Could a new dog, cat or bunny companion bring you happiness and joy? Maybe one of our Pets of the Week is the right match for you?

Permit Sonoma is implementing a variety of septic permitting improvements in an effort to assist customers comply with the recently adopted Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Manual version 7.0 and to make our permitting processes clearer and more efficient.

On December 23rd, the Board approved $12 Million for solutions to house and shelter those living on the Joe Rodota Trail.

El Condado de Sonoma continúa trabajando para encontrar soluciones a la crisis de personas sin hogar en el Sendero Joe Rodota. Siguiendo la dirección de la Junta de Supervisores, el Condado activó un Centro de Operaciones Conjuntas (JOC) para acelerar la planeación y respuesta ante esta crisis. Estamos trabajando con expertos, agencias regionales, y con grupos comunitarios...

The County of Sonoma continues to work to find solutions to the homelessness crisis at the Joe Rodota Trail. Following direction from the Board of Supervisors, we have activated a Joint Operations Center (JOC) to expedite response and planning to address this crisis. Several County departments and stakeholders are working together…

Could a new dog, cat or bunny companion bring you happiness and joy? Maybe one of our Pets of the Week is the right match for you?

Twenty-five Sonoma County residents are becoming certified LISTOS Trainers in Sonoma County this week. LISTOS is a grassroots preparedness program tailored for the Spanish speaking community. 

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.

Today, the State Auditor’s Office released a report evaluating our evacuation of residents with Access and Functional Needs during the 2017 fires, along with two other counties who suffered major disasters.

Hoy la Oficina del Auditor Estatal presentó un reporte que evalúa la evacuación de residentes con Necesidades Funcionales y de Acceso (AFN – Access and Functional Needs) durante los incendios del 2017. El reporte incluye nuestro condado y otros dos condados afectados por desastres significativos.

Hoy la Oficina del Auditor Estatal presentó un reporte que evalúa la evacuación de residentes con Necesidades Funcionales y de Acceso (AFN – Access and Functional Needs) durante los incendios del 2017. 

Today, the State Auditor’s Office released a report evaluating our evacuation of residents with Access and Functional Needs during the 2017 fires, along with two other counties who suffered major disasters. 

The Power Shutoff & Wildfire Safety Town Hall was held at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall, 126 1st Street W, Sonoma, California on Monday, November 25, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m where the public heard from experts and local officials.  A summary of 2018 and 2019 Fire Relief & Recovery legislation was presented.

PG&E has shutoff the power to portions of Sonoma County, and may turn power off in additional areas throughout the day (11/20/2019)

A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for the North Bay mountains and East Bay hills above 1000 feet beginning late Tuesday evening, November 19, through Thursday morning, November 21, 2019.

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.

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

Animal Services mission continues to be providing high quality and compassionate care for our community’s domestic animals and livestock. In the wake of the fires, our work has focused on the rescue, recovery and reunification of animals affected by the fires (and has not been limited to domestic animals and livestock).

Most County offices are open for regular operations starting on November 1, 2019, except for those listed at this link.

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. 

Even though PG&E is beginning safety inspections, power shutoffs are expected to occur at 2 a.m. for public safety as high winds are expected to return on Tuesday at 6 a.m.

PG&E has announced that they will initiate another Public Safety Power Shutoff that will impact significant portions of Sonoma County on Saturday (10/26), Sunday (10/27), and Monday (10/28). The timing for the shutoff begins Saturday starting as early as approximately 1:00 p.m. (10/26). Due to the intensity of the forecasted weather and the likelihood of damage to PG&E’s infrastructure, it is anticipated that over 90,000 PG&E customers throughout portions of Sonoma County will be impacted for an extended period of time. Community members are urged to prepare now in the event of an extended outage lasting multiple days.

