Changes in State law related to accessory dwelling units (ADUs) will take effect January 1, 2020. These regulatory updates will remove minimum lot size requirements and reduce setback requirements, and private covenants (CC&Rs) may no longer prohibit ADUs on lots zoned for single family dwellings. 

Sonoma County Fire Prevention and Hazmat responded to a sodium hypochlorite leak Wednesday morning at 7:09 AM. This leak was the result of a truck fire, which took place at northbound U.S. Highway 101 at the South Cloverdale exit.

Effective December 9, 2019, the burn permit suspension in Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Solano, Yolo, and Colusa counties was lifted by Cal Fire. Those possessing current and valid agriculture and residential burn permits can resume burning on permissible burn days.

New state-mandated building codes, that govern the design and construction of structures and the maintenance of life safety systems within structures for fire prevention, go into effect on January 1, 2020.

In this issue of our e-newsletter we have:

Local Coastal Plan Update Workshops
Fire Rebuild Updates
Tanker Rollover HazMat Response Near Sonoma
Updates Coming to Sonoma County Building & Fire Codes

On November 16, 2019, Sonoma County Fire Prevention and Hazardous Materials Unit responded to an overturned tanker on Highway 121 near Sonoma. Approximately 3,000 gallons of fuel spilled on the ground. A successful stinger operation was initiated and the situation was mitigated.

In response to the Kincade Fire County leadership recognized the need for swift action so property owners could start the rebuilding process as quickly as possible. Important elements include debris cleanup, expedited permitting processes, and additional services for fire survivors. 

View the County of Sonoma’s interactive RESA map to see current structure-specific post-fire damage assessments.

On November 5, 2019, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors took action to meet the urgent housing needs of Kincade Fire survivors. The Kincaid Fire destroyed or damaged 434 structures, 209 of which are residential. In response to this fire, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Urgency Ordinance to add a new code, Kincade Fire Disaster Recovery (Chapter 40A), to Sonoma County Code.

As part of the County’s winery events work, the County retained a consultant to conduct traffic studies to address capacity and safety issues related to the increased traffic volumes associated with winery events.

The County of Sonoma will conduct an initial Household Hazardous Waste sweep on properties impacted by the Kincade Fire to protect the public and the environment.

Permit Sonoma's main Permit Center and Resiliency Permit Center reopened to the public on Monday, November 4, 2019.  This includes the resumption of regular inspections in areas that are not under mandatory evacuation and are not in the Kincade Fire burn area.  Additional News and Information

Residents impacted by the Kincade Fire can access recovery services and resources at the Local Assistance Center (LAC) which will open Monday, November 4, 2019 at the Healdsburg Community Center, 1557 Healdsburg Ave. 

Los residentes afectados por el Incendio Kincade pueden acceder a los servicios y recursos de recuperación en el Centro de Asistencia Local (LAC) que abrirá el lunes 4 de noviembre de 2019 en el Centro Comunitario de Healdsburg, 1557 Healdsburg Ave. 

On October 10, 2019, the Board of Supervisors voted to extend the Temporary Emergency Housing Ordinance related to the 2017 Complex Fires. The ordinance was originally scheduled to expire December 31, 2019, but will now be extended until December 31, 2021. With this extension, temporary recreational vehicles and manufactured homes will continue to be permitted for temporary emergency housing through December 31, 2021. Conditions of the permit require that a final inspection be requested prior to that date, confirming that the structure(s) have been removed by December 31, 2021.

Updated October 25, 2019 and Updated November 1, 2019 – In recognition of recent community events, including the evacuations related to the Kincade Fire and the extended power and gas outages, the public workshop series is being revised and extended into 2020. The first public workshop in the series will now be at The Sea Ranch.
Sonoma County Local Coastal Plan Update workshops on the Public Review Draft will be starting in November. View upcoming workshops locations, dates, and times.

Permit Sonoma’s Fire Prevention Division invites the public to celebrate Fire Prevention Week, October 6-12, 2019. The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) theme for the week “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” reminds the community to take action by developing and practicing a home fire escape plan.

The City of Santa Rosa and the County of Sonoma continue to encourage residents living in and around the areas burned by the Sonoma Complex Fires to prepare their property for the rainy season and remain alert for possible threats from intense winter storms. 

The California Association of Code Enforcement Officers (CACEO) announced that they will be awarding their 2019 Innovative Program Award to Permit Sonoma’s Code Enforcement Division. This award recognizes code enforcement programs that are both innovative and effective.

