Environmental Health and Safety
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 the latest regarding debris removal and household hazardous waste cleanup in the Walbridge Fire visit https://socoemergency.org/recover/walbridge-meyers-fire-recovery/debris-removal/.
- For the latest regarding debris removal and household hazardous waste cleanup in the Glass Fire visit https://socoemergency.org/recover/glass-wildfire/debris-removal/.
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 & Safety 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 & Safety monitors bacterial levels at seven beaches on the Sonoma County coast by collecting and testing weekly water samples between April 1 and October 31.
Public Notice: Solid Waste Management Program Local Enforcement Agency (LEA)
The Sonoma County Environmental Health Section, Solid Waste Management Program, acting as the Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) is certified by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to enforce state laws and regulations at solid waste sites within its jurisdiction. The Central Transfer/Processing Facility operates under a Solid Waste Facility Permit issued by the LEA. The operator has filed an application for a RFI amendment with the LEA. The RFI describes the design and operation of the facility.
Sonoma County Issues Public Health Advisory in Response to Winter Storm Hazards
Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase today issued a Public Health Advisory in response to potential high-water hazards from the winter storms.