Sonoma County Tourism Business Improvement Area (BIA) Assessment

In May 2004, the City of Santa Rosa City Council approved Resolution Number 25954 to be a part of the County of Sonoma Tourism BIA. In November 2004, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved the establishment of a Tourism Business Improvement Area (BIA) in various cities and in the unincorporated areas of the County. This assessment took effect January 2005. Section 33-5 of the Tourism BIA Ordinance states that each Operator of a Lodging establishment generating total rent during the preceding fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) of greater than Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000) shall pay as an assessment a sum equal to 2% of the rent charged by the operator. For further information on this BIA Ordinance, please visit the Sonoma County Website.

To date, seven cities have approved consent resolutions and joined the Tourism BIA. By agreement with the County Treasurer-Tax Collector, the City of Santa Rosa collects the BIA assessment from qualifying entities in the City limits of Santa Rosa.

These funds are designated specifically to market overnight stays in the Business Improvement Area. For further information on their marketing efforts, please visit the Sonoma County Tourism Website.