Home Energy Workshops in Sonoma County

Access Sonoma Broadband is developing a Sonoma County Broadband Strategic Plan and is seeking your assistance on the plan's development. Please see list of upcoming broadband workshops and focus groups.

One of our our newest reports on Sonoma County Women-owned Businesses was highlighted in the North Bay Business Journal. The report was done in collaboration with the North Bay Business Journal and all the area Chambers.

Click below to read the article or to read the report, visit our Data Center

Estimated plan check response times as of Monday, August 14, 2017.

The theme of this the 2016 Crop Report is sustainable farming in Sonoma County, which celebrates the growers and those who support them in making sustainable farming a local priority. 

The Department of Health Services Behavioral Health Division intends to award contract to California Human Development.

With the growing popularity of Levi's GranFondo and the Ironman Triathlon, Sonoma County is becoming one of the premier locations for endurance events in the United States.

Tim Ricard, EDB's cannabis program manager, was quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle about Sonoma County's new cannabis program: “We are focusing on allowing cultivators, distributors and manufacturers to become compliant with county and state regulations,” Ricard said. “An above-board industry provides better health and safety, and it really allows it to contribute positively to our local economic development.”

Creative Sonoma is proud to have significantly expanded our grant making portfolio this year. Over the past 2 months, we have awarded $184,000 to 28 recipients for creative projects through our Arts Education Innovation, Pop-Up Creativity, and Summer Arts Youth Program Grants.

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, In compliance with AB1497 and California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 27 Section 21660.3, that the Sonoma County Department of Health Services, Solid Waste Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) will be holding an informational meeting to review the new Solid Waste Facility Permit for West Sonoma County Disposal.

Permit Sonoma cannabis permit applications will be accepted beginning Wednesday, July 5, 2017. Permit Center opens at 8:00 AM, on July 5.

Coastal Valleys EMS Agency is in the process of creating a new tier to our current Paramedic Accreditation to include Flight Paramedic Accreditation.

A revised process for flight paramedic accreditation has been developed to recognize the unique needs air ambulance providers and personnel have when working in a multijurisdictional capacity.

We are recruiting for volunteers for IRONMAN Santa Rosa, which takes place Saturday, July 29, 2017. Join us in helping thousands of athletes get to the finish line in Santa Rosa!

On the Board of Supervisors Agenda for July 18, 2017:

The proposed Mitigation Policy has been developed for use by Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District staff and the General Manager in the evaluation of environmental mitigation-related proposals for District-protected lands, including conservation easements and District-owned properties.

Election Results for Special Election June 6, 2017.

Be sure to watch your mail (US Postal Service) for the annual bill for septic operational permits. Once it has arrived be sure to follow the instructions on back for paying your bill online. You must use your "OPB17" number listed on your invoice to pay your bill.

The County is seeking a qualified Community Based Organization (CBO) to provide outpatient services at the County’s Day Reporting Center (DRC).

In this issue of our e-newsletter, we cover the County’s cannabis workshop series, junior accessory dwelling Units, and a new online tool for contractors. We report back on Permit Sonoma’s response to the winter flooding. And we’ve got an update on the local response to the statewide Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

To improve visibility of the worsening mental health issue of Maternal Mental Health in Sonoma County, two members of the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership created a Maternal Mental Health infographic to bring awareness to this critical issue affecting mothers in Sonoma County through social media.

The EDB is currently seeking volunteers to serve on a 20 member, limited-term Advisory Group, which will help shape a five-year economic strategy for Sonoma County. Members of this group would work with County staff and consultants to prioritize actions and identify opportunities for Sonoma County’s continued economic strength.

Do you have ideas for ways to infuse creativity into your community? Then apply for a Creative Arts Pop Up Grant. Deadline: May 24, 2017.

