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Taxes›California›Sonoma County›Sebastopol

Sebastopol
short-term rental taxes.

Data date: Jun 2026

Start with the recorded local taxes and permit overview for Sebastopol, California. Check the current requirements for your exact address.

Rental conditions are recorded in Sebastopol
Hosted-only vacation rentals: owner must reside and sleep on-site during rentals.
Find published guidance for your Sebastopol address
Check published permit and tax guidance for Sebastopol.

What you need to do in Sebastopol

Checked against the source
  1. To do
    Meet the local rental conditions

    Hosted-only vacation rentals: owner must reside and sleep on-site during rentals.

  2. To do
    Get the Sebastopol short-term rental license or registration

    Hosted-only vacation rentals: owner must reside and sleep on-site during rentals; administrative or conditional use permit required; max 2 bedrooms rented; max 10 occupants; 7-day gap between stays (SMC 17.260.060)

  3. To do
    Who collects the 12% Sebastopol occupancy tax depends on the booking channel

    Airbnb: collects it for you; Vrbo: not confirmed; Booking.com: not confirmed; Direct: you collect and remit. Where a channel's answer is not confirmed, check its tax settings.

  4. To confirm
    Find out how often you file and when returns are due

    The record gives no filing schedule. Ask the tax office how often you file and when returns are due.

Verify each step with the authority before you file or apply. Source

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What to know.

Hosted-only vacation rentals: owner must reside and sleep on-site during rentals. The published guide for Sebastopol lists 12% local occupancy tax. A license or registration is required.

At a glance.

Local tax
12%
State tax
Local only
License
Required
Local filing
By booking channel

Other taxes or assessments may apply. Review tax context and confirm the full amount for your rental with the authority.

SourceSources & confidenceHow we researchReport a problem with this page

What the recorded taxes cover

Recorded assessment: 2%

Sonoma County Tourism BIA 2% applies to most lodging (countywide assessment) This charge has no separate STR applicability recorded and is shown outside the estimate.

Tax details

Exemptions, penalties, filing information, and effective dates from the linked sources.

Sebastopol: Recorded effective date

2019-04-01

Sebastopol: Recorded remittance instructions

Remit to city; Airbnb collects 12% on its bookings

Source for these notes: sebastopol.municipal.codes: smc

Platform tax collection guidance for Sebastopol

Collection is shown separately for each booking channel. Direct-booking taxes are paid by the host.

PlatformStateLocal
AirbnbNonePlatform collects
VrboNoneCheck
Booking.comNoneCheck
DirectNoneYou collect and remit

Platform collects means the platform pays that tax. You collect and remit means you pay it. Collection details unavailable identifies a missing answer for that channel. Filing duties are listed separately.

Your next steps

  • Get the required license or registration

    Apply for the required license or registration with the licensing office before you list.

  • Collection of the 12% local tax

    Follow the channel breakdown above; you collect and remit tax on direct bookings.

  • File your tax returns

    Find out how often you file and when returns are due. The record gives no filing schedule. Ask the tax office how often you file and when returns are due.

Sources & confidence

How we collect and check this information · Report a problem with this page

FigureValueSourceStatus
Sebastopol occupancy tax12%
Source
Source linked
California local lodging tax guidanceLocally administered
Source
Source linked
Licensing recordRequired
Source
Source linked
Official sources for the taxes and permit requirements shown above.

Sebastopol STR tax FAQ

Does Airbnb pay my Sebastopol occupancy taxes?

Airbnb collects this tax. You collect and remit tax on direct bookings.

Do I need a license to Airbnb in Sebastopol?

A license or registration is required.

What happens if I don't file?

Penalties and interest depend on the tax and authority. Check the applicable rules and contact the authority about any missed filings or payments.

How often do I file?

Find out how often you file and when returns are due. The record gives no filing schedule. Ask the tax office how often you file and when returns are due.