Explore how to make sustainable and low-carbon building choices in your rebuild or home improvements.

Rainfall totals data and/or testing open dates have been updated as of February 19, 2019. All areas remain open for Groundwater Determinations and Wet Weather Percolation Testing.

In this issue of our e-newsletter we have:

• Removing Barriers for Overnight Stays on Agricultural Land
• Hauser Bridge Replacement Project
• Disability Access Requirements and Resources
• Interview with Planning Commissioner Larry Reed

California HOPE also known as the Crisis Counseling Program (CCP) was designed and implemented to address the emotional impact on survivors of the 2017 Sonoma Complex Fires and it supports outreach events targeting vulnerable populations such as seniors, Latino residents, and families with children age five and under. The data in this report shows survivors in the various regions are not experiencing event reactions in identical ways. 

Apply Now! Applications are now being accepted for Historic Preservation Grants. Grant funds in this category are for the renovation, restoration, and/or preservation of historical resources.

This highly anticipated annual breakfast event will highlight key opportunities, challenges, and initiatives facing Sonoma County in the coming year. 

Register Now!  Limited seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, until sold out.

We hear you! Thanks to everyone that responded to the County’s request for help in identifying potential sites in unincorporated areas to rezone for housing. As of January 4, 2019, we received submissions for 42 parcels to evaluate for rezoning. Of those parcels in the unincorporated area, there is a total of about 100 acres with a potential for approximately 2,000 new housing units.

As the County continues our initiative to produce more housing, we need your help in finding sites. If sites meet our criteria, we will work with the owner and community to rezone them for more density with design review to ensure quality and community compatibility.
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In this issue of our newsletter, we have: Great Artist Especially in Glass; Member of Russian River Sportsman’s Club, Permit Sonoma Welcomes Fire Prevention and Hazardous Materials Response Staff, Before and After: Increased Public Safety, Snap Our Coastal Beauty, When Do You Need a Traffic Study?, and Meet Planning Commissioner Todd Tamura.

The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) newsletter is published every two to three months by Sonoma County Behavioral Health.

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services Behavioral Health Division is seeking applications for membership on its Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Steering Committee.

On December 11, 2018, the Sonoma CountyBoard of Supervisorsapproved the relocation of fire inspection-related activities to Permit Sonoma. This move is one component of a phased effort that reimagines how fire and emergency services will be provided in Sonoma County. Effective January 1, 2019, the Fire Prevention Division and Hazardous Materials Division will be integrated into Permit Sonoma, increasing coordination of these fee-based inspection programs.

In this issue of our newsletter, we have Rebuilding Better, Storm Water Protection Measures Are Working, What Would Motivate you to Build an Accessory Dwelling Unit?, and Permitting Tips for Building a Fence.

La calidad del aire en el Condado de Sonoma ha permanecido pobre. Actualmente, la condición del aire se encuentra mayormente en la categoria ‘roja’, lo cual significa poco sano. Debido a los incendios activos y los cambios de los patrones del aire la calidad del aire puede variar impredeciblemente por varios dias, pero el pronóstico actual del tiempo predice cambios a mediado de la semana. Estamos esperanzados que la condición del aire mejore despues de estos cambios ambientales. Este aviso de salud permanecera vigente hasta que la calidad del aire mejore de manera significante y consistente.

Los niños, ancianos y las personas con problemas respiratorios tales como asma, enfermedades pulmonares o cardíacas, tienen el mayor riesgo de sufrir efectos dañinos al estar expuestos a esta situación.

Air quality conditions in Sonoma County remain poor. Currently, air quality is mostly in the “red”, unhealthy range. Due to the active wildfires and changing wind patterns our air quality may vary unpredictably however, current weather forecasts predict changes in the middle of this week. We are hopeful that air quality conditions will improve after the weather changes. This health advisory will remain in effect, until the air quality significantly and consistently improves. 

Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma, lung disease and heart disease are most at risk for harmful impacts.

