Registering a vacation rental in unincorporated Sonoma County is a five-step process under Permit Sonoma rules combined with Code Sec. 26-88-120 (zoning) and Chapter 4, Article VIII (license, Ord. 6386/6427): (1) become or hire a county-Certified Vacation Rental Property Manager, (2) obtain the TVR Zoning Permit, (3) register for a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate, (4) apply for the annual Article VIII license, and (5) renew the license every 365 days. All advertising must include accurate permit info and conform to the permitted occupancy.
Each step is mandatory. Step 1: pass the Certified Property Manager exam administered by Permit Sonoma — applicants self-certify on the property or designate a certified manager. Step 2: file the Zoning Permit (TVR) application online with a scaled site plan (bar scale, north arrow, all structures labeled), a floor plan showing each guestroom and exits, and documentation of septic capacity for systems serving more than 5 bedrooms. Step 3: complete the TOT registration form and submit to TOT@sonomacounty.gov or mail to 585 Fiscal Drive, Suite 100, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 to receive a TOT certificate number. Step 4: with the approved TVR permit and TOT number, file the annual Vacation Rental License online including ownership documentation (deed, title report, or trust certification) and the TOT certificate details. Step 5: license expires 365 days from approval and must be renewed annually via the online portal. All advertising must conform to the approved occupancy; under Sec. 26-88-120 advertising a property inconsistent with its approvals is itself a violation.
Operating without a complete set of approvals — zoning permit, license, TOT certificate, and certified manager — is a Code violation. Each missing element is independently citable. The zoning permit expires automatically on sale or transfer (Sec. 26-88-120), so new owners must reapply. License non-renewal voids the right to operate even if the zoning permit is still valid.
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