to and including October 26, 2023
Required Permit Items:
Deadline: TOT registration is required to operate. All other permits must be obtained by April 11, 2025.
A zoning permit will not be required if transient occupancy tax was paid between October 26, 2018 and October 26, 2023.
What is Next for the Vacation Rental program?
Permit Sonoma will continue to implement the current Vacation Rental program and closely monitor its effectiveness. In addition, the County will consider potential changes to the program through the multi-year, countywide General Plan Update, starting in 2024.