Bodega Bay, California

Short-term rentals are permitted in Bodega Bay, but a permit is required and enforcement is rated strict. The community is in unincorporated Sonoma County within the Coastal Zone, which gives it a different posture from inland Sonoma County. Operators need a Transient Vacation Rental Zoning Permit plus an Annual Vacation Rental License under Ordinance No. 6427, adopted May 16, 2023. Coastal Zone properties that legally operated with documented occupancy tax payments between October 26, 2018 and October 26, 2023 are exempt from the Zoning Permit but still need the Annual License. The operator or designated manager must hold the Sonoma County Certified Vacation Rental Property Manager credential, and a manager must be reachable 24/7 with a 30-minute response at night and one hour during the day. The license cost is $765 and renews annually. The occupancy tax is 12% of gross rent for stays under 30 days. No annual night cap applies, and neither owner occupancy nor primary residence is required. Guest occupancy is limited to 2 per bedroom plus 2, with a maximum of 12 guests, excluding children under 3. Permits are allowed on detached residential parcels in the Coastal Zone regardless of underlying zoning, but are prohibited on Williamson Act lands, ADUs, and certain inland districts. Corporate entities cannot hold licenses, and each natural person or trust is limited to one permit. Inland cap zones set at 5% of housing stock were all at capacity as of early 2024. The coastal compliance deadline was April 11, 2025. Confirm current rules with Sonoma County before buying.