Sonoma County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Sonoma County, CA, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Governing code
- County Code Sec. 26-88-120
- Standard permit
- Zoning permit (Permit Sonoma)
- Non-conforming rentals
- Require a use permit
- Permit term
- Expires on sale/transfer of property
- Issuing agency
- Permit Sonoma (PRMD)
- Excluded zones
- AH and X Combining Zones barred
Summary
Whole-house vacation rentals in unincorporated Sonoma County require a zoning permit under County Code Sec. 26-88-120, issued by Permit Sonoma. Rentals that meet all standards qualify for a zoning permit; those that do not need a use permit. The permit runs with the owner and expires on sale or transfer.
(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 expire upon sale or transfer of the property. (e) Permit Requirements. 1. Maximum Number of Guestrooms. Vacation rentals may have a maximum of five (5) guestrooms or sleeping rooms. Vacation rentals with more than five (5) guestrooms or sleeping rooms may only be allowed if adequate sewage disposal capacity exists and neighborhood compatibility can be demonstrated, subject to the granting of a use permit. (f) Performance Standards. 8. Certified Twenty-Four-Hour Property Manager. All vacation rentals operating within unincorporated Sonoma County must have a certified property manager who is available twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week during all times that the property is rented or used on a transient basis.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Under Sonoma County Zoning Code Sec. 26-88-120(c), a vacation rental (the rental of a whole private residence for 30 days or less) is allowed in the underlying zone only when it obtains a zoning permit from Permit Sonoma. Rentals meeting every standard in the section receive a zoning permit; rentals that exceed the standards (for example, more than five guestrooms, larger occupancy, or multiple structures) may only be approved through a discretionary use permit. Per Sec. 26-88-120(d), zoning permits run with the landowner and automatically expire upon sale or transfer of the property, while use permits run with the land but may be issued for a limited term and may be revoked for non-compliance under Article 92.
Sec. 26-88-120(b) bars vacation rentals in non-habitable structures, second dwelling units, affordable or farmworker housing, on Williamson Act lands, and on parcels in the AH or X (Exclusion) Combining Zones. Permit Sonoma describes a four-step process: become a certified property manager, obtain the transient vacation rental (zoning) permit, get a Transient Occupancy Tax number, and obtain a vacation rental license under County Code Chapter 4, Article VIII. The application package includes a Planning Application (PJR-001), an Indemnification Agreement (PJR-011), a Vacation Rentals Application (PJR-096), and a site plan.
Violations & Fines
Operating a vacation rental without a valid zoning or use permit is a violation of Sec. 26-88-120. Code enforcement may issue a notice of violation and impose penalties under Chapter 1 of the County Code, and the permit may be scheduled for a revocation hearing before the Board of Zoning Adjustments. A revoked permit cannot be reapplied for at least one year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run a vacation rental in unincorporated Sonoma County?
Does the permit transfer when I sell the property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sonoma County
How Sonoma County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·California rules heatmap·Compare Sonoma County to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
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