Funding
Sonoma County Tourism’s funding comes from two sources: The Business Improvement Area (BIA) assessment, and the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT).
What is the BIA?
The Business Improvement Area (BIA), is an assessment initiated by the lodging industry to generate tourism marketing funds. The majority of SCT’s funding comes from a 2% assessment on applicable lodging rooms within the Sonoma County Tourism Business Improvement Area (BIA) for any property with revenue greater than $350,000 a year.
The Business Improvement Area includes all parts of unincorporated Sonoma County (parts that are outside of city limits) and all municipalities with the exceptions of Healdsburg and Sonoma.
The BIA, by its legislative mandate, is designated exclusively for use as tourism marketing funds. Business Improvement Area (BIA) assessments are only paid by individuals staying at a BIA lodging property.
What is TOT?
As with the BIA, Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is generated from individuals staying in our lodging properties. SCT receives 1.25% of the first 9% of transient occupancy tax (TOT) collected within the unincorporated areas of the County of Sonoma.
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is largely used for County government-driven services and programming. It is applied by our municipalities to fund programs such as public safety, economic development, parks, roads, infrastructure, affordable housing, health services, and education.
