County of Sonoma
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Vacation Rentals & Hosted Rentals

How to Electronically Submit Applications for Short-term Rental Permits

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Customers must submit vacation and hosted rental permit applications electronically. Because our online permitting portal is not yet configured for vacation rental e-submittals, the submittal process will take place by email.

Please follow the instructions below to submit an application:

1. Account Registration

Ensure you are registered for a Permits Online account.

Before you can apply for your permit:

  1. Register for a Permits Online account if you do not have one already.
  2. 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.

A Permits Online account is needed so you can check the status of your permits, pay permit fees, schedule inspections (if applicable), etc.

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.

Review the Vacation Rental Permit or the Hosted Rental Permit page for more information about permits, including requirements and fees. If you need assistance determining which forms and materials are required, please send us an email at:
PlanningApplications@sonoma-county.org

Vacation Rental Application Requirements

  1. Application Forms:
    1. PJR-001 Planning Application (PDF: 180 kB), signed by the applicant and property owner(s).
    2. PJR-011 Indemnification Agreement (PDF: 132 kB), signed by owner or agent with owner’s written authorization. A separate indemnification agreement must be signed by each property owner.
    3. PJR-096 Vacation Rentals Application (PDF: 56 kB)
    4. PJR-119 Property Report Checklist (PDF: 151 kB)
  2. 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 access to the property (public road, private road, driveway); the proposed parking; and any outdoor areas that will be made available as part of the Vacation Rental (pool, spa, etc.). 
  3. 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. 
  4. If vacation rental to be served by a septic system, provide proof of septic capacity. Applicants may need to see visit the Permit Sonoma Records Division for this documentation. 
  5. Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration Form (choose appropriate one):
    1. Registration Form for Owner-Operated Rentals (PDF)
    2. Registration Form for Property Managers (PDF)
  6. 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. 

Certified Property Manager Requirement

All new vacation rental permits are required to provide the 24 hour contact information of a property manager who has already passed the property manager certification exam and paid the fee. 

Hosted Rental Application Requirements

  1. Application Forms:
    1. PJR-001 Planning Application (PDF: 180 kB), signed by the applicant and property owner(s).
    2. PJR-011 Indemnification Agreement (PDF: 132 kB), signed by owner or agent with owner’s written authorization. A separate indemnification agreement must be signed by each property owner.
    3. PJR-120 Hosted Rental Applicationand Affidavit(PDF: 166 kB)
  2. 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 access to the property (public road, private road, driveway); the proposed parking; and any outdoor areas that will be made available as part of the Vacation Rental (pool, spa, etc.).
  3. 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 Hosted Rental. Exits must be clearly shown.
  4. If vacation rental to be served by a septic system, provide proof of septic capacity. Applicants may need to see visit the Permit Sonoma Records Division for this documentation.
  5. Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration Form (choose appropriate one):
    1. Registration Form for Owner-Operated Rentals (PDF)
    2. Registration Form for Property Managers (PDF)
  6. 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. 

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 for the Application Online

  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.