Vacation Rental Permit

Vacation Rentals

Vacation rentals are the rental of a private residence for periods of 30 days or less. 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). Vacation rentals must have a Certified Vacation Property Manager and meet Performance Standards to ensure compatibility with surrounding residential uses.

Coastal Zone: The owners of Coastal Zone vacation rentals must register to pay Transient Occupancy Tax.

Where are Vacation Rentals Allowed?

Vacation rentals are allowed (with a permit) in the following locations:

• In homes in single-family residential zoning districts (AR and RR)
• In existing single-family residences in the LC zoning district
• Agricultural and resource zones, including LEA, DA, and RRD (except for lands within an Agricultural Preserve that are subject to a Land Conservation Act (Williamson Act) Contract)

Vacation rentals are not allowed in the following locations:

• The Low-Density Residential zone (R1)
• Higher-density residential districts (R2, R3, PC)
• 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
• Non-habitable structures
• Areas designated (e.g., the Exclusion (X) Combining District) 

If you are unsure of what your zoning is, please consult Permit Sonoma's Official Zoning Database.

Apply for a Vacation Rental Permit

Vacation Rental Applications

A successful Vacation Rental Application will complete four steps. 

• First, an operator must identify or become a certified Vacation Rental Property manager. A person must pass a County of Sonoma certification exam to become a Certified Vacation Property Manager.
  
  
• Second, a property owner must obtain a Transient Vacation Rental Permit for a property by registering for a Permits Online Account, submitting complete application forms and application materials, and paying the fee.
  
  
• Third, secure a Transient Occupancy Tax Number from the Auditor-Controller Treasurer-Tax Collector Department.
  
  
• Fourth, you must apply and be approved for a Vacation Rental License. A Vacation Rental License lasts for one year, and an operator must apply to renew their license annually to continue to run a Vacation Rental.

Please note that if you were a vacation rental operator before June 15, 2023, Permit Sonoma will contact you at the appropriate time to begin applying for a Vacation Rental Business License.

Identifying or Becoming a Certified Vacation Rental Property Manager

A property manager who is certified by Sonoma County is required for all vacation rental properties. This page contains information on the property manager requirement, certification process and materials, updating property manager contact information, and reporting forms. Learn more on our Vacation Rental Property Manager page.

Transient Vacation Rental Permit

A complete Transient Vacation Rental Permit application must be submitted electronically by following the steps outlined below. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. All forms listed must be filled out completely (no blank spaces). 

1. Register for a Permits Online Account
   
   
   1. Before applying for your permit, you must register for a Permits Online account if you do not already have one. A Permits Online account is needed so you can check the status of your permits, pay permit fees, schedule inspections (if applicable), etc.
      
      Make note of the email address you use to log into your Permits Online account and provide it to Permit Sonoma staff in Step 3 below.
      
      
2. Ensure You Have a Complete Application
   

   Note: All documents must be submitted electronically. Permit Sonoma staff may, upon request, provide some assistance with electronic submittal if required.

   1. Application Forms:
      
      
      1. PJR-001 Planning Application (PDF | 181 KB), signed by the applicant and property owner.
         
         
      2. PJR-011 Indemnification Agreement (PDF | 132 KB), signed by the owner or agent with the owner’s written authorization.
         
         
      3. PJR-096 Vacation Rentals Application (PDF | 364 KB)
         
         
   2. Required Application Materials:
      
      
      1. Site plan meeting the requirements of PJR-129 Site Plan Requirements for Planning Applications, and clearly identifying all structures on the property and their uses; the location of all exterior light fixtures; the access to the property (public road, private road, driveway); proposed on and off-site parking; and any outdoor areas that will be made available as part of the Vacation Rental (pool, spa, etc.). 
         
         
      2. Floor plan, identifying all rooms in the home or structures, including the number and location of guest rooms to be used as a part of the Vacation Rental. Exits must be clearly shown.
         
         
      3. If the vacation rental is to be served by a septic system, provide proof of septic capacity. Applicants may need to visit the Permit Sonoma Records Division for this documentation.

   3. Upload Complete Applications:

      1. Applications are required to be submitted as one merged PDF. View Instructions for Combining PDFs.
         
         
      2. Email your complete application to: PlanningApplications@sonoma-county.org.
         
         
      3. Provide the email address you use to log into your Permits Online account. (See Step 1 above.)
         
         
      4. If the application is determined to be complete for submission, you will receive an email with an invoice for the required application fees.
         
         
      5. If the application is incomplete for submission, you will be notified of the required revisions or missing materials.

      If you do not receive a response within two (2) business days, please email PlanningApplications@sonoma-county.org.

   4. Pay the Filing fee:
      
      See the current Permit Sonoma Project Review Fee Schedule. Fees will be determined once the full scope of a project is evaluated by Permit Sonoma staff at the time of application submittal. If paying by check, please do not fill in amounts on checks prior to application acceptance. 
      
