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

On June 4, 2019 the Board of Supervisors approved the work plan for the County’s Comprehensive Planning efforts for fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. Permit Sonoma’s Comprehensive Planning team is responsible for the development and implementation of the General Plan and Area Plans, Local Coastal Plan, Specific Plans, Zoning Code, and other policy documents and initiatives as directed by the Board of Supervisors. 

In this issue of our e-newsletter we have:

• Fire Prevention – Chipper Program Video
• Sonoma Developmental Center
• Local Coastal Plan Photo Contest
• Code Enforcement Success Story
• Housing Initiatives
• Earthquake Preparedness

The County of Sonoma is embarking on a major planning effort involving the development of a Specific Plan to facilitate the transformation of the Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) property in Sonoma Valley. The County is seeking consultant services to prepare a specific plan & program EIR for the site.

In this issue of our e-newsletter we have:

• Fire Prevention – Vegetation Management
• Planning Commissioner Gregory Carr – Interview
• Osmann Rebuild Story – Letters to Permit Sonoma
• Hazardous Materials Response Team in Action

All Wet Weather Testing is CLOSED in All Areas for the 2018-2019 Season. Rainfall totals data and/or testing open dates have been updated as of April 26, 2019.  More Information

On April 16, 2019 staff presented the Comprehensive Planning Section’s Work Plan to the Board of Supervisors to help set priorities for the 2019 through 2021 budget years.

Permit Sonoma is closed for the Cesar Chavez holiday and wet weather testing cannot be scheduled for that day. Forms and payments for testing on Tuesday, April 2^nd must be submitted by 12:00 noon Friday, March 29^th.

In this issue of our e-newsletter we have:

• Permit Sonoma Welcomes New Deputy Director of Planning
• Swift Flood Response
• Code Enforcement Success Story
• Planning for Hazards

Due to the County's flood recovery efforts, the Board of Supervisor item for consideration of the proposed Onsite Waste Treatment Systems (OWTS) Manual has been postponed to May 21, 2019. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Background: In order to meet State mandated regulations, the County of Sonoma is updating our OWTS Manual. This Manual outlines County regulations and standards for septic systems.
More Information about the Update of the OWTS Manual

Permit Sonoma will accept site nominations for rezoning for higher-density housing until the end of March 2019.

Due to the 2019 Winter Storms and Flooding, Permit Sonoma staff must perform emergency safety assessments of affected properties on Friday, March 1, 2019. There will be no regular inspections scheduled or performed. There will also be no cube service at the Permit Center for the following disciplines: Code Enforcement, Engineering, Fire Prevention, Plan Check, Well & Septic. Please note that inspections and cube service may be affected the week of Monday, March 4th as well. More Information

In this issue of our e-newsletter we have:

• Increased Accessory Dwelling Unit Customer Service
• Expanded Support in Evaluating Rebuilding Construction Proposals
• Meet Planning Commissioner Ariel Kelley
• Cleaning Up Junkyards

Starting February 5, Permit Sonoma is offering dedicated staff and customer service hours in our Permit Center to help customers navigate the process of permitting an ADU. 

In this issue of our e-newsletter we have:

• Removing Barriers for Overnight Stays on Agricultural Land
• Hauser Bridge Replacement Project
• Disability Access Requirements and Resources
• Interview with Planning Commissioner Larry Reed

Apply Now! Applications are now being accepted for Historic Preservation Grants. Grant funds in this category are for the renovation, restoration, and/or preservation of historical resources.

We hear you! Thanks to everyone that responded to the County’s request for help in identifying potential sites in unincorporated areas to rezone for housing. As of January 4, 2019, we received submissions for 42 parcels to evaluate for rezoning. Of those parcels in the unincorporated area, there is a total of about 100 acres with a potential for approximately 2,000 new housing units.

As the County continues our initiative to produce more housing, we need your help in finding sites. If sites meet our criteria, we will work with the owner and community to rezone them for more density with design review to ensure quality and community compatibility.
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In this issue of our newsletter, we have: Great Artist Especially in Glass; Member of Russian River Sportsman’s Club, Permit Sonoma Welcomes Fire Prevention and Hazardous Materials Response Staff, Before and After: Increased Public Safety, Snap Our Coastal Beauty, When Do You Need a Traffic Study?, and Meet Planning Commissioner Todd Tamura.

On December 11, 2018, the Sonoma CountyBoard of Supervisorsapproved the relocation of fire inspection-related activities to Permit Sonoma. This move is one component of a phased effort that reimagines how fire and emergency services will be provided in Sonoma County. Effective January 1, 2019, the Fire Prevention Division and Hazardous Materials Division will be integrated into Permit Sonoma, increasing coordination of these fee-based inspection programs.

