Vacation Rental Permits & Licensing
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.
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
How to Apply: Vacation Rental Permit and License Application
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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. |
| Read More About Vacation Rentals | Read More About Hosted Rentals |
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
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