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FAQs

Generally, when a home that was intended for permanent occupancy is rented out or occupied for periods of 30 days or less, it is considered a vacation rental. A vacation rental may include both a house and a guest house, but cannot include uninhabitable structures like garages, barns or sheds. A vacation rental does not include a bed and breakfast inn permitted and operated in accordance with the County Code, or occasional home exchanges that are not otherwise subject to Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT).

Vacation Rentals are allowed in most residential and agricultural zoning districts with a zoning permit or use permit. They are not allowed on any property under a Williamson Act (Ag Preserve) contract, not on properties zoned for high-density housing (R2 and R3 zones) or on prime agricultural lands zoned LIA (Land Intensive Agriculture). If you are unsure of what your zoning is, please consult PRMD's Official Zoning Database or the ActiveMap GIS online mapping application.

Most vacation rental permits involving 5 bedrooms or less will require a zoning permit fee ($172 in 2011/12). Vacation rentals with more than 5 guest rooms or those that wish to hold special events like weddings require a use permit and additional permit requirements and fees. In addition to the permit requirements, owners of vacation rentals must register with the Sonoma County Auditor’s Office to collect and pay transient occupancy taxes. Please call the Vacation Rental Hotline at (707) 565-1932 for more information about the use permit process.

The zoning permit for vacation rentals of 5 bedrooms or less are a one-time permit, but will expire upon transfer of ownership or tenancy of the vacation rental property. New owners will need to apply for a new zoning permit if they intend to continue renting the home as a vacation rental. Use permits generally “run with the land” in perpetuity and do not expire upon transfer or sale. Property owners are required to collect and pay a transient occupancy tax to the County Auditor’s office on a quarterly basis.

If your vacation rental is for 5 guest rooms or less, you will not be required to upgrade your septic, but you must maintain a properly functioning system. Reduced guest room and overnight occupancy limits will apply if your septic has a conditional approval or an operating permit that limits the number of bedrooms. Generally, vacation rentals requiring a use permit (i.e. more than 5 guest rooms or requesting special events) must bring the septic system up to current standards. Property owners are cautioned to avoid occupancies that exceed the design capacity of septic system as these systems could be damaged beyond repair.

The vacation rental ordinance was adopted for Chapter 26 of the Sonoma County code which only applies to areas outside of the Coastal Commission’s jurisdiction. An update of the Coastal zoning policies is underway and will address vacation rentals in the Coastal zone.

Yes, if you are operating the vacation rental outside of the coastal zone. Your vacation rental will need either a zoning permit or a use permit, depending on the number of guest rooms and whether or not you hold special events like weddings and reunions. For more information about Vacation Rental Permits, please visit PRMD’s Vacation Rental Ordinance and Forms page. To find out whether or not your property is located within the coastal zone, please consult PRMD's Official Zoning Database, the ActiveMap GIS online mapping application or, call the Planner Phone.

You can access the Vacation Rental Permit by entering the property address into the “Permit History” system on the PRMD website given above. If a vacation rental permit has been issued, the description will reflect both the maximum occupancies allowed, and the 24 hr/7 days per week phone number for any problems. If there is a vacation rental permit, you must call the 24/7 number first to try to have the problem resolved. You should receive a response within 1 hour. If you do not receive a response, or if there is no vacation rental permit, please e-mail Code Enforcement.

If you feel there is an emergency or a public safety issue, please contact the Sheriff’s Department for assistance.

Please call the Vacation Rental Hotline at (707) 565-1932 or visit the PRMD’s Vacation Rental Ordinance and Forms web page.

Please visit the Sonoma County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector Office Transient Occupancy Tax web homepage.