Permit Requirements: Rohnert Park vs Sonoma
How do permit requirements rules compare between Rohnert Park, CA and Sonoma, CA?
Rohnert Park and Sonoma have similar restriction levels.
Rohnert Park, CA
Sonoma County
Unincorporated Sonoma County requires TWO approvals before operating a non-hosted vacation rental: (1) a Vacation Rental Zoning Permit under Sonoma County Code Sec. 26-88-120, and (2) an annual Vacation Rental License under Code Chapter 4, Article VIII (Ord. 6386, as amended by Ord. 6427 in May 2023). Operators must also obtain a separate Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate and use a Certified Vacation Rental Property Manager available 24/7. Operating without all three approvals is a violation.
View full Rohnert Park rules →Sonoma, CA
Sonoma County
Under Sonoma Municipal Code § 19.50.110 (adopted by Ordinance 12-2017 on Dec. 4, 2017), new vacation rentals are not allowed in any residential, mixed-use, or commercial zone of the City of Sonoma. The only exception is the adaptive re-use of a historic structure, and only previously licensed rentals (valid business license + TOT registration as of Nov. 3, 1999) may continue as legal non-conforming uses.
View full Sonoma rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Rohnert Park | Sonoma |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning Code | Sec. 26-88-120 (vacation rentals) | - |
| License Code | Ch. 4, Art. VIII (Ord. 6386 / 6427) | - |
| Exclusion Zone | X Combining District — prohibited | - |
| Density Cap | 5% or 10% of housing stock per Cap zone | - |
| License Renewal | Annual (365 days) | - |
| Property Manager | County-certified, 24/7 availability | - |
| New permits available | - | No — banned since Jan. 2018 |
| Governing section | - | SMC § 19.50.110 |
| Grandfather cutoff date | - | November 3, 1999 |
| Only exception | - | Adaptive re-use of a historic structure |
| Enforcement contact | - | City Code Enforcement / City Prosecutor |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Rohnert Park FAQ
Can I get a new non-hosted vacation rental permit in unincorporated Sonoma County right now?
In most areas, no. Permit Sonoma reports that every Vacation Rental Cap Combining District has already exceeded its 5% density cap, and the X Combining District is a total prohibition. Hosted rentals under Sec. 26-88-118 (owner remains on-site) are not subject to the cap and may still be permitted.
What's the difference between the zoning permit and the license?
The Sec. 26-88-120 zoning permit is the underlying land-use entitlement and runs with the landowner. The Article VIII annual license is a separate business authorization that must be renewed every 365 days. Both are required, plus a TOT certificate from the Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector.
Do I need a certified property manager if I live nearby and self-manage?
Yes. Sec. 26-88-120 requires every non-hosted vacation rental to designate a Certified Vacation Rental Property Manager — a person who has passed the county certification exam — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during all rental periods. Owners may certify themselves.
Sonoma FAQ
Can I get a new vacation rental permit in the City of Sonoma?
No. Ordinance 12-2017 removed vacation rentals as a permitted or conditionally permitted use in all residential, Commercial (C, CG) and Mixed Use (MX) zones effective January 2018. The only avenue for a new permit is the adaptive re-use of a designated historic structure.
I'm buying a Sonoma home that has an active vacation rental — does the permit transfer?
Only rentals 'licensed' as of November 3, 1999 (per SMC § 19.50.110(B)) qualify as legal non-conforming uses. The City Planning Department maintains the official list at sonomacity.org/documents/vacation-rentals-list/. If the property is not on that list, you cannot operate it as a vacation rental.
Does this ban apply to the unincorporated Sonoma Valley / Boyes Hot Springs / Glen Ellen?
No. Those areas are governed by Sonoma County, not the City. They have their own permit and license system (Sonoma County Code Ch. 26-88-120 zoning permit + Ch. 4 Art. VIII license) administered by Permit Sonoma.
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