Overview: STR Status in Forestville

Short-term rentals ARE allowed in Forestville, CA, but with significant restrictions and caps. Forestville falls under Sonoma County jurisdiction, and while vacation rentals can operate in this market, they face density caps of 5% in certain areas and exclusion from others. The town is adjacent to areas that have become more restrictive due to over-concentration of vacation rentals, making it a potentially viable market for new investors who can identify compliant properties.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Forestville

Step 1: Property Eligibility Verification

Before purchasing or converting a property, verify its eligibility through multiple checks:

1. Use the County's Official Zoning Database: Consult Permit Sonoma's Official Zoning Database to determine your property's zoning classification
2. Check the Vacation Rental Map Viewer: Use Sonoma County's interactive map to see if your parcel is in an allowed area and understand existing vacation rental density
3. Fire Perimeter Check: Ensure your property is not within a fire perimeter that prohibits vacation rentals

Step 2: Complete the Four-Step Licensing Process

Success requires completing these sequential steps:

1. Become a Certified Vacation Rental Property Manager
2. Obtain Transient Vacation Rental Permit (Zoning Permit)
3. Obtain Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Number
4. Obtain Vacation Rental License

Step 3: Submit Application Through Online Portal

All applications must be submitted through the electronic portal with required documentation.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Essential Documentation Package

Submit all of the following through the online portal:

• Planning Application Form
• Indemnification Agreement
• Vacation Rental Application
• Property Report Checklist
• Detailed Site Plan
• Comprehensive Floor Plan
• Proof of Septic Capacity
• Property Manager Certification

Core Requirements

Your property must have all of the following to legally operate:

1. Vacation Rental Permit (Zoning authorization)
2. Certified Vacation Property Manager (certification process)
3. Vacation Rental License (operational authorization)
4. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Number
5. Compliance with Performance Standards (residential compatibility)

Business License Specific Requirements

The new business license mandates additional compliance measures:

• Ownership Structure: License limited to one per person; must be natural person or family trust (no LLC or corporate ownership)
• Property Management: Certified property manager required, available 24/7 with response times (30 minutes evening/1 hour daytime)
• Communication: Operational landline or broadband-connected VoIP phone required
• Emergency Preparedness: Written evacuation plan required; guests must vacate during voluntary orders
• Neighbor Relations: Written notice to neighbors required upon annual license renewal

Specific Regulations for Forestville and Sonoma County

Zoning Restrictions

Allowed Zoning Districts in Forestville:

• Agriculture Residential (AR) zones
• Rural Residential (RR) zones
• Planned Community Rural Residential (PCRR) zones
• Existing single-family residences in C2, LC, and K zoning districts
• Certain Agricultural and Resource zones (LEA, DA, RRD)
• Vacation Rental Cap Zone Combining Districts (below designated caps)

Prohibited Areas:

• Low-Density Residential (R1) zones
• Higher-density residential districts (R2, R3)
• Lands within Agricultural Preserves under Williamson Act Contracts
• Land Intensive Agriculture (LIA) properties
• Accessory Dwelling Units (including Junior ADUs under 500 sq ft)
• Non-habitable structures and temporary structures

Forestville-Specific Cap Areas

Forestville contains several areas with density caps that affect new vacation rental permits:

5% Cap Areas:

• Rio Dell: Limited evacuation routes, flooding/landslide prone, 4.4% current concentration
• Summerhome Park: Similar environmental hazards, 7.6% current concentration
• Hacienda: 8.3% current vacation rental concentration

Operational Standards

Occupancy Limits:

• Maximum 12 guests regardless of home size
• Determined by bedroom count or septic capacity
• Rent to only one tenant at a time

Parking Requirements:

• On-street parking permitted but limited to single space
• Must meet county parking area standards

Noise Regulations:

• Daytime (7am-9pm): Specific decibel limits apply
• Nighttime (9pm-7am): More restrictive noise limits
• Outdoor amplified sound prohibited

Safety and Environmental:

• Defensible space maintenance required per county fire codes
• Outdoor burning of solid fuels prohibited
• Fireworks possession/discharge prohibited
• Lighting plan required (max 1000 lumens per fixture, motion-sensor requirements)

TOT and Tax Obligations

• Transient Occupancy Tax registration mandatory
• County TOT collection and remittance required
• Must ensure platforms like Airbnb collect and remit correct taxes

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contact: Permit Sonoma

• Phone: (707) 565-1932
• CA Relay Service: 711
• Email: PRMD-VacationRentals@sonomacounty.gov

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 Address: 2550 Ventura Avenue Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Key Media Contacts:

• Bradley Dunn, Policy Manager: Bradley.Dunn@sonomacounty.gov, (707) 321-0502
• Stuart Tiffen, Communications: stuart.tiffen@sonomacounty.gov, (707) 565-1860

Links to Source Pages

Official County Resources

• Permit Sonoma Vacation Rentals Page
• Vacation Rental Permit and License Application
• Vacation Rental Regulations
• Hosted Rental Permit Information
• Official Zoning Database
• Vacation Rental Map Viewer

Property Manager Resources

• Certified Vacation Property Manager Information
• Property Manager Certification Test
• Property Manager Notification

Application and Compliance

• Electronic Transient Rental Applications Portal
• Vacation Rental Complaints
• Exclusion Combining District Information

FAQs and Support

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Submit Questions to County
• Email Updates Signup

Legal Framework

• Sonoma County Code of Ordinances - Vacation Rental License
• Performance Standards
• Bed and Breakfast and Hosted Rentals Code

Recent Regulatory Updates

• Board of Supervisors Press Release on New Regulations
• Modern Living Sonoma Analysis of New Ordinance

Important Investment Considerations: Forestville represents a constrained but viable market within Sonoma County's vacation rental landscape. Properties must navigate both zoning restrictions and density caps, making pre-purchase due diligence critical. The market benefits from proximity to restricted areas while maintaining access to the Russian River tourism corridor. Investors should budget additional time and costs for the comprehensive permitting process and ongoing compliance requirements, including the new business license and performance standards that significantly exceed previous regulations.