Permit Sonoma has physically reopened our Permit Center to the public full-time, starting Tuesday, June 15, 2021. We continue to encourage the use of our digital tools. Our online permitting services remain the best way to have your permit processed and email is the best way to contact staff.

The County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors this week approved the use of $370,000 in one-time funds to speed up progress on the backlog of cannabis permit applications, as well as for public outreach and staff support in developing cannabis policy goals as the basis for an Environmental Impact Report under the California Environmental Quality Act.

The dry weather season for well yield testing opened June 1, 2021 and soil mottling is now authorized as a substitute for groundwater determinations.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has announced the enactment of a burn suspension, beginning at 12:01 AM Monday, May 10, 2021, which bans all outdoor burning.

On April 19, 2021, Permit Sonoma staff is publishing a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which analyzes the environmental impact of potentially rezoning 59 sites in unincorporated Sonoma County to accommodate the county’s housing need.

Permit Sonoma published a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that analyzed the environmental impact of potentially rezoning up to 59 sites for housing.

Permit Sonoma published a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that analyzed the environmental impact of potentially rezoning up to 59 sites for housing. Releasing the Draft EIR is a critical step in rezoning parcels to meet Sonoma County's share of its Regional Housing Needs Allocation and to comply with state housing laws.

The Board of Supervisors today delegated a committee to facilitate the allocation of $2 million to $4 million in PG&E settlement funds for near-term vegetation management projects with an emphasis on activities in high-risk areas and near key ecosystems.

Permit Sonoma will physically reopen our Permit Center to the public 20 hours per week, starting Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Please be mindful that our digital tools and email remain the most efficient way to have your permit processed or reach staff.

Permit Sonoma is presenting an opportunity for the public to provide input at a virtual public workshop on February 18, 2021 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. regarding the development of the draft County Winery Events Policy.

The deadline for fire survivors to apply for the State of California’s consolidated fire debris removal program has been extended to Feb. 1, 2021 by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). 

Testing is not yet open for the 2021 season. Rainfall totals data and/or testing dates have been updated as of January 7, 2021.  More Information

Sonoma County and partner jurisdictions are partnering to update the Countywide Hazard Mitigation Plan.  You can get involved now by completing the community survey!

The deadline for fire survivors to apply for the State of California’s consolidated fire debris removal program has been extended to Jan. 15, 2021 by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).

Approximately 9,500 rural well owners in Sonoma County will soon be receiving a survey designed to elicit their concerns and ideas about local groundwater conditions.

Sonoma County fire survivors who have residential property that was destroyed or significantly damaged by the Walbridge, Meyers or Glass fires have the ability to access Phase 2 of the Consolidated Fire Debris Removal Program being offered by the State of California to ensure properties are left free of hazardous waste and debris

Sonoma County Environmental Health and the City of Santa Rosa, in partnership with CalRecycle and California Office of Emergency Services, will hold a virtual webinar training on Fire Debris Removal for contractors and waste haulers on Monday, November 16, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will open a Mobile Response Intake Center on Friday, Nov. 6 at Maria Carrillo High School, 6975 Montecito Blvd, Santa Rosa to provide one-on-one support to Glass Fire survivors registering for federal disaster assistance.

Sonoma County fire survivors who have residential property that was destroyed or significantly damaged by the Walbridge, Meyers or Glass fires have the ability to access Phase 2 of the Consolidated Fire Debris Removal Program being offered by the State of California to ensure properties are left free of hazardous waste and debris

Sonoma County has extended its free Residential Chipper Program for 2020 to reduce the risk for spread of wildfires. The expansion of the program is the result of a Board of Supervisors decision to increase funding for vegetation management in Sonoma County.

El Departamento de Control de Sustancias Tóxicas de California espera iniciar Fase 1 que incluyera barridos de residuos peligrosos.

The California Department of Toxic Substance Control is expected to initiate the Phase 1 Household Hazardous Waste Sweeps next week for residential properties with damaged or destroyed structures from the Glass Fire in Sonoma County.

