Working together to expedite and attempt to resolve a pending federal lawsuit, the County of Sonoma, the Sonoma County Community Development Commission, and the City of Santa Rosa have reached an agreement with Homeless Action! and three individuals experiencing homelessness for a preliminary and temporary injunction.

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.

Here are 8 things you can do to start to get ready for the potential loss of power…

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

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?

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. 

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?

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?

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.

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?

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?

In the months following the 2017 wildfires, there was heightened awareness of the importance of ensuring that City fire survivors rebuild as well as that community-wide economic vitality was met by meeting housing development goals. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and the Santa Rosa City Council have been working to address the problem. In response, the concept of a regional housing construct began to take shape in the Renewal Enterprise District (RED).

On Thursday, May 9, 2019 through July 2019 the pedestrian walkway at the intersection Paulin Drive and Ventura avenue on the east side of Ventura will be closed for construction. Pedestrian traffic will be shifted from the northeast corner to the southeast corner, then across Ventura to the west side. 

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?

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.

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?

The following parks and trails are closed due to flooding or storm-related safety issues: the trail between Lake Benoist and Lake Wilson at Riverfront Regional Park, the South Ridge Trail between Vista Point and Canyon Trail at Shiloh Ranch Regional Park, and the Ragle Ranch back country trails. 

On April 2, 2019, the Department Heads responsible for overseeing Sonoma County’s safety net programs brought a set of contracting principles before the Board of Supervisors.

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

On Tuesday March 19, 2019 the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to enter several agreements that will move forward restructuring efforts of fire services in Sonoma County.

A month after Sonoma County was hit by a storm that caused historical floods, the Curbside Flood Debris Collection Program established in response to that disaster will come to an end.

The Local Assistance Center (LAC) in Guerneville, established to help residents impacted by the winter storms and floods in the Russian River area last week, will close on Saturday March 9, 2019.

The County of Sonoma is coordinating curbside debris collection to begin March 11 to assist Russian River communities with the significant amount of waste created by the flood disaster.

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.

Sonoma County crews and partner agencies have conducted evaluations and have determined it is safe to allow residents back into evacuation areas along the Russian River. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office have sent notifications lifting evacuation orders. Please be aware that roads will still have some debris. Use caution when entering these areas. If you see road crews, please make way for them to get through to keep clearing debris.

In the wake of this week’s severe storms and subsequent flooding along the Russian River, Governor Newsom has declared a State of Emergency to allow for state funds and resources to help our local community respond to and recover from the impacts of flooding, mudslides, and damage to critical infrastructure.

The Russian River reached a crest of 45.4 feet late Wednesday night, just short of the projected peak of 46 feet. The river has started to recede and is expected drop to below flood stage of 32 feet early Friday morning. Preliminary estimates indicate as many as 3,000 structures have been damaged during the flood.

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

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors declared a Local Emergency Tuesday in the midst of powerful winter storms that have battered the County with heavy rains that caused the Russian River to overflow its banks, and forcing the evacuation of thousands residents from the lower river area.

The proclamation requests that California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaim a State of Emergency, waive regulations that could hinder response and recovery efforts, and make state disaster and assistance and relief programs available for damage caused by the 2019 winter storms and flooding. The proclamation is the first step in seeking support for the response efforts that are under way and the recovery efforts that will follow.

The latest prediction from the California Nevada River Forecast Center indicates the Russian River will reach minor flood stages of 32 feet at 7 pm tonight, and it is anticipated that it will peak at 11 pm tomorrow, February 27, at a crest of 46.1 feet at Guerneville. It is expected that the Russian River will recede below flood levels, at 32 feet, at 10 pm on Thursday, February 28th.

In response, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders to residents living near the Russian River floodway and its tributaries through the Wireless Emergency Alert system (WEA), SoCoAlert and other social media tools. If you are planning to evacuate, we recommend you evacuate now to help clear the roads for emergency vehicles this evening.

The latest prediction from the California Nevada River Forecast Center indicates the Russian River will reach minor flood stages of 32 feet at 7 pm tonight, and it is anticipated that it will peak at 11 pm tomorrow, February 27, at a crest of 46.1 feet at Guerneville. It is expected that the Russian River will recede below flood levels, at 32 feet, at 10 pm on Thursday, February 28th.

In response, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders to residents living near the Russian River floodway and its tributaries through the Wireless Emergency Alert system (WEA), SoCoAlert and other social media tools. If you are planning to evacuate, we recommend you evacuate now to help clear the roads for emergency vehicles this evening. 

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

Explore how to make sustainable and low-carbon building choices in your rebuild or home improvements.