Overview: Are STRs Allowed in Petaluma?

Yes—short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Petaluma, but only as a permitted use in residential, planned unit development (PUD), and mixed-use zoning districts, and only with a valid Short-Term Vacation Rental (STR) Permit issued by the Planning Director or designee. The City also requires a Business License and compliance with Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). Non-hosted STRs are capped at 90 days of operation per calendar year.

Key constraints to note:

• Hosted STRs may furnish up to two bedrooms; the entire dwelling cannot be rented unless it is an accessory/secondary unit.
• Non-hosted STRs may rent the entire dwelling, but only to one party per stay, and for no more than 90 days per year.
• Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) permitted after Sept. 7, 2017, cannot be operated as STRs.
• A manager must be available at all times and able to respond within one hour (Hosted: on-site; Non-hosted: within 45 miles).

How to Start an STR Business in Petaluma

Investors should treat STR setup as a multi-step regulatory and operational exercise:

1. Confirm zoning eligibility and zoning district compatibility.
2. Determine hosting model: hosted (owner present) vs. non-hosted (owner absent).
3. Prepare application package (forms, fees, parking documentation, safety compliance).
4. Submit Short-Term Vacation Rental Permit application to the Planning Director.
5. Obtain a Business License under Municipal Code Chapter 6.01.
6. Register and comply with Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT).
7. Notify neighbors within 100 feet upon permit approval.
8. Operationalize compliance: prepare a guest manual, assign a manager, meet safety standards, and manage advertising (permit number required in all ads).
9. Renew the permit annually (expires Dec. 31 of each year).

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City-level requirements:

• Short-Term Vacation Rental Permit (Planning Director or designee approval).
• Business License (Petaluma Municipal Code Chapter 6.01).
• Transient Occupancy Tax registration and remittance.
• Guest manual containing:
  • Local manager’s contact information.
  • Performance Standards from Chapter 21 of the Implementing Zoning Ordinance.
  • Parking limitations and other neighborhood-friendly guidance.

Operational compliance:

• No on-site signage.
• Safety: smoke detectors, CO2 detectors, adequate heating, and compliance with the California Building Standards Code as adopted by the City.
• Parking: demonstrate compliance with Table 11.1 (Dwelling, Single Family or Multiple Household, as applicable) or obtain a Minor Conditional Use Permit for a Parking Exception.
• Advertising: City-issued permit number must be included in every advertisement; advertising without a valid permit is a violation.

Permit term and renewal:

• Permits are valid through Dec. 31 of the year issued and expire annually.
• Renewals do not require neighbor notice.
• Denials may occur for failure to remit TOT, verified violations, false application information, or health/safety non-compliance in the prior 12 months.
• Revocation is possible after three or more verified violations; reapplication is barred for one year.

Detailed Regulations: City, County, and State

City of Petaluma (Zoning Code §7.110)

• Allowed in residential, PUD, and mixed-use zoning districts only with a valid STR permit.
• Neighbor notice: written notice to all property owners within 100 feet of the STR, including the STR address, number of rooms available, and manager contact info.
• Hosted STR requirements:
  • Maximum overnight occupants: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional occupants.
  • Maximum two bedrooms may be furnished for compensation; exceptions exist if the entire dwelling is an accessory/secondary unit and is rented to one party.
  • Manager must be available and able to respond within one hour.
• Non-hosted STR requirements:
  • Entire dwelling may be rented to one party (single rental agreement for the dwelling).
  • Occupancy limit: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional occupants.
  • Operation limited to 90 days per calendar year.
  • Manager must be located within 45 miles and be available at all times, with response within one hour.
• ADUs: ADUs permitted after Sept. 7, 2017, are not permitted as STRs.
• PUDs: STRs are permitted unless the PUD explicitly prohibits them; compliance with CC&Rs/covenants is the permittee’s responsibility.
• Dispute resolution: City may refer parties to mediation after three or more complaints in a calendar year (cost shared equally).
• Application process:
  • Application on City form to the Planning Director; fee set by City Council resolution.
  • Parking documentation per Table 11.1; Minor Conditional Use Permit available for Parking Exceptions when site constraints exist.
  • Safety compliance with California Building Standards Code.
• Appeals: Decisions of the Planning Director may be appealed under Municipal Code §24.090.
• Enforcement: Violations may be enforced under Municipal Code Chapter 26 and Title 1.

