Sonoma, California Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave

Last updated August 23, 2023

Sonoma Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

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  • Short Term City Rating
    6.4
  • Competition

    8.2
  • Real Estate Cost

    3.3
  • STR Regulations

    N/A
  • Seasonality

    4.3
  • Rental Rates

    9.8

Sonoma, California Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
11,024
STR License Required
No
Tourist Season
County
Sonoma
Airports
Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport (STS)
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Review our Sonoma California short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Sonoma?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our Sonoma rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Sonoma rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Sonoma.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Sonoma Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Sonoma guests.

Interested in other California cities?

Check out the California Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Sonoma a great place to invest?

  1. Sonoma, California is a paradise for food and wine lovers, offering a rich tapestry of flavors, aromas, and colors that capture the essence of this charming town. From world-class wineries and vineyards to farm-to-table restaurants and street-side cafes, Sonoma is a culinary destination that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more.
  2. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Sonoma Valley, this historic town is home to a variety of historic landmarks and cultural attractions, including the Mission San Francisco Solano, the oldest of the 21 missions in California, and the Sonoma Plaza, the town's central square that dates back to the Mexican period.
  3. If you're an outdoors enthusiast, Sonoma is a dream come true. The town is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, including rolling hills, pristine vineyards, and endless stretches of forest and meadows. Take a hike, go on a scenic drive, or simply enjoy a leisurely picnic in one of the many beautiful parks and open spaces that dot the landscape.
  4. And for those seeking adventure, Sonoma is just a short drive from a variety of exciting attractions, including amusement parks, zipline courses, and water sports, such as kayaking and rafting on the nearby Russian River.
  5. With a vibrant arts and cultural scene, Sonoma is also a great place to enjoy a variety of live performances, art exhibitions, and cultural events, including the annual Sonoma International Film Festival, the Sonoma Jazz Festival, and the Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction.

Sonoma Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Sonoma?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Sonoma has decreased -23% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $666, which is higher than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$937,197

-23% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$666

-2% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$3,097

1% YoY

Local Short-Term Rental News for Sonoma

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Sonoma, California

Word Cloud for Sonoma, California Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Sonoma short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in Sonoma has a description approximately 2,101 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 622 listings in Sonoma, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Pool, Sonoma, Outdoor, Wine country, Vineyard, Cottage, Beautiful, Wineries, Family, and Quiet.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Sonoma?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Sonoma involve Winery Tours, Hiking, the Health Spa, Cycling, and Antiquing. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Winery Tours

Hiking

Health Spa

Cycling

Antiquing

Adventure Activities

Museums

Mountain Biking

Horseback Riding

Wildlife Viewing

Swimming

Rural

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Sonoma, including Napa Valley Wine Train, Sonoma Plaza, Sonoma Raceway, Oxbow Public Market, and Downtown Napa Association. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Regional Landmark

Mission San Francisco Solano

Included on 56% of listings

Local Landmark

Sonoma City Hall

Included on 56% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Sonoma Raceway

Included on 54% of listings

Regional Landmark

Domaine Carneros

Included on 53% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Napa Valley Wine Train

Included on 51% of listings

Regional Landmark

Oxbow Public Market

Included on 51% of listings

Regional Landmark

Buena Vista Winery

Included on 51% of listings

Regional Landmark

Gundlach-Bundschu Winery

Included on 49% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Sonoma Plaza

Included on 48% of listings

Regional Landmark

Downtown Napa Association

Included on 48% of listings

Regional Landmark

Sonoma Golf Club

Included on 48% of listings

Regional Landmark

Sonoma TrainTown Railroad

Included on 44% of listings

What’s the weather like in Sonoma, California?

The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 71°, while the average low is about 46°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 24 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Sonoma are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

40° Low 58° High

Precipitation
13.9"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
55%

Spring

March through May

45° Low 70° High

Precipitation
5.4"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
42%

Summer

June through August

53° Low 82° High

Precipitation
0.2"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
13%

Fall

September through November

48° Low 74° High

Precipitation
4.3"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
30%