On the Board of Supervisors Agenda for May 9, 2017:

Review adjustments to County department and agency user fees and charges included in this agenda, reflecting new or updated user fee and charge schedules to be effective on July 1, 2017, unless otherwise noted.  Applies to Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures, Department of Health Services, Fire and Emergency Services, Permit and Resource Management Department, Probation, Sheriff's Office, and Regional Parks.

With the help of the EDB and Working Solutions, Mercedes Hernandez, owner of Bow N Arrow Clothing was able to secure a business loan to open her bohemian-inspired clothing store in Cotati, CA.

Wet Weather Percolation and Groundwater Testing is CLOSED for the 2016-2017 season. Rainfall totals data and/or testing dates have been updated as of May 1, 2017.

Sonoma County and the nation this year will enjoy continued economic growth, but high housing costs and a lack of available workers threaten future prosperity, an economist told civic and business leaders Friday.

After a long dry spell, Sonoma County builders last year created the largest number of new single-family homes in almost a decade.

Santa Rosa's Courthouse Square will be unveiling its new look this week. The $10.5 million project reunifies the downtown square which has been divided by auto traffic for half a century.

Santa Rosa has been recognized as the best microbrewing culture in the United States, according to a recent ranking by the online journal, The Pudding. 

Although California is a powerhouse of technology and innovation, the digital divide persists for rural communities and low-income neighborhoods. Recently introduced legislation, The Internet For All Now Act, would ensure that  California remains economically competitive and a national leader in closing the digital divide.

The Behavioral Health Division presents a Public Hearing to review the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) 2017-2020 Three-Year Integrated Plan & Annual Update for 2015-2016 on May 16, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.

Sonoma County ranks 13th in the nation for solar-related jobs, according to a new report by The Solar Foundation. Employment in the county’s solar sector grew 44 percent from the previous year to 3,476 jobs in 2016.

The Department of Health Services, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), employs several strategies to prevent foodborne illness and promote health and quality of life in Sonoma County. Through education, permitting, inspection protocols, and complaint investigations, EHS collaborates with businesses to prevent diseases that result from interactions between people and the places they live, work, play and eat.

Looking for a six-figure salary in Sonoma County? According to 2015 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in health care, law, public safety and IT make the biggest bucks.

Three Sonoma County libraries will be lending more than books through May 2017.  The Guerneville, Sebastopol and Central Santa Rosa branches will have Do-It-Yourself tool kits that promote water and energy savings.

The Sonoma County economy is gaining national attention for its strength in job growth and business vitality. 

The Santa Rosa Junior College is expanding its career and technical training programs to help local firms find qualified workers.

The EDB's Al Lerma discusses the importance of immigrant businesses and consumer spending in Sonoma County.

Event Date: March 22, 2017 from 5:00 – 6:00 PM. Learn how to use online and mobile device tools for handling your permitting needs: Apply for permits, find out the status of a permit, schedule inspections, find out inspection results, pay permit fees, and more!

The specialty food and beverage manufacturing sector continues to grow at a rapid clip, in terms of both profits and employment, according to a December 2016 industry report from the Sonoma County Economic Development Board.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was deactivated at 6:00pm on February 9, 2017. County officials  continue to monitor weather conditions and assess any storm related impacts.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated at 5:00pm on February 9, 2017, due to the latest forecast from the California Nevada River Forecast Center indicating the Russian River reaching minor flood stages.

Accessory Unit regulations changed on January 24, 2017. New regulations allowing Junior Accessory Dwelling Units were also adopted.

More Information

The eighth annual Sonoma County Restaurant Week will continue the tradition of celebrating the finest Sonoma County food. From March 6-12, 2017, participating restaurants will present fantastic food at fantastic prices. No tickets or passes required. For more details, visit Sonoma County Restaurant Week.

This year's "Discovered: Emerging Artists from Sonoma County" features the work of five local artists. The show has been co-produced by the Petaluma Arts Center and Creative Sonoma, a division of Sonoma County’s Economic Development Board. The exhibit runs from January 24, 2017 - March 18, 2017.