Sonoma County · checked 2026-09-13
Can you BnB it in Santa Rosa?
AllowedSanta Rosa allows hosted short-term rentals with a permit in every zoning district when the parcel is the owner's principal residence. Non-hosted rentals are capped at 182 permits citywide, closed to new applications, void on sale, and subject to a 1,000 foot separation.
The rules, with their sources
Permit or licenseA permit or license is required before operating.L120-48.040 · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Hosted onlyThe code does not limit rentals to hosted stays.L1City Code Ch. 20-48 (sections 20-48.010 through 20-48.080); last amended by Ord. 2023-011, 2023-07-25 · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Primary residenceThe rental must be the operator's primary residence.L1City Code Ch. 20-48 (sections 20-48.010 through 20-48.080); last amended by Ord. 2023-011, 2023-07-25 · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Permit capPermits are capped at 182.L120-48.040(B)(2)(a) · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Caps and limitsNon-hosted permits capped at 182 citywide, closed to new applications, declining through attrition (20-48.040(B)(2)(a)). Hosted permits uncapped and allowed in all districts. Non-hosted allowed only in listed districts (CMU, SMU, MMU, NMU, RR, R-1, PD, R-2, R-3, TV-R, CO, CN, CSC, CG, TVM) and subject to 1,000 ft separation. Hosted permits require the parcel to be the owner's principal residence.L120-48.040(B)(2)(a) · code text · checked 2026-09-13
SpacingA separation of 1000 feet applies between rentals.L120-48.040(B)(2)(b) · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Transfer when the home sellsPermit is non-transferable; if a property with an approved STR permit is sold or transferred to any other person the permit is void (20-48.040(G)). Single exception: if the permit owner is incapacitated, deceased, or otherwise unable to carry out the permit terms, the permit may be transferred to a spouse or domestic partner (20-48.040(G)(1)). No trust, heir, or entity exceptions.L120-48.040(G) · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Read the code text →
In the city's own words
20-48.040“A Short-Term Rental Permit issued by the Director is required prior to renting, offering, or advertising a Short-Term Rental within the City.” source
20-48.040(B)(2)(a)“The maximum number of Short-Term Rental Permits issued for Non-Hosted Short-Term Rentals shall be 182 citywide. No new Non-Hosted Short-Term Rental Permit applications shall be accepted.” source
20-48.040(B)(2)(b)“A new Non-Hosted Short-Term Rental may not be proposed within 1,000 feet of another existing or proposed Non-Hosted Short-Term Rental as measured from property line to property line.” source
20-48.040(G)“A Short-Term Rental Permit is non-transferrable, except as identified in subsection (G)(1) below. If a property with an approved Short-Term Rental Permit is sold or transferred to any other person, the Short-Term Rental Permit is void.” source
Citation: City Code Ch. 20-48 (sections 20-48.010 through 20-48.080); last amended by Ord. 2023-011, 2023-07-25
Check a specific address
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How this page was verified
Verified from the municipal code (level 1), checked on 2026-09-13 by the CanIBnB research desk. Research is AI assisted and human reviewed; the method, the level system, and the re-check schedule are on the How we verify page. If anything here is wrong, report it and it goes in the public corrections log.