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Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Sebastopol, CA

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Report an update

Zoning & Conditions

Occupancy is limited to 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests (max 10). Stays are capped at 30 days with a 7-day gap between bookings. Hosted rentals require the owner to be present overnight; non-hosted rentals require a 24/7 local contact. Parking requires one on-site space per guest bedroom for non-hosted units.

How to Obtain a Permit

1) Submit a Master Planning Application and the Vacation Rental Checklist to the Planning Department. 2) Pay the required fees (approx. $480 for Administrative Permits; $3,000 deposit for Conditional Use Permits). 3) Complete the city review and neighbor notification process (300-foot radius).

Official Resources

Official Sebastopol STR regulation source

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Airbnbs legal in Sebastopol, CA?
Airbnb listings are allowed in Sebastopol, CA, but with restrictions. Occupancy is limited to 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests (max 10). Stays are capped at 30 days with a 7-day gap between bookings. Hosted rentals require the owner to be present overnight; non-hosted rentals require a 24/7 local contact. Parking requires one on-site space per guest bedroom for non-hosted units. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.
Are short-term rentals allowed in Sebastopol, CA?
Occupancy is limited to 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests (max 10). Stays are capped at 30 days with a 7-day gap between bookings. Hosted rentals require the owner to be present overnight; non-hosted rentals require a 24/7 local contact. Parking requires one on-site space per guest bedroom for non-hosted units.
Is a permit required to operate a short-term rental in Sebastopol?
Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Sebastopol. 1) Submit a Master Planning Application and the Vacation Rental Checklist to the Planning Department. 2) Pay the required fees (approx. $480 for Administrative Permits; $3,000 deposit for Conditional Use Permits). 3) Complete the city review and neighbor notification process (300-foot radius).
How do I get a short-term rental permit in Sebastopol?
1) Submit a Master Planning Application and the Vacation Rental Checklist to the Planning Department. 2) Pay the required fees (approx. $480 for Administrative Permits; $3,000 deposit for Conditional Use Permits). 3) Complete the city review and neighbor notification process (300-foot radius).
Is Vrbo legal in Sebastopol, CA?
Vrbo is permitted in Sebastopol, CA under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.
What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Sebastopol?
Short-term rental hosts in Sebastopol are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.
What is the latest short-term rental ordinance change in Sebastopol?
We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Sebastopol. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.
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Disclaimer

This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. STR regulations change frequently. Always verify requirements with official local government sources before operating a short-term rental.

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Suggest a correction