Zone & Land Use Ordinance Changes
Instructions & Forms

A property's land use is limited by Zoning, General Plan, and specific plan ordinances. If a property owner or tenant's desired land use contradicts the limitations in those ordinances, the use is not allowed. Otherwise the ordinance(s) must be changed or amended, which requires a vote and approval by the Board of Supervisors.

Below are the documents needed to begin the process of changing or amending Zoning, the General Plan, or specific plans.

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How to Submit Planning Applications Electronically

For continuity of operations over the next several weeks, customers will have the option to submit planning applications electronically. Because our online permitting portal is not yet configured for Planning e-submittals, the submittal process will take place by email.

Please follow the process to submit a planning application online.

Zone Change

A Zone Change can be proposed in order to do one of the following:

Change from one zoning district to another
Change the zoning density on a property
Remove a combining district
Amend the text of the Sonoma County Zoning Code

Zone Change applications can also be required as a condition of a subdivision or a lot line adjustment approval.

As all proposed changes must be consistent with adopted Area Plans and the General Plan, applicants should verify with Planning staff if an Area Plan Amendment or General Plan Amendment must be filed in conjunction with the Zone Change.

All forms and Instructions listed below must be completed:

PJR-001 - Planning Application (PDF: 82 kB)
PJR-011 - Indemnification Agreement (PDF: 72 kB)
PJR-034 - Zone Change Application
PJR-095 - At-Cost Project Reimbursement (PDF: 80 kB)

General Plan Amendment

In order to amend a General Plan land use policy, designation or density on a parcel, an application must be made for a General Plan amendment.

General Plan amendment applications are evaluated on the basis of the following:

Environmental constraints
Protection of agriculture
Availability of public services
Projected population and employment levels
Planning Area policies
Other General Plan goals, objectives, and policies

Most amendments also require a concurrent zone change and or an Area Plan amendment to maintain consistency with related plans and codes. Development plans (e.g. subdivision or use permit) are recommended to accompany the application, but are not mandatory.

All forms and Instructions listed below must be completed: