Repeat vacation rental violations in unincorporated Sonoma County trigger an escalating enforcement ladder, from a warning letter to suspensions of one to six months and license revocation for up to five years for chronic non-compliance.
Permit Sonoma Policy 7-0-26 implements the vacation rental license ordinance (Chapter 4, Article VIII, Secs. 4-208 and 4-209) and zoning Sec. 26-28-160. A first verified violation draws a warning letter; a second within 12 months brings suspension of up to one month; a third within 12 months brings extended suspension of up to six months; chronic non-compliance results in revocation for up to five years or until the property transfers. Violations endangering guests or the public allow immediate revocation without prior warning. This ladder replaced the former Three Strikes Penalty of Sec. 26-88-120(g)(2), which summarily revoked permits after three violations within two years.
Civil penalties reach $1,500 for a first violation, $3,000 for a second, and $5,000 for a third within one year; unpermitted operation can cost three to ten times the application fee.
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