Short-Term Rentals in Sonoma County, CA (2026)

Sonoma County Code § 26-88-120(c)–(f)

(c) Permits Required. Vacation rentals that meet the standards outlined in this section shall be allowed as provided by the underlying zone, subject to issuance of a zoning permit. Vacation rentals that do not meet the standards in this section may be permitted, subject to the granting of a use permit. (d) Term of Permit. Zoning permits shall run with the landowner and shall automatically expir...

Sonoma County Code § 26-88-120(f)(1)–(2)

(f) Performance Standards. 1. Noise Limits. All activities associated with the vacation rental shall meet the general plan noise standards contained below. Quiet hours shall be from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The property owner shall ensure that the quiet hours and limits on outdoor activities are included in rental agreements and in all online advertisements and listings. Hourly Noise Metric, dBA...

Sonoma County Code § 26-88-120(f)(7); Sonoma County TOT (Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 7280)

(f) Performance Standards. 7. Transient Occupancy Tax. The vacation rental owner or authorized agent shall maintain a transient occupancy tax certificate and remain current on all required reports and payments. Owner or authorized agent shall include the certificate number on all contracts or rental agreements, and in any advertising or websites. — Sonoma County levies a Transient Occupancy Tax...

Sonoma County Code Sec. 26-88-120(e)(5) (recodified as Sec. 26-28-160)

Parking. Parking shall be provided as follows: a minimum of one (1) on-site parking space for a vacation rental with up to two (2) guestrooms or sleeping rooms; two (2) on-site parking spaces for a three (3) or four (4) guestroom vacation rental. Larger vacation rentals must demonstrate adequate parking with a minimum of three (3) spaces. On-street parking may be considered for up to one (1) of...

Sonoma County Code § 26-88-120(e)(2)–(3)

(e) Permit Requirements. 2. Maximum Overnight Occupancy. Maximum overnight occupancy for vacation rentals shall be up to a maximum of two (2) persons per sleeping room or guestroom, plus two (2) additional persons per property, up to a maximum of twelve (12) persons, excluding children under three (3) years of age. Vacation rentals with larger overnight occupancies may only be allowed subject t...

Sonoma County Code Sec. 26-88-120(b) (recodified as Sec. 26-28-160)

The provisions of the section shall apply to all vacation rentals except where there is a primary owner in residence. This section does not apply to legally established hosted rentals or bed and breakfast inns, which are regulated by Section 26-88-118. As used in this section, "primary owner" does not include residences or condominiums owned as a timeshare, limited liability partnership or corp...

Sonoma County Code §§ 26-28-140, 26-88-118(e)(9)

A residential structure with one (1) household or person in permanent residence with one (1) bedroom rented for transient lodging, where meals may be provided. ... A zoning permit for a hosted rental expires upon sale or transfer of the property, or when the property is no longer occupied by a primary owner, whichever occurs sooner.

Sonoma County Code §§ 26-28-140, 26-88-118

A residential structure with one (1) household or person in permanent residence with one (1) bedroom rented for transient lodging, where meals may be provided … Zoning permit required … Maximum one (1) guest bedroom … Limit of one (1) vehicle associated with the transient use … Quiet hours shall be from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. … Outdoor amplified sound is prohibited.

Permit Sonoma Policy 7-0-26; Sonoma County Code Secs. 4-208, 4-209

Upon issuance of the first notice of violation of Vacation Rental regulations, the licensee and certified property manager will receive a warning letter regarding the potential for suspension or revocation if additional violations are confirmed. If a second violation occurs within 12 months of the first, the Vacation Rental license and/or property manager certification may be temporarily suspen...

Sonoma County Code § 4-205(L)(2)

A licensee must disclose if the vacation rental is registered with an online host. If an online host will pay TOT and BIA on the licensee's behalf, it is the licensee's responsibility to confirm the correct amount of TOT and BIA are collected. The licensee remains liable for any TOT and BIA not collected on its behalf. "Online host" means an online hosting platform for vacation rentals, such as...