The BoS considered the county’s Vacation Rental Ordinance on August 2, 2022.
After hearing public comment, the BoS passed a Resolution authorizing the submittal of amendments to the SoCo Local Coastal Program (LCP) pertaining to Vacation Rentals. The Resolution does the following:
- Adds the following program to the Development Element of the LCP: Establish performance standards for the use of existing residences for vacation rentals and hosted rentals. In developing standards consider: requirements for designated property managers, safety, parking, noise, and number of guest allowed for daytime and nighttime occupancy.
- Amends the implementation plan of the LCP as follows: a. Sonoma County Code Chapter 26C (Coastal Zoning Resource Districts) Section 26C-326.10 is added as set forth in Exhibit C, attached and incorporated by reference. b. Sonoma County Code Chapter 4 Section VIII (Vacation Rental License Ordinance) is added as set forth in Exhibit D, attached and incorporated by reference.
- Directs the Permit and Resource Management Department (PRMD) to transmit the Amendment, including all necessary supporting documentation, to the California Coastal Commission as an amendment to the certified Local Coastal Program for their review and certification in accordance with Public Resources Code Section 305143.
- Directs the PRMD to file a notice of exemption in accordance with CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines.
___________________END RESOLUTION_________________
We await the final proposals on this subject, especially as it applies on the Coastal Zone. Please note that some of the limits may not apply to existing VRs that have been operating. It remains to be seen what the final ordinance and requirement are after approval by the CA Coastal Commission in November, 2022.
In recent PRMD recommendations the county may amend the SoCo Code (Chapter 26) to:
- Prohibit Vacation Rentals in R1-zoned low-density neighborhoods (these are homes in areas like Old Town, Bodega Bay);
- Require a Vacation Rental license for operation
- Establish more restrictive parking & occupancy standards
- Daytime limits of 12 persons per home, regardless of the size of home (and no additional daytime visiting guests)
- Provide neighborhood notification whenever a VR License is renewed
- Night time noise standard starts at 9pm (rather than 10pm)
- COASTAL ZONE (CHAPTER 26C) AMENDMENTS:
- Add a VR Program to the Local Coastal Plan
- Require a VR license (see above)
- Establish standards for allowable structures, maximum occupancy, and parking requirements.
- Existing VRs operation on the coast with a TOT certificate be allowed to continue under current land use regulations until the property is sold; but will be required to obtain a VR license and comply with the operational standards associated with the License.
In addition – VR licenses will be limited to properties owned by natural persons or trusts (no corporations), and VR licenses will be limited to one per individual.
OTHER COUNTY LIMITS THAT NOT CURRENTLY APPLICABLE TO THE COAST:
- VRs may be limited to 5% or 10% in some areas with a high VR concentration (impacts the Russian River area)
- The county will allow processing of VR applications submitted prior to 5/10/2022.
- VR Performance Standards (more than occupancy & parking)
Amendments to the Coastal Zoning Ordinance and LCP will not go into effect until certified by the California Coastal Commission (estimated to be heard at their 11/15-17/2022 meeting).