PG&E began restoring power to Sonoma County yesterday afternoon, October 24. As of 10 pm last night, PG&E restored power to 81% of the customers impacted in Sonoma County by the October 23 power shutoff. PG&E is projecting 100% power restoration to areas of Sonoma County impacted by the power shutoff by today (10/25)at 7 pm. Due to damage and needed repairs, particularly in and around the footprint of the Kincade Fire, some areas of the County will experience delays in restoration.

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.

El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional actualizado alerta roja para las montañas del Norte de la Bahía y los valles internos del Norte de la Bahía, los cuales incluyen todo Santa Rosa y la mayoría del Condado de Sonoma. En efecto, desde el mediodía del miércoles, 23 de octubre, hasta las 4:00 p.m. del dia jueves, 24 de octubre.  

Individuals with Health Conditions Individuals with health conditions should talk to their physicians to develop a personal plan for dealing with smoke…

Due to the Kincade Fire, there may be parts of northern Sonoma County where air quality conditions are UNHEALTHY. Changing wind patterns and pending fire conditions are making air quality unpredictable. We are hopeful that air quality conditions will improve after the weather changes. This health advisory will remain in effect, until the air quality significantly and consistently improves.

Residents of the Fitch Mountain community are invited to participate in the County of Sonoma’s evacuation drill. This event has been postponed until further notice. 

Sonoma County is under a red flag warning for critical fire weather until Thursday at 4PM. PG&E is conducting an imminent power shutoff, which may cause you lose power starting at 3 PM today, October 23, 2019. A prolonged outage may reduce our ability to warn you in the event of an emergency. Please remain aware of your surroundings and be prepared to evacuate if you feel in danger.

Millions of people in schools, organizations and homes participate! Everyone, everywhere should practice earthquake safety. International ShakeOut Day is October 17, but you can drill on any day.

PG&E implemented the scheduled power shutoff across areas in Sonoma County. This is due to severe weather conditions that carry significant fire risk, specifically high winds and low humidity. Approximately 200,000 Sonoma County residents have been affected.

PG&E implemento primera fase de corte de energía en el Condado de Sonoma. Esto es el resultado de las condiciones del clima severo que ha puesto en alto riesgo de incendios, especialmente vientos fuertes y baja humedad. Aproximadamente 200,000 residentes del Condado de Sonoma han sido afectados.

Due to the power outage, many County offices will be closed, some services will be limited, and some public meetings will be canceled.

A majority of Sonoma County is under a red flag warning for critical fire weather from Wednesday at 5AM through Thursday at 5PM. PG&E is conducting an imminent power shutoff. You may lose power starting at midnight tonight. A prolonged outage may reduce our ability to warn you in the event of an emergency. Remain aware of your surroundings and be prepared to evacuate if you feel in danger.

A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for Sonoma County from Wednesday 5 a.m. (10/9) to Thursday 5 p.m. for strong and gusty offshore winds and low humidity. PG&E has issued a Public Safety Power Shutoff Watch for Wednesday, October 9th, 2019 at 4:00 a.m. until Thursday, October 10th, 2019 at noon affecting the County. If fire weather conditions persist, PG&E may potentially shut power off.

El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional ha emitido una Vigilancia de Incendios Climáticos y incluye a todo el condado de Sonoma con la excepción de la cordillera de la costa comenzando el miércoles a las 5 a.m. (10/9) hasta el jueves a las 5 p.m., por vientos marinos fuertes y racheados y poca humedad.

The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for vast portions of Northern California. PG&E is considering conducting a power shutoff across portions of approximately 30 counties including Sonoma County. The County of Sonoma is following the situation closely to respond appropriately.

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

Residents of Mill Creek are invited to participate in a Sonoma County Evacuation Drill on October 19^th. The Department of Emergency Management is working with residents to refine evacuation map for the local area, and procedures.

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.

PG&E has announced that they do not project a power shutoff event for today, Monday 9/23 for Sonoma County. PG&E will continue to monitor the weather for a potential shutoff on tomorrow, Tuesday 9/24.

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!