Even grandfathered Sonoma vacation rentals must hold a current City business license (SMC § 19.50.110(A)(7)) and a Transient Occupancy Tax registration under SMC 3.16.060. Every online advertisement or listing must display the Business License or TOT Certificate number (SMC § 19.50.110(A)(6)).
SMC § 19.50.110(A)(7) requires a business license for the establishment and operation of any vacation rental. SMC § 19.50.110(A)(8) requires the owner or operator to complete a TOT registration form and pay transient occupancy tax under SMC Chapter 3.16. The City's TOT rate is 13% (raised from 10% to 12% by voter-approved Measure S effective Jan. 1, 2019, and to 13% effective Sept. 1, 2019) and a 2% Sonoma Tourism Improvement District assessment also applies, bringing the total collection rate to 15% of gross room receipts. Operators file and remit through the City's HdL portal at sonoma.hdlgov.com. Per SMC § 19.50.110(A)(6), Internet advertisements 'shall include reference to the maximum occupancy limits and shall list the Business License or Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate number of the establishment' — this is the City's primary enforcement hook because it allows code enforcement and the City Prosecutor to identify unlicensed listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and similar platforms.
Failure to register for TOT or to remit collected tax is enforced under SMC Ch. 3.16, which authorizes the City Tax Administrator to assess penalties (commonly 10% for late payment plus interest) and to take collection action including liens. Failure to display the license/TOT number in online listings is a violation of SMC § 19.50.110(A)(6) and triggers code enforcement abatement; the City Prosecutor handles repeat offenders. Operating without a business license is independently citable.
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