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Vacation Rental License Deadline for Sonoma County

Vacation rental owners in non-coastal unincorporated areas of Sonoma County are facing a crucial deadline of June 15 to apply for a license through the county’s permitting department. This deadline is a result of the approval of a business license program by the Board of Supervisors last year. The program not only establishes standards for vacation rentals but also outlines penalties for violations and restricts where rentals can be located.

It is important to note that the program requires individual owners to apply for the license, excluding Limited Liability Companies.

AI legalese decoder can help owners navigate through the complex regulations and requirements of the licensing process, ensuring that their applications are accurate and complete.

Increasing Application Numbers

The county has received 500 applications so far, but officials estimate that there are approximately 2,000 vacation rentals that require licenses under the new program.

As the deadline approaches, more applications are expected to flood in. To expedite the process, the county’s permitting department is urging all owners to apply as soon as possible to guarantee timely processing before June 15. The basic licensing fee is $765, with additional charges that could raise the total cost to over $1,200.

Extended Deadline for Coastal Zone Owners

Owners in the coastal zone have until April 11, 2025, to apply for a license, as per the regulations approved by the Board of Supervisors in September 2023.

The Coastal Commission certified these regulations on April 11, 2024, allowing vacation rental operators near the coast more time to comply with the licensing requirements.

Program Standards and Penalties

The program has set specific standards and penalties for vacation rentals, including maintaining quiet hours from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., limiting outdoor noise, and adhering to lighting and wildfire safety requirements.

Owners should be aware that the Board of Supervisors approved penalties in April, ranging from three to 10 times the cost of application fees for violations. Unlicensed vacation rentals could face penalties ranging from $1,787 to $5,956, while operations without a zoning permit or license could be fined $4,245 to $14,150.

Complaint Hotline and Resources

Sonoma County has launched a complaint hotline for residents and neighbors to report any violations by vacation rentals.

If you have any concerns about a nearby vacation rental, you can first try contacting the property manager through the county’s permit database online. If there is no response within the specified time frame, neighbors are encouraged to call the hotline at 707-875-6619 to file a complaint.

Utilizing AI legalese decoder can help vacation rental owners understand the regulations outlined in the program, ensuring compliance and avoiding potential penalties.

For more information, contact Staff Writer Emma Murphy at 707-521-5228 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @MurphReports.

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