Vacation Rental Alternatives: 30‑Day+ Stays That Work

Thinking about offering your Kenwood or Glen Ellen home for longer than a weekend but not sure where to start? You are not alone. Many owners and guests want the wine country lifestyle without the short‑term vacation rental hassle. In this guide, you will learn how 30+ day stays work locally, who they suit, where to list them, and the key legal and safety steps to get right. Let’s dive in.

30 days is the dividing line

In unincorporated Sonoma County, a “vacation rental” is generally a booking of 30 days or less. Stays of 30+ days are treated more like residential tenancies, which means different rules and obligations for both sides. Review the county’s vacation rental framework on Permit Sonoma to understand where the line is set. You can also confirm how the county handles Transient Occupancy Tax for 30 days or less on the Treasurer‑Tax Collector’s page.

• Learn how county rules define vacation rentals: Permit Sonoma vacation rentals
• Confirm when TOT applies: Sonoma County TOT overview

Who month‑plus stays fit

Month‑plus options can work well for a few groups:

• Remote workers who want to live in Sonoma Valley for a season. Longer stays and work‑friendly setups have grown since 2020. See longer‑stay insights from Airbnb’s research on guest needs.
• Homeowners between moves or during renovations who need furnished housing for a month or two.
• Traveling professionals such as healthcare staff and consultants.

Pros for owners include steadier income, less turnover, and typically no county vacation rental permit or TOT when you cross the 30‑day mark. The trade‑off is that a 30+ day booking is usually a tenancy under California law. That brings notice, deposit, and lease requirements you must follow. For an overview of notice rules, review this explanation of Civil Code 1946 from a California attorney: 30‑ or 60‑day notice basics.

Where to list monthlies

Major platforms

Airbnb and similar platforms let you set a 30‑night minimum and offer monthly pricing. Longer‑stay guests value high‑speed internet and workspaces, which aligns with Airbnb’s findings on longer stays.

Professional marketplaces

If you prefer month‑to‑month, furnished rentals for traveling professionals, marketplaces like Furnished Finder are built for 30+ day bookings and tenant screening. Here is how it works for travelers: Furnished Finder traveler guide.

You can also explore corporate housing providers through local property managers, which is useful for relocations and renovation stays.

Owner checklist: Kenwood & Glen Ellen

Zoning and business rules

If you advertise or operate for 30 days or less, you enter the county’s vacation rental permit and performance standards program. If you shift to 30+ days, you are generally outside that program, but you create a tenancy with different obligations. Verify details for your parcel and HOA with Permit Sonoma and confirm any business licensing and tax questions with the county.

Insurance and leases

Standard homeowners policies often exclude business use. If you host month‑plus guests, consider a landlord or dwelling policy and use a clear written agreement. Platform protections are supplemental and may leave gaps. See this overview of coverage issues: Does homeowners insurance cover hosting.

For notice and tenancy timing, California has specific rules. Review the basics before you start: 30‑ or 60‑day notice basics.

Septic, utilities, wildfire

Many parcels in Kenwood and Glen Ellen use septic systems. Confirm capacity and maintenance, and make sure utilities and water meet month‑long use. Wildfire safety is a year‑round priority. Maintain defensible space and know inspection requirements using the county’s vegetation management page: Defensible space and abatement.

Every guest staying a month should have your evacuation plan and the property’s evacuation zone. Share the official map and alert sign‑ups: Sonoma County evacuation zones.

Guest experience and internet

Provide fast internet, a comfortable workspace, and a simple guide to local services. Connectivity can vary in rural pockets, so list the provider and typical speeds. Include grocery, medical, and transit notes, and a mini‑guide to nearby parks and tasting rooms. For a snapshot of local highlights, see Kenwood at Sonoma County Tourism.

Guest tips for 30+ days

• Ask for the home’s evacuation zone, local alert links, and a paper copy of the plan. Start with the evacuation map.
• Clarify what utilities, yard service, and internet are included. Confirm expected speeds and cell coverage.
• Consider renters insurance for personal property and liability. Many month‑stay providers ask for proof. This traveler guide explains the process on a popular monthly marketplace: How Furnished Finder works.

Pricing and timing tips

Sonoma Valley is highly seasonal from late spring through fall. Owners often find solid month‑plus demand from remote workers and relocating households in shoulder seasons, while peak months see strong short‑stay interest. Weigh occupancy and yield when choosing a strategy. For local flavor that attracts longer stays, point to trails, parks, and tasting rooms highlighted by Sonoma County Tourism.

How I can help

If you are weighing a month‑plus strategy for a Kenwood or Glen Ellen property, you do not have to figure it out alone. I can help you assess your options, connect you with local vendors and property managers, prepare the home for market, and position your plan around your next move. When you are ready to talk through the details, reach out to Brianna Benz for calm, local guidance.

FAQs

What counts as a vacation rental in unincorporated Sonoma County?

• Sonoma County treats stays of 30 days or less as vacation rentals that fall under the county’s permit and performance standards; see the framework at Permit Sonoma.

Do I collect TOT for a 30+ day booking in Kenwood or Glen Ellen?

• County Transient Occupancy Tax applies to occupancies of 30 days or less; month‑plus stays are generally not subject to county TOT, which you can confirm on the Sonoma County TOT overview.

Can I use Airbnb for 30‑night minimums?

• Yes, you can set a 30‑night minimum and tailor listings for longer stays; guest preferences for fast internet and workspace are highlighted in Airbnb’s longer‑stay insights.

What insurance should I have if I host month‑plus guests?

• Many homeowners policies exclude rental activity; hosts often use a landlord or dwelling policy and a written lease, with platform protections only as a supplement; see this overview from Investopedia.

What wildfire information must I share with long‑stay guests?

• Provide the property’s evacuation zone, exit routes, and alert sign‑ups, and maintain defensible space per county rules; start with the evacuation map and county defensible space guidance.