Sonoma Short-Term Rental Regulations
| Permit | ✓ Required — Business License / Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate (No longer issued) |
| Primary Residence | Not required |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit |
| Tax Rate | 15% |
| Max Penalty | No fixed maximum fine is published; violations are handled through the City's administrative citation and hearing process |
| Insurance | Not required |
New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →
Permit & Licensing
Business License / Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | No longer issued |
| Renewal | Not applicable — no new vacation rental permits are issued; only pre-2017 licensed rentals may continue |
This permit type does not require primary residence. Zoning restriction: New vacation rentals prohibited except adaptive reuse of historic structures.
Application Process
New vacation rental applications not accepted except for adaptive reuse of historic structures; existing licensed rentals continue under operating standards
Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) | 13% | City of Sonoma |
| Tourism Improvement District (TID) assessment | 2% | City of Sonoma |
Combined rate: 15% of gross rental income.
Collection: Self-remitted by lodging operator via the City's online portal (sonoma.hdlgov.com)
Rental Limits
Sonoma does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.
Occupancy & Density Limits
Maximum 2 persons per sleeping room or guestroom, plus 2 additional persons per unit
Zoning & Restrictions
New vacation rentals prohibited since Dec 4, 2017, except adaptive reuse of historic structures; existing licensed rentals may continue
Insurance & Safety
Insurance
Sonoma does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Administrative Notice & Order, then Administrative Hearing; decisions appealable to Superior Court within 45 days
Platform Requirements
Online advertisements/listings must include a Business License or Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate number
Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Sonoma:
- Apply for Business License / Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate. Submit application.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with City of Sonoma (Finance Department).
- Collect and remit taxes. 15% on all bookings.
- Renew annually. Contact city for renewal fee details.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Sonoma?
- Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Sonoma requires a Business License / Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate.
- Does Sonoma require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
- No. Sonoma allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.
- How many days a year can you short-term rent in Sonoma?
- Sonoma does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.
- What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Sonoma?
- Short-term rental stays in Sonoma are subject to a combined 15% in lodging taxes. This combines 13% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) + 2% Tourism Improvement District (TID) assessment. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.
- What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Sonoma?
- Administrative Notice & Order, then Administrative Hearing; decisions appealable to Superior Court within 45 days.
Tools for Short-Term Rental Hosts
AdServices that help hosts handle the legal, management, pricing, and cleaning side of a short-term rental.