On Oct. 22, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that three additional counties – Napa, Shasta and Sonoma – had been added to the Major Disaster Declaration, initially approved by The White House on Oct 16, 2020, to bolster the state’s emergency response to wildfires across the state and support impacted residents.

Sonoma County is preparing to support Glass Fire survivors in clearing their properties so that rebuilding can begin. The process of clearing properties consists of two phases.

Septic Professionals: This message is intended as a reminder to please submit complete septic applications in accordance with county standards including the OWTS Manual v7.0, policies and procedures, and published guidance documents as well as to encourage and promote professional communications.

Residents returning to areas burned in the Glass Fire are asked to visit  supply and support stations (also called commodity points of distribution or CPODs) operated by the County of Sonoma and the City of Santa Rosa to receive critical safety information and equipment.

Sonoma County and the City of Santa Rosa, with state and federal representatives, will host a virtual town hall to share information about Glass Fire recovery and re-entry on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Residents affected by the Glass Fire will be able to access recovery services and resources at a Local Assistance Center (LAC) beginning on Monday, October. 5, 2020. 

All properties that sustained structural damage as a result of the Meyers and Walbridge fires should have by now been swept for hazardous household waste. 

Information in this special newsletter features prevention and recovery information including these topics: Expanded 2020 Curbside Chipper Program, Rebuilding after the Walbridge and Meyers Fires, and Disaster Recovery Urgency Ordinance Chapter 40C

FAQs for properties damaged by the LNU Complex fires.

The California Department of Toxic Substance Control has initiated the Phase 1 Household Hazardous Waste Sweeps of properties with damaged or destroyed structures from the Meyers and Walbridge fires in Sonoma County.

Residents affected by the Walbridge and Meyers fires can access recovery services and resources at two Local Assistance Centers (LACs) beginning Saturday, Aug. 29.  Both LACs will provide the same resources to residents, including assistance with replacing documents (such as drivers licenses, identification cards and vital records), accessing financial resources, rebuilding information and the insurance claims process. Non-profits will be on-hand to assist with resource coordination but will not be issuing gift cards.

Residents returning to areas burned in the Meyers and Walbridge fires should stop at controlled entry checkpoints (called Commodity Points of Distribution or CPODs) operated by the County of Sonoma to receive critical safety information and equipment. To ensure that only residents enter the burned areas, staff will verify residents’ addresses. 

Staff gave a presentation regarding the Cannabis Ordinance Update key items for consideration, process, and timeline.

View the PowerPoint Presentation. 

Sonoma County and several other jurisdictions throughout the County are collaborating on an update to the 2016 Sonoma County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan with a Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Sonoma Water’s Board of Directors adopted a resolution approving the Flood Management Design Manual (FMDM) to provide guidance and criteria for the conveyance of storm water. The FMDM is a significant update to the existing criteria and will replace the current Sonoma County Water Agency Flood Control Design Criteria (FCDC).

Permit Sonoma is currently open for 20 hours per week for live phone assistance as well as limited video and in-person appointments. The Permit Center is closed to the public until further notice. Virtual services remain available during regular business hours.

Permit Sonoma will be reopening for limited services and for limited hours starting July 6, 2020.

As Independence Day approaches, the County of Sonoma Fire Prevention division would like to remind residents and visitors that all fireworks are illegal in unincorporated Sonoma County.

Take the Sonoma County Community Development Commission's Assessment of Fair Housing survey

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has announced the burn suspension, beginning 12:01 a.m. Monday, June 15, 2020, and bans all outdoor burning.

Today marks the first day of the season for Sonoma County’s Residential Curbside Chipper program. This free curbside chipper service supports residents in creating defensible space around their homes and reduces vegetation along access routes.

The Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) has entered a new chapter as the County and State embark on a unique partnership to prepare a Specific Plan for the site that will guide the progress of the site.

Permit Sonoma is extending the scoping period for the Housing Sites EIR and hosting a virtual public meeting on May 6, 2020.