Sonoma County was recently awarded $586,739 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to support projects that mitigate seismic and wildfire hazards throughout the County.

In this issue of our e-newsletter we have:

• Temporary Occupancy Procedures for Fire Survivors
• Chapter 40: Sonoma Complex Fire Recovery Code Extension
• Cannabis Ordinance Update
• Accessory Dwelling Unit Code Changes
• Get Involved in the Local Coastal Plan Update!
• Permit Requirements for Back-up Generators
• Third Party Plan Check - Permit Process Improvement
• Expedited Plan Reviews - Permit Process Improvement

During a power de-energization event, a generator can provide emergency electrical power to your home. If you live in unincorporated Sonoma County and plan to use a generator that connects to your electrical panel, you will need a permit from Permit Sonoma for the electrical work. If the generator will be housed in a structure of its own, the structure may be subject to additional permits.

On Tuesday, September 17, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors removed zoning restrictions that prohibit the ability to apply to construct an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADUs) on over 1,900 agricultural properties. 

As part of our continued pursuit of process improvements, Permit Sonoma has revived our expedited plan review process.

As part of our continued pursuit of process improvements, Permit Sonoma has revised the Third Party Plan Check policy (BPC-013). The goal of the revision is to reduce permit processing time by removing some of the obstacles in our previous practice.

What is a Local Coastal Plan? The Local Coastal Plan (LCP) serves as the General Plan for the Sonoma Coast. The LCP provides guidance on issues including for land use, protection of resources, and public access. Help Permit Sonoma assess the best ways to engage residents in the update of the LCP update by taking a short survey!

The County is working to help fire survivors move back into their homes. In some cases, people may be able to obtain a temporary occupancy permit, allowing them to move into their home before the building permit is finaled.

On August 29, 2019, Permit Sonoma staff provided an update to the Planning Agency about the upcoming Cannabis Ordinance Amendments. Please watch this video to see a recap of this agenda item. 

In this issue of our e-newsletter we have:

• Code Enforcement Takes Action on Illegal Cannabis Grows
• Coastal Close-Up Photo Contest
• HazMat Team Keeps Our Roads and Waterways Safe
• Storm Drains Connect Streets to Creeks
• Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) Update
• Performance Dashboards

As of August 15, 2019, the Sonoma County Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Manual version 7.0 is in effect.  Customers are hereby advised that any septic applications will be required to comply with the provisions of the OWTS Manual version 7.0.  Customers are further advised of the following updates to Permit Sonoma’s permitting procedures...

The Director of Permit Sonoma hereby adopts the County of Sonoma’s Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Manual, version 7.0, dated August 15, 2019.

County Supervisors Approve and Fund Cannabis Ordinance Update Part II

A coalition of cities, counties, towns, and special districts that share the Russian River watershed have partnered to raise awareness about neighborhood storm drains and their connection to the vitality of our local creeks. Many community members are unaware of the fact that the storm drains in our streets, go directly into local creeks, and ultimately flow into the Russian River. 

In this issue of our e-newsletter we have:

• Environmental Resource Management Summer Academy
• Sonoma County Receives Merit Award for Housing Initiatives
• Local Fire Departments to Fly Flags for Red Flag Warnings
• Code Enforcement Success Story
• Vegetation Management & Defensible Space
• July 2019 Performance Data

Permit Sonoma is part of a public/private partnership to reduce pollution in the Sonoma Creek and Petaluma River watersheds.

Permit Sonoma, with regional partners, is introducing a new online tool to help estimate the costs, returns, and benefits associated with building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU).

As of July 12, 2019, Permit Sonoma will be changing how fees are assessed for encroachment permit applications and septic permit applications to be more consistent with how we assess fees for other types of similar construction permit applications.

The Sonoma County Housing Authority is accepting applications for its new Housing Choice Voucher lottery waiting list from July 1-31, 2019. Applications can be completed online at www.waitlistcheck.com/CA085 or in person at: Sonoma County Housing Authority, 1440 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa, CA, 95403, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

In this issue of our e-newsletter we have:

• June Performance Data
• Onsite Waste Treatment System Manual Updates
• Comprehensive Planning Work Plan
• Customer Interview with Jerry Eddinger
• Public Meeting Recaps
• Abandoned Vehicle Abatement – 2019 Flood Response

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has announced the burn ban suspension, beginning 12:01 a.m. Monday, June 17, 2019, and bans all outdoor burning except for campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property with landowner permission. The suspension of burn permits is implemented in response to the extremely high fire hazard conditions.