      
      1. An application will be considered accepted upon receipt of payment.
         
         
      2. Once you receive the application invoice, please visit our online permitting website and select ‘Pay Fees’ on the home page. Enter the Record Number and click ‘Search’. Select the ‘Payments’ Tab at the top and then ‘Pay Fee’ on the right side of the invoice line. Follow the instructions from there.
         
         
      3. Please email PlanningApplications@sonoma-county.org to notify us that you have paid.
         
         
      4. Once we have received payment, we will begin to process your permit and contact you by email regarding the status of your application.

Transient Occupancy Tax Number

A Transient Occupancy Tax Registration Form For Short Term Rentals must be submitted by a vacation rental operator to acquire a Transient Occupancy Tax Number.  The form can either be emailed to tot@sonoma-county.org or physically mailed to 585 Fiscal Drive, Suite 100, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. An applicant must wait for the issuance of a Transient Occupancy Tax Number before seeking a Transient Vacation Rental License.

Acquiring or Renewing a Vacation Rental License

Only after receiving approval for a Transient Vacation Rental Permit and Transient Occupancy Tax Number can a property owner seek a Vacation Rental License. To operate a Vacation Rental in Sonoma County, you must apply for a Vacation Rental License. A Vacation Rental License lasts for one year, and an operator must apply to renew their license annually to continue to run a Vacation Rental.

If you were a vacation rental operator before June 15, 2023, Permit Sonoma will contact you at the appropriate time to begin applying for a Vacation Rental Business License.

Please note that a new PJR-001 and PJR-011 are required for this step.

1. Application Forms:
   
   
   1. PJR-001 Planning Application (PDF | 181 KB), signed by the applicant and property owner.
      
      
   2. PJR-011 Indemnification Agreement (PDF | 132 KB), signed by the owner or agent with the owner’s written authorization.
      
      
   3. PJR-146 Vacation Rental License Application (PDF | 242 KB)
      
      
2. Required Application Materials:
   
   
   1. Lighting Plan:

      Provide a site plan meeting the requirements of PJR-129 Site Plan Requirements for Planning Applications and clearly identifying all structures on the property and their uses; the location of all exterior light fixtures; the access to the property (public road, private road, driveway); proposed on and off-site parking; and any outdoor areas that will be made available as part of the Vacation Rental (pool, spa, etc.).   

   2. Ownership Verification:
      
      In addition to the application materials listed above, license applicants who had their Transient Vacation Rental Permit (TVR) application accepted on or after June 16, 2023, must provide the following:
      
      
      1. Copy of current ownership deed(s):
         
         The licensee must be a property owner, except if the vacation rental property is held in trust, in which case the trustee may apply for a license on behalf of the trust beneficiaries. All property owners must be individuals, and each property owner must consent to the application.
         
         
      2. In addition to a current ownership deed, Permit Sonoma staff may request the following additional items to verify current property ownership: 
         
         
         1. Title Report. A current title report setting forth the names and recorded document numbers of all owners and holders of beneficial interests in the parcel. Detailed ownership must be provided, including a full listing of all ”et al” owners.
            
            
         2. Trust Certification. By all currently acting trustees of the trust pursuant to section 18100.5 of the California Probate Code.
            
            

3. Upload Complete Applications:

   1. Applications are required to be submitted as one merged PDF. View Instructions for Combining PDFs.
      
      
   2. Email your complete application to: PlanningApplications@sonoma-county.org.
      
      
   3. Provide the email address you use to log into your Permits Online account (see Step 1 above).
      
      
   4. If the application is determined to be complete for submission, you will receive an email with an invoice for the required application fees.
      
      
   5. If the application is incomplete for submission, you will be notified of the required revisions or missing materials.

   If you do not receive a response within two (2) business days, please email PlanningApplications@sonoma-county.org.

4. Filing fee: 
   
   See the current Permit Sonoma Project Review Fee Schedule. Fees will be determined once the full scope of a project is evaluated by Permit Sonoma staff at the time of application submittal. If paying by check, please do not fill in amounts on checks prior to application acceptance. 

Renewal

A license expires one year from the date of issuance and may be renewed annually in accordance with the license renewal process established by the Director.

A license or renewal will not be issued if there is an open code violation associated with a vacation rental on the parcel. An open code violation means a notice and order or administrative citation has been issued and the violation has not been abated, or the costs and civil penalties have not been paid, or both.

Vacation Rental Permit Fees

Vacation rental permits require payment of the following fees:

• 1166 – Zoning Permit Level II 
• 1052 – Environmental Review CEQA Exemption
• 0140 – Technology Enhancement Surcharge - 1.3% of permit fees

View Fee Schedule for Fee Amounts

Vacation Rental License Fees

Vacation rental license applications are required to pay the following fees:

• 1163 - Vacation Rental Annual Monitoring
• 1162 - Vacation Rental Noticing
• 0140 – Technology Enhancement Surcharge - 1.3% of permit fees

Vacation Rental License Renewal Fees

Vacation rental license renewal applications are required to pay the following fees:

• 1163 - Vacation Rental Annual Monitoring
• 1162 - Vacation Rental Noticing

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 | 1.07 MB) and follow the instructions on the form for submission.