Short-Term Rentals in Santa Rosa, CA (2026)
6 verified short-term rentals rules for Santa Rosa, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Santa Rosa requires a Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit for every property rented for less than 30 consecutive days. The City is no longer accepting new Non-Hosted applications; only Hosted STRs (where the owner's principal residence is on-site) are available to new applicants.
STR permit required; hosted-only for new applicants
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Santa Rosa - Short-Term Vacation Rentals program page (implementing Zoning Code Ch. 20-48; Ord. 2021-011, 2022-008, 2023-008, 2023-011)
A Short-Term Rental (STR) is a dwelling unit, or a portion of a dwelling unit, that is rented for less than 30 consecutive days. A permit is required before renting, advertising, or listing. Permits are issued only to the property owner. Permits are non-transferable (with limited exceptions). Permits are valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Beginning January 2025, STR operators in S...
Noise Rules
Santa Rosa imposes strict noise rules on short-term rentals. Quiet hours are 9 PM to 8 AM, and outdoor amplified sound is prohibited at all times. Violations can lead to permit revocation.
Santa Rosa STR Noise Rules
Heavy RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
Santa Rosa requires short-term rental operators to collect and remit Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) at a rate set by city ordinance. All operators must register with the Finance Department.
Santa Rosa STR Taxes & Fees
Heavy RestrictionsParking Rules
Santa Rosa requires short-term rental properties to provide adequate off-street parking for guests. On-street parking by guests must not block driveways or violate local parking restrictions.
Santa Rosa STR Parking Requirements
Some RestrictionsCal. Veh. Code § 22651
22651. A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, or a regularly employed and salaried employee who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of a city, county, or jurisdiction of a state agency in which a vehicle is located may remove a vehicle located within the territorial limits in which th...
Occupancy Limits
Santa Rosa caps overnight occupancy at two short-term renters per bedroom, not to exceed 10 people total. Daytime guests are limited to one-half the overnight occupancy between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., and outdoor amplified sound is prohibited at all times.
2 per bedroom, max 10 overnight; daytime guests capped
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Santa Rosa - STR Compliance page (Zoning Code Ch. 20-48 operational standards)
Overnight short-term renters: Limited to two people per bedroom and not to exceed 10 people. Daytime guests: Limited to half the overnight occupancy during 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Quiet hours are maintained from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.; Amplified sound prohibited. STRs may not be used as event space.
Insurance Requirements
Santa Rosa Chapter 20-48 does not set a specific minimum liability dollar figure for short-term rentals. The City's STR application packet asks operators to maintain liability coverage but does not publish a fixed amount; standard practice and platform guidance suggest at least $1 million. Most homeowner policies exclude paid stays under 30 days.
short-term-rentals/insurance-requirements
Few RestrictionsLooking for Sonoma County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Rosa city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Sonoma County →