Sonoma County Board of Supervisors reduces fees for affordable housing projects

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved a plan to eliminate millions of dollars in impact fees charged to developers that build affordable housing, part of an ongoing effort by the County to make housing more affordable and accessible. 

The fees, which are used to fund County roads and parks, will be waived for housing projects in unincorporated areas of Sonoma County that reserve units for moderate-income, low-income and very low-income renters and buyers.

“From skyrocketing rents to a lack of affordable housing options, too many of our neighbors are struggling to keep a roof over their heads,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Today’s action is part of a broader effort to ensure the County’s housing policies prioritize both stability and growth. That means creating pathways to build affordable homes, exploring new strategies to protect renters, and working with developers and community partners to address the shortage of housing at all income levels.” 

Today’s decision could eliminate nearly $20 million in traffic and parks impact fees over the next two years, according to a County estimate presented to the Board at its Jan. 14 meeting. At that time, there were 15 eligible projects under development that, if completed, would create more than 1,900 units of affordable housing. 

The Board of Supervisors today allocated $1.5 million to backfill the waived fees through the end of 2026. To qualify for the fee waiver, developers must record affordability restrictions into the deeds for the homes, ensuring new rental units remain affordable for at least 55 years and ownership units remain affordable for at least 45 years. Other elements of the program can be viewed here. 

The Board of Supervisors is committed to increasing affordable housing development near public transportation and easy access to services under its five-year Strategic Plan. To achieve this goal, the County is working to update zoning and increase housing density in unincorporated urban areas, identify and leverage grant funding for housing development, and create incentives for developers to promote affordable housing development. 

Last year, the Board of Supervisors adopted new protections for renters in the unincorporated area. In 2023, it allowed up to two ADUs – short for accessory dwelling units – on a parcel, double the number it permitted before.

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Media Contact: 
Ted Appel, Communications Specialist 
publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org 
(707) 565-3040 
575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A 
Santa Rosa, CA 95403