As much as possible everyone should limit their time outdoors especially if the smell of smoke is present. Protect your health by following these healthy habits:

Well & Septic will not be conducting inspections on Wednesday, November 28 or Thursday, November 29, 2018 due to an all-staff training. No Well & Septic inspection appointments will be available on those dates. We apologize for any inconvenience.
All other inspections (e.g. Building or Engineering inspections) will proceed as usual.

The Behavioral Health Division presents a Public Hearing to review the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) 2018-2019 Plan Update & Annual Update for 2016-2017 on December 5, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.

Air quality conditions in Sonoma County remain poor. Currently, air quality is mostly in the “red”, unhealthy range. Due to the active wildfires and changing wind patterns our air quality may vary unpredictably for many days. We are hopeful that conditions will improve but weather forecasts indicate significant changes will not occur until next week. This health advisory will remain in effect, until the air quality significantly and consistently improves.

Everyone should limit their time outdoors and avoid outdoor exertion.

Children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma, lung disease and heart disease are most at risk for harmful impacts.

The Camp Fire in Butte County is sending smoke into Sonoma County. Currently the air quality conditions are poor as levels of particulate matter are extremely elevated. These conditions are expected to impact Sonoma County until tomorrow when wind patterns are predicted to change.

Children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma, lung disease and heart disease are most at risk for harmful impacts.

In this issue of our newsletter, we have Housing for All, the West County Housing Fair, and Septic System Policy Updates.

On October 23, 2018, the Board of Supervisors approved a set of changes to the Sonoma County Zoning Code to expand opportunities for housing development in designated urban service areas.

The Board of Supervisors will consider the second set of Permit Sonoma's housing initiatives at its October 23, 2018 meeting.

Sonoma County officials are prepared to notify residents who will likely be impacted by PG&E’s planned power shut-off this evening, due to extreme weather conditions. PG&E estimates that around 400 customers in Sonoma County will be impacted by a power shut-off.

The Water Board mandates that contractors meet specific storm water construction practices to prevent harmful pollutants from entering our watershed. Sonoma County is required by our permit from the Water Board to enforce compliance with these requirements. The County has been working with contractors in Larkfield and Mark West areas since August to get voluntary compliance and to notify them of the requirements.

As many of you know, in this competitive job market, our entire industry is experiencing a challenge in recruiting and retaining skilled building staff. Permit Sonoma currently has a 40 percent temporary shortage in staff members that review building permits. Our department closely monitors our permit turnaround times and makes this information publicly available through our online performance dashboard.   Read More

In this issue of our newsletter, we have an update to the County Septic Policy, tips to make sure your parcel is ready for winter, and news from the County’s cannabis code enforcement.

The County has launched a new cannabis dispensary waitlist available to applicants with permit eligible properties.

The North Bay is experiencing a housing affordability crisis. The catastrophic fires of 2017 exacerbated this situation by destroying thousands of homes. As the region rebuilds and builds the housing necessary for our next generation of people and their families, we need to be sure that we're responding to their changing needs and preferences. Please help this effort by responding to this survey (anonymously) and letting us know more about what your current needs are and what you would prefer to see in the future.

The County of Sonoma is updating County regulations for septic systems in order to meet state mandated regulations that protect water quality and public health. Permit Sonoma invites the public to attend upcoming community meetings to share feedback on the proposed Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Manual.

The staff report, Planning Commission resolution, and draft ordinance with exhibits for the housing code changes item (file number ORD18-0006) on the August 30, 2018 Planning Commission agenda are available for download.

Starting August 24, 2018, Permit Sonoma will begin implementing our new administrative citation program, supporting our goal of establishing a safe and healthy community. This new program provides an additional tool for enforcement, enabling the County to enforce various codes and ordinances via less stringent enforcement action. Administrative citations give us the ability to respond immediately to transient and nuisance violations in the field.

On the Tuesday, August 7, 2018 Board of Supervisors Meeting, the County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Cannabis Ordinance Amendments.

The Department wishes to thank all of the organizations that submitted a response to this Request for Qualifications.

The Department wishes to thank all of the organizations that submitted a response to this Request for Qualifications.