Are short-term rentals allowed in Sonoma, CA?

**No**, short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in all residential zones within the City of Sonoma. The city only allows rentals for periods of 30 days or longer, and previous permits are non-transferrable. Renting for less than 31 days can result in fines.

What is the TOT tax rate in Sonoma, CA?

**The TOT rate is 12%** for rentals of 31 days or more in the City of Sonoma. This tax applies to all transient occupancies and must be collected from guests and remitted to the city. Consult the city's finance department for specific filing instructions.

Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Sonoma, CA?

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Sonoma, though standard state and county regulations may still apply. Note that short-term rentals (under 31 days) are generally prohibited. Always verify zoning regulations with the city before operating any rental.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Sonoma, CA?

**You could face fines** of $500 per day for operating an illegal short-term rental in Sonoma. The city strictly prohibits rentals for less than 31 days in residential zones. Prior to operating any rental, ensure full compliance with all local ordinances and zoning laws.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Sonoma, CA?

**No**, renters cannot legally host on Airbnb in Sonoma, as short-term rentals are prohibited in residential zones. Only property owners who legally established and permitted rentals before the current restrictions may operate, but these permits are not transferable to tenants. Ensure compliance with city regulations.

Sonoma, CA Short-Term Rental Laws &...

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Verified: Jan 30, 2026

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Summary

Short-term rentals (stays of 30 days or less) are PROHIBITED in all residential zones within the City of Sonoma. The city only allows such rentals if they were legally established and permitted prior to the current restrictions, and no new permits are being issued.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Residential STRs prohibited
•Banned in all/most residential zones
•All residential property types prohibited
•Severe night cap: 0 nights/year
•Long minimum stay: 31 nights
•Tenants cannot host
•Reporting required
•No STR-specific permit required
•No primary residence requirement
•No STR-specific fee

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in the City of Sonoma, you must rent your property for at least 31 consecutive days. Short-term vacation rentals (under 31 days) are banned in all residential neighborhoods within city limits. While you may see some existing rentals, these are 'grandfathered' units with old permits that cannot be transferred to new owners. If you are caught renting for less than 31 days, you face fines of $500 per day.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.CITY VS COUNTY: The City of Sonoma (city limits) bans STRs, but Sonoma County (unincorporated areas) allows them with a permit. Verify your parcel before hosting.
2.31-DAY MINIMUM: Any rental under 31 days is considered an illegal vacation rental in the city.
3.NO NEW PERMITS: The city is not accepting any new applications for vacation rental permits.
4.NON-TRANSFERABLE: If you buy a house that currently has a vacation rental permit, that permit expires upon sale.
5.ACTIVE ENFORCEMENT: The city uses monitoring software to find and fine illegal short-term listings.
6.ADU BAN: Accessory Dwelling Units (granny flats) can never be used as short-term rentals, even for stays over 30 days in some cases.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

•Sonoma allows STRs in the following property types: Historic structures (via adaptive reuse).
•Sonoma limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
•Sonoma does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
•Sonoma: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements(15)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Sonoma: 1. NEW vacation rentals are strictly PROHIBITED within the City of Sonoma limits (2017 ban). 2. Do not confuse 'City of Sonoma' rules with 'Sonoma County' rules; county rules apply only to unincorporated areas. 3. The total lodging tax is 15% (13% TOT + 2% STID). 4. Outdoor amplified sound is banned at all times for vacation rentals. 5. Listings must display the Business License or TOT Certificate number. 6. Grandfathered status is lost if the business license is not renewed or if the property is sold. 7. City limits of Sonoma, Windsor, Healdsburg, and Santa Rosa all have very restrictive STR rules compared to the county.

Application Process(7)

•Sonoma extended permit requirement: Inspection fee may be established by Council

Taxes(3)

•Sonoma: Listings must display the Business License or TOT Certificate number.
•Sonoma: The total lodging tax is 15% (13% TOT + 2% STID).
•Sonoma charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 13%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and Vrbo remit the 13% TOT; 2% STID may require manual remittance

Limits & Restrictions(6)

•Sonoma enforces quiet hours: No outdoor amplified sound at any time.
•Sonoma limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
•Sonoma limits STRs to a maximum of 12 guests. Formula: 2 per sleeping room plus 2 additional guests
•Sonoma: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Sonoma requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Noise limits must be posted, Property manager contact info must be provided to city.

Penalties(2)

•Sonoma: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Sonoma enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Citation and fines. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Permit revocation for grandfathered units. Daily fine: Varies by violation type. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(2)

•Sonoma: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Sonoma exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

California

Strict

The City of Los Angeles requires all short-term rental hosts to register for a Home-Sharing permit and only permits the rental of one's primary residence. Stays are capped at 120 days per year unless an Extended Home-Sharing permit is obtained, and rentals in RSO-regulated buildings or newer ADUs are strictly prohibited.

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Anaheim

California

Prohibited

Short-term rentals in Anaheim are strictly limited to approximately 277 'pre-moratorium' operators who were grandfathered in 2019. The city currently prohibits the issuance of any new STR permits. Allowed operators must follow rigid 'Good Neighbor' policies, enforce a 3-night minimum stay, and pay a 15% Transient Occupancy Tax.

Permit required

15.0% total tax

Mammoth Lakes

California

Moderate

Short-term rentals are heavily regulated in Mammoth Lakes and generally restricted to multi-family and resort zones (RMF-2, Resort, etc.). Hosts must obtain an STR Certificate and a Business Tax Certificate, and pay a total TOT rate of 13%. Stays of 31 days or longer are exempt from these regulations.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Big Bear Lake

California

Strict

The City of Big Bear Lake regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 5.44, requiring an annual license, rigorous safety inspections, and a strict guest limit of 2 per bedroom plus 2. Owners are limited to 2 licenses total and must remit a 9% combined TOT and TBID tax quarterly.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Sonoma

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

Requirements(15)

Application Process(7)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(6)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other California Markets

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Anaheim

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Sonoma

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Are short-term rentals allowed in Sonoma, CA?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Sonoma, CA?

3Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Sonoma, CA?

4What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Sonoma, CA?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Sonoma, CA?

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake