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Department of Health Services

Environmental Health

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Environmental Health

Our programs promote health and quality of life by preventing or controlling those diseases or deaths that result from interactions between people and the places they live, work and play. Our programs employ several strategies to prevent health hazards including education, surveillance, routine inspections, sampling, posting, and enforcement where necessary.

2024-2025 Environmental Health Fees

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors are conducting consolidated fee hearings on March 26, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Chambers located at 575 Administration Drive in Santa Rosa. The Department of Health Services is proposing fee increases for Environmental Health.

The Department of Health Services engaged with a consultant, Wohlford Consulting (Consultant) to perform a User Fee Study (Study) in Fiscal Year 2023-24. The goal of the Study was to present findings regarding cost recovery amounts from the fee analyses performed as part of the Study, and to provide information needed to update and establish user and regulatory fees for service. It was determined through that Study that the hourly rate of $236 for FY 23-24 should be raised by 10.6% to $261 for a majority of the fees collected by the Department of Health Services, Environmental Health.  Should the Board of Supervisors adopt these proposed fees, they would become effective July 1, 2024.

Recovery Information for Wildfires

We are dedicated to ensuring a safe and healthy environment, and keeping the public apprised of the county’s air quality in the aftermath of wildfires in Sonoma County.

For recovery information regarding the 2017 Sonoma Complex Fires, visit SonomaCountyRecovers.org.

The Best Science Job in America

Environmental Health Inspector-The Best Science Job in America (produced by SF Department of Health)

Featured Services

Homemade Foods

California Health & Safety Code (Cal Code) allows you to prepare certain non-perishable foods in your home and sell to the public with a cottage food operation (CFO) registration or permit.

Food Safety Manager Certification

Most food facilities are required to have at least one person, an owner or designated employee, who has passed an approved food safety certification exam. Most of the other facility employees are required to have a California Food Handler Card.

Fresh Water Quality

Environmental Health monitors bacterial levels in the water at beaches along the Russian River and at Spring Lake Swimming Lagoon by collecting and testing weekly water samples between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Ocean Water Quality

Environmental Health monitors bacterial levels at seven beaches on the Sonoma County coast by collecting and testing weekly water samples between April 1 and October 31.