In this issue of our newsletter, we have Rebuilding Better, Storm Water Protection Measures Are Working, What Would Motivate you to Build an Accessory Dwelling Unit?, and Permitting Tips for Building a Fence.

The County of Sonoma and partnering cities want your input on potential barriers and incentives for building accessory dwelling units and/or junior accessory dwelling units. Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey (English or Spanish) to inform our efforts to increase housing in Sonoma County.

Well & Septic will not be conducting inspections on Wednesday, November 28 or Thursday, November 29, 2018 due to an all-staff training. No Well & Septic inspection appointments will be available on those dates. We apologize for any inconvenience.
All other inspections (e.g. Building or Engineering inspections) will proceed as usual.

In this issue of our newsletter, we have Housing for All, the West County Housing Fair, and Septic System Policy Updates.

On October 23, 2018, the Board of Supervisors approved a set of changes to the Sonoma County Zoning Code to expand opportunities for housing development in designated urban service areas.

The Board of Supervisors will consider the second set of Permit Sonoma's housing initiatives at its October 23, 2018 meeting.

The Water Board mandates that contractors meet specific storm water construction practices to prevent harmful pollutants from entering our watershed. Sonoma County is required by our permit from the Water Board to enforce compliance with these requirements. The County has been working with contractors in Larkfield and Mark West areas since August to get voluntary compliance and to notify them of the requirements.

As many of you know, in this competitive job market, our entire industry is experiencing a challenge in recruiting and retaining skilled building staff. Permit Sonoma currently has a 40 percent temporary shortage in staff members that review building permits. Our department closely monitors our permit turnaround times and makes this information publicly available through our online performance dashboard.   Read More

In this issue of our newsletter, we have an update to the County Septic Policy, tips to make sure your parcel is ready for winter, and news from the County’s cannabis code enforcement.

The County has launched a new cannabis dispensary waitlist available to applicants with permit eligible properties.

The North Bay is experiencing a housing affordability crisis. The catastrophic fires of 2017 exacerbated this situation by destroying thousands of homes. As the region rebuilds and builds the housing necessary for our next generation of people and their families, we need to be sure that we're responding to their changing needs and preferences. Please help this effort by responding to this survey (anonymously) and letting us know more about what your current needs are and what you would prefer to see in the future.

The County of Sonoma is updating County regulations for septic systems in order to meet state mandated regulations that protect water quality and public health. Permit Sonoma invites the public to attend upcoming community meetings to share feedback on the proposed Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Manual.

The staff report, Planning Commission resolution, and draft ordinance with exhibits for the housing code changes item (file number ORD18-0006) on the August 30, 2018 Planning Commission agenda are available for download.

Starting August 24, 2018, Permit Sonoma will begin implementing our new administrative citation program, supporting our goal of establishing a safe and healthy community. This new program provides an additional tool for enforcement, enabling the County to enforce various codes and ordinances via less stringent enforcement action. Administrative citations give us the ability to respond immediately to transient and nuisance violations in the field.

Permit Sonoma staff will bring a second set of housing initiatives to the Planning Commission on August 30, 2018.

On the Tuesday, August 7, 2018 Board of Supervisors Meeting, the County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Cannabis Ordinance Amendments.

In this issue of our e-newsletter we have updates on rebuilding, new housing resources, and septic system regulations.

Permit Sonoma staff will bring the second set of housing initiatives to the Planning Commission on August 23, 2018. This item was originally scheduled for August 2, but is being continued to August 23. 

Materials from the Wednesday, July 11, 2018 Housing Initiatives public workshop are now available for download. 

Permit Sonoma has a new housing dashboard to measure our success in meeting ambitious housing goals set by the Board of Supervisors. The County will be partnering with cities to create a community-wide housing dashboard in the coming months.

In this issue of our e-newsletter we have post-fire rebuilding progress, housing for all, increased enforcement for vacation rentals, and a cannabis ordinance update.

Today the County issued the certificate of occupancy for the first completed rebuild in unincorporated Sonoma County. This property is located in the Berrybrook neighborhood of Santa Rosa and was destroyed by the devastating 2017 Sonoma Complex Fires.
Find out more including photos

The County has been issuing land use permits for dispensaries since 2007. No more than 9 medical cannabis dispensaries can be permitted within the unincorporated county at any one time. There are currently 5 permitted dispensaries and 4 applications that have been deemed complete. At this time, the county is not accepting any new dispensary applications.

Sonoma County is conducting a voluntary survey to assess storm water awareness. We're looking for residents of Petaluma, Penngrove, Kenwood, Glen Ellen, and Sonoma to help guide our public outreach efforts for Region 2 of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. We appreciate you taking the time to help us with this program.

In this issue of our e-newsletter we have updates on rebuilding, new housing initiatives, the revised onsite waste treatment systems (OWTS) manual, and a new tool that allows you to schedule appointments at the Permit Center.