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Permit Sonoma › Regulations and Initiatives › Vacation Rentals › Vacation Rental Permit and License Application
Vacation Rentals & Hosted Rentals

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a Vacation Rental Permit or License

Vacation Rental Applications

The following requirements apply to all vacation rentals in the unincorporated County, including those in the Coastal Zone.

  1. Property Manager Certification. The owner or the designated operator become a a Certified Vacation Rental Property Manager. A person must pass a County of Sonoma certification exam to become a Certified Vacation Property Manager.
  2. Transient Vacation Rental Permit. A property owner must obtain a Transient Vacation Rental (TVR) Permit (also known as “Zoning Permit”) for each vacation rental. 
    Exception: In the Coastal Zone,  a vacation rental permit is not required if the vacation rental was legally operated between October 26, 2018                          and October 26, 2023 as demonstrated by payment of transient occupancy tax and additional documentation as required by the Department.
  3. Transient Occupancy Tax. All Vacation Rentals must secure a Transient Occupancy Tax Number from the Auditor-Controller Treasurer-Tax Collector (ACTTC) Department prior to operation.
  4. Annual Vacation Rental License. All Vacation Rentals must obtain a Vacation Rental License prior to operating a Vacation Rental. 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.
    NOTE: In the Coastal Zone, a vacation rental license is not required until April 11, 2025 if the vacation rental was legally operated between October 26, 2018, and October 26, 2023.

Step 1: 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. View information on the property manager requirement, certification process and materials, updating property manager contact information, and reporting forms: Vacation Rental Property Manager

Step 2: Transient Vacation Rental Permit (also known as TVR or Zoning 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).

Ensure You Have a Complete Application!
Note: All documents must be submitted electronically. Permit Sonoma staff may, upon request, provide some assistance with electronic submission if required.

    1. Complete the Online Application
    2. The following application materials must be uploaded when completing the online application linked above:
      1. Site plan. A site plan is required for vacation rental permit and vacation rental license applications. These plans must comply with the following:
        1. Format. All site plans must be legible and drawn to scale. All site plans must include a bar scale, north arrow, project name/applicant, name of preparer, date prepared, and date of last revision. The plan must be saved as a PDF.
        2. Existing Structures and Features. Show and label the use of all existing structures and outdoor use areas including pool/spa, patios, parking areas, accessory structures, fences and outdoor burning areas (e.g. gas grill or gas firepit), and recycling/garbage bin storage location. Include addresses, dimensions and total square footage of structures. Identify existing roads, driveways, access gate, waterways, drainage features, wells, and similar features.
        3. Parking and Access. Identify the location, types and total number of parking spaces for vehicles on an off the site, and access to the property (e.g. public or private road, driveway).
      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. 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.

Step 3: 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.

Step 4: Acquiring a Vacation Rental License

To operate a Vacation Rental in Sonoma County, you must obtain 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.  Renewal Instructions: Go to Step 5

Only after receiving approval for a Transient Vacation Rental Permit and Transient Occupancy Tax Number can a property owner seek a Vacation Rental License. 

  1. Complete the Online Application:
  2. The following application materials must be uploaded when completing the online application linked above:
    1. Site plan. The plan must comply with the following:
      1. Format. All site plans must be legible and drawn to scale. All site plans must include a bar scale, north arrow, project name/applicant, name of preparer, date prepared, and date of last revision. The plan must be saved as a PDF.
      2. Existing Structures and Features. Show and label the use of all existing structures and outdoor use areas including pool/spa, patios, parking areas, accessory structures, fences and outdoor burning areas (e.g. gas grill or gas firepit), and recycling/garbage bin storage location. Include addresses, dimensions and total square footage of structures. Identify existing roads, driveways, access gate, waterways, drainage features, wells, and similar features.
      3. Parking and Access. Identify the location, types and total number of parking spaces for vehicles on an off the site, and access to the property (e.g. public or private road, driveway).
      4. Lighting. Identify the location of all exterior light fixtures.
    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. Additional Information: The following information will also be required as part of the online application process.
      1. TOT certificate number
      2. TOT proof of payment
      3. Certified property manager number
      4. TVR or ZPE permit number.
  3. 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.

Step 5: Vacation Rental License Renewal

A vacation rental license expires 365 days from the date of approval and must be renewed annually by the owner following the instructions below.

  1. Complete the Online Application.
    1. 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.

    Fee Information

    Fee amounts will be calculated by Permit Sonoma staff when preparing your invoices. For estimates of expected fees, please review the following information and View Fee Schedule for Fee Amounts.

    Transient 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

    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
    • 0140 Technology Enhancement Surcharge: 1.3% of permit fees