Sonoma County Vacation Rental (VR) Rules inland (do not now apply to the coastal zone) next go into the “Permit Requirements”. This is the 3rd of six blog posts and summarizes what the VR ordinance says. These VR Rules will be supplanted by a NEW VR ORDINANCE approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2022.
———HISTORY OF VR REGULATION IN SONOMA COUNTY—–
Sec.26-88-120. – Vacation Rentals
(e) Permit Requirements
- Maximum Number of Guestrooms. VRs may have a maximum of five (5) guest rooms or sleeping rooms. VRs with more than 5 guest rooms may only be allowed if adequate sewage disposal capacity exists…
- Maximum Overnight Occupancy. Maximum overnight occupancy for VRs shall be up to a maximum of two (2) persons per sleeping room or guestroom, plus two (2) additional persons per property up to a maximum of twelve (12) persons, excluding children under three years of age. Vacation rentals with larger overnight occupancies may only be allowed subject to the granting of a use permit. (See ordinance text for homes with a non-standard septic system – there are different rules).
- Maximum Number of Guests and Daytime Visitors. The maximum number of total guests and visitors allowed at any time in a single VR shall not exceed the maximum overnight occupancy plus six (6) additional persons per property during the daytime, or eighteen (18) persons, whichever is less, excluding children under 3 years of age. Daytime visitors shall not be on the property during quiet hours. Vacation rentals with larger numbers of guests and visitors may only be allowed subject to the granting of a use permit. (the ordinance text then lists the holidays when the guest limits may be exceeded: Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, so long as the holiday event does not otherwise trigger the requirement for a special or cultural events permit.)
- Limit on Number of Residences or Structures per Parcel. Only a single family residence, and a legally established guest house meeting current standards shall be used as a VR. Only one tenant shall be allowed on-site at a any given time:
- Parking. Parking shall be provided as follows: a minimum of one on-site parking space for a VR with up to two guest/sleeping rooms; two on-site parking spaces for a 3 or 4 guestroom VR. Larger VRs must demonstrate adequate parking with a minimum of 3 spaces. ON-STREET PARKING may be considered for up to one of the required parking spaces; otherwise, the number of vehicles allowed for overnight guests shall be limited to the off-street parking available, as demonstrated by the application materials and the property checklist, but shall not exceed one vehicle per bedroom. the maximum number of vehicles permitted for guests shall be clearly set forth in all rental agreements and in all online advertisements and listings.
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Note the maximum amount of guestrooms and guests. The total amount allowed depend on the number of guestrooms you have at the short-term VR family home.
There is a maximum of daytime visitors PLUS overnight guests allowed – depending on the number of guestrooms you have.
Daytime visitors are not allowed during Quiet Hours (10pm to 7am).
There is some flexibility on the number of guests during certain holidays.
Parking rules distinguish between on-site parking for overnight guests and on-street parking. Larger VRs must have a minimum of 3 on-site parking spaces; note the rules for ON-STREET parking. It appears you can’t have more cars than the number of rooms you have and that a limited number of cars can be on the street. This will require oversight by owners or their managers as well as notice to renters.
NEXT Blog: Performance Standards