Press Releases
Board of Supervisors votes to change vacation rental regulations and rules for timeshares
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today voted to change vacation rental regulations, create caps and exclusion zones for vacation rentals and to define fractionally owned housing as timeshares. The first action involved creating a business license program that standardizes operating requirements for vacation rentals to protect neighbors from nuisances, while the second action placed caps and exclusion zones in specific neighborhoods in the first, fourth and fifth supervisorial districts to reduce over-concentration of vacation rentals in these areas. Read full story
County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors to hold annual budget workshops April 25 to April 27
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors will hold its annual budget workshops on April 25, 26 and 27 to provide county residents and taxpayers an opportunity to learn about the 2023-2024 fiscal year preliminary spending plan and provide input to the Board of Supervisors before it adopts a final budget in June. The County of Sonoma fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30. The workshops are informational, and the board will not make any budget determinations for fiscal year 2023-24 at them. Read full story
Board of Supervisors authorizes acceptance of $6 million BRIC grant award and transfer of matching funds
The Board of Supervisors today accepted the award of a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant in the amount of $5,727,692 toward the first phase of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities or BRIC grant. Read full story
Board of Supervisors ends drought emergency, urges public to continue water-saving habits
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to end the local drought emergency it declared two years ago. But county leaders strongly encouraged the public to continue conserving water, with the region’s weather patterns becoming increasingly volatile as a result of climate change. Read full story
Board of Supervisors gives initial approval to Well Ordinance update
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday gave initial approval to amendments to the county’s Well Ordinance, which would create a new regulatory process for approving well permits. Read full story
Sonoma County gives initial approval to ordinance restricting camping on public property
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved a first reading of an amended ordinance limiting camping in public spaces including during daytime hours. The amendments bring Sonoma County’s existing camping ordinance into compliance with recent legal decisions concerning overnight camping while still providing the county options to discourage permanent housing encampments, prevent garbage buildup and address public health issues. Read full story
County Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach releases first audit under new state law
The Sonoma County Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach today released an audit of a Sheriff’s Office complaint, the first such report to be made public under a new state law for cases involving the use of force against a person by a law enforcement officer that resulted in death or great bodily injury. Read full story
Sonoma County announces Health Resource Fair at Mitote Food Park in Santa Rosa
The County of Sonoma, in partnership with local health care providers and community organizations, is hosting a Health Resource Fair on Saturday April 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mitote Food Park at 635 Sebastopol Road in Santa Rosa. Read full story
Sonoma County, nonprofit partner awarded $500,000 to promote free internet service for low-income households
The Sonoma County Economic Development Board has been awarded $300,000 from the Federal Communications Commission to expand local enrollment in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides free and discounted internet service to low-income households. Read full story
Sonoma County issues freeze alert
The County of Sonoma is issuing a freeze alert in response to the National Weather Service’s prediction of sub-freezing temperatures overnight tonight through Sunday morning. Officials recommend that residents limit time outdoors as serious medical conditions including hypothermia and frostbite can develop with prolonged exposure to cold weather. Read full story