Sonoma County (unincorporated areas; Permit Sonoma guidance)

• Vacation rental definition: rental of a whole private residence for 30 days or less (distinct from hosted rentals and Bed & Breakfast Inns).
• Permits and licensing requirements:
  • Vacation Rental Permit (zoning permit).
  • Certified Vacation Property Manager certification.
  • Transient Occupancy Tax number.
  • Vacation Rental License.
• Allowed locations (with permit) in unincorporated Sonoma County include:
  • Certain Agricultural Residential (AR), Rural Residential (RR), and Planned Community Rural Residential (PCRR) zoning districts.
  • Existing single-family residences in C2, LC, and K zoning districts.
  • Certain Agricultural and Resource zones (LEA, DA, RRD).
  • Coastal Zone (allowed without County permit; governed by Local Coastal Plan).
• Not allowed:
  • Low-Density Residential (R1) and higher-density residential districts (R2, R3).
  • Lands within Agricultural Preserves subject to a Williamson Act contract.
  • Land Intensive Agriculture (LIA).
  • Accessory Dwelling Units.
  • Non-habitable structures and temporary structures.
  • Exclusion (X) Combining Districts and areas of over-concentration in Cap Zone Combining Districts.
• Application and management:
  • Apply via Permit Sonoma; four-step process (property manager certification, TOT number, permit, license).
  • Performance Standards ensure compatibility with surrounding uses.
• Contact and services: PRMD-VacationRentals@sonomacounty.gov; (707) 565-1932; Permit Center at 2550 Ventura Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.

State of California

• STRs must comply with the California Building Standards Code (e.g., working smoke and CO detectors, adequate heating).
• Municipalities may impose stricter local rules; Petaluma’s City Code is stricter (e.g., day limits, occupancy limits, ADU restrictions).

Contact Information for Local Authority

City of Petaluma

• Planning Department / Planning Director
  • Website: City of Petaluma – Zoning Ordinance §7.110 (Short-Term Vacation Rentals)
  • Phone: Use City’s general line; specific STR phone not provided in source documents.
  • Business Licensing: Chapter 6.01 (Business Tax)
• Short-Term Vacation Rental Permit and Business License processes are administered through the Planning and Business Licensing functions of the City.

County of Sonoma (Permit Sonoma; for unincorporated STRs)

• Email: PRMD-VacationRentals@sonomacounty.gov
• Phone: (707) 565-1932
• Vacation Rental Phone Hours:
  • Monday: 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
  • Tuesday–Wednesday: 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
  • Thursday–Friday: 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
• Permit Center & Mailing Address: 2550 Ventura Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
• Maps and Parcel Tools: Official Zoning Database and Vacation Rental Map Viewer

Links to Source Pages

• City of Petaluma – Zoning Code §7.110 (Short-Term Vacation Rentals): petaluma.municipal.codes/ZoningOrds/7.110
• Permit Sonoma – Vacation Rentals (Permits, Licensing, FAQs): permitsonoma.org/vacationrentals
• Modern Living Sonoma – Sonoma County STR Rules (contextual blog; third-party summary): www.modernlivingsonoma.com/2021/08/04/a-7-step-guide-to-the-short-term-rental-rules-in-sonoma-county/

Notes for Investors

• Because non-hosted STRs in Petaluma are limited to 90 days per calendar year, revenue planning must reflect this cap and seasonal demand patterns.
• Hosted STRs may offer a more flexible operating model (no day cap), but are constrained to two bedrooms unless the entire dwelling is an accessory/secondary unit.
• Parking can be a gating factor; prepare documentation early or pursue a Parking Exception via a Minor Conditional Use Permit.
• Ensure advertising always includes the permit number; violations are enforced, including possible permit revocation.
• If purchasing in unincorporated Sonoma County, verify parcel zoning, exclusion (X) zones, and cap zones before committing to a purchase.