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Proposed Local Coastal Plan Update

Permit and Resource Management Department

Project Updates

On November 27, 2023, Permit Sonoma submitted a Local Coastal Program (LCP) amendment application for Sonoma County’s adopted Local Coastal Plan to the California Coastal Commission. The California Coastal Commission responded with a filing letter dated December 11, 2023, requesting that Permit Sonoma provide additional information to adequately analyze the proposed project for Coastal Act Conformance. The Coastal Commission provided the amendment with a tracking number of LCP-2-SON-23-0058-2.

Certification Status:
Memo from Permit Sonoma on Certification Status May 08, 2024 (PDF)

April 19, 2024 – Coastal Commission Response to Permit Sonoma’s LCP Amendment Resubmittal:

In response to the Coastal Commission’s filing letter, Permit Sonoma resubmitted the Local Coastal Program amendment application with the requested items. The Coastal Commission responded with a subsequent letter dated April 19, 2024, determining the certification package incomplete. Permit Sonoma is continuing work on the Local Coastal Plan certification package.

April 2, 2024 – Permit Sonoma LCP Amendment Resubmittal:

December 11, 2023 – Coastal Commission’s Response to Permit Sonoma’s LCP Amendment Submittal:

November 27, 2024 – Permit Sonoma’s Initial LCP Amendment Submittal:

Please continue to check this webpage for the latest updates on Sonoma County’s Local Coastal Plan certification process.

Purpose

The State requires Sonoma County to develop a Local Coastal Plan (LCP) to regulate land use, protect coastal resources, and guide coastal development. In response to changing conditions over the last several decades, the LCP update addresses the following:

  • Adapt land use planning  to accommodate challenges created by climate change, including sea-level rise;
  • Safeguard and improve public access to the ocean;
  • Protect water resources;
  • Preserve aquatic and inland coastal ecosystems;
  • Preserve and protect agriculture;
  • Mitigate impacts from natural hazards and improve wildfire resiliency.

Documents

Local Coastal Plan Update

On July 17, 2023, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the first comprehensive update to the Local Coastal Plan since 1981. The Board directed Permit Sonoma to transmit the Local Coastal Plan to the California Coastal Commission as an amendment to the adopted Local Coastal Program for their review and certification.

July 2023 Board of Supervisors Adopted Local Coastal Plan

Element/ Section Description PDF File Size
1 Introduction 261.79 kB
2 Land Use Element 572.32 kB
3 Agricultural Resources Element 420.47 kB
4 Open Space and Resource Conservation Element 860.89 kB
5 Public Access Element 550.80 kB
6 Water Resources Element 516.37 kB
7 Public Safety Element 932.30 kB
8 Circulation and Transit Element 457.37 kB
9 Public Facilities and Services Element 678.46 kB
10 Cultural Resources Element 151.73 kB
11 Glossary 572.11 kB
Appendices 43.29 MB
Map Series 61.76 MB

California Coastal Commission Certification Process

On November 27, 2023, Permit Sonoma submitted a Local Coastal Program amendment application for Sonoma County’s adopted Local Coastal Plan to the California Coastal Commission. Permit Sonoma submitted application materials consistent with Coastal Act Sections 30510 through 30514 and Sections 13551 through 13555 of the Commission’s regulations, contained in Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR).

Permit Sonoma’s Local Coastal Program Amendment Submittal dated November 27, 2023:

  1. Adopted Resolution
    Local Coastal Plan Board of Supervisors Resolution July 17, 2023 (PDF: 107 MB)
  2. Hearing Dates/Local Notices
    Contact us at: PRMD-LCP-Update@sonoma-county.org
  3. Copies of speaker slips, written comments, and adopted minutes
    Public Comments and Minutes: Previous Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission Public Hearings (below)
  4. Mailing Lists
    Contact us at: PRMD-LCP-Update@sonoma-county.org
  5. Copy of Adopted LCP
    The adopted Local Coastal Plan: July 2023 Board of Supervisors Adopted Local Coastal Plan (above)
  6. Local Government Staff Reports
    All staff reports for the Local Coastal Plan update: Previous Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission Public Hearings (below)
  7. Supplementary Information
    Supplementary information for the Local Coastal Plan: Appendices (above)
  8. Environmental Review Documents
    Notice of Exemption filed with the State Clearinghouse on July 21, 2023 (PDF)
  9. Coastal Act Consistency Evaluations
    The elements of the new Local Coastal Plan was evaluated against the Coastal Act for Consistency and that analysis is contained in each element. Further analysis can be found in the Coastal Act Consistency Matrix (PDF).

The California Coastal Commission responded with a filing letter dated December 11, 2023, requesting that Permit Sonoma provide additional information to adequately analyze the proposed project for Coastal Act Conformance.

Permit Sonoma staff compiled the requested materials and resubmitted the LCP Amendment package to the Coastal Commission on April 2, 2024. The Coastal Commission responded with a filing letter dated April 11, 2024, requesting clarification on several of the application materials. Permit Sonoma is currently working on compiling a response to the Coastal Commission’s latest filing letter.

Once the Local Coastal Program Amendment application is deemed complete, the Coastal Commission will schedule a public hearing within 90 days to certify the Local Coastal Plan.

Please continue to check this website for further updates.

Implementation

Once certified by the Coastal Commission, the Local Coastal Plan will be implemented by amending the Coastal Zoning Ordinance and the Coastal Administration Manual, consistent with goals, objectives, policies, programs, and initiatives contained in the updated Local Coastal Plan. These documents are part of the Sonoma County Local Coastal Program and subject to the same public review, hearings, and certification process as the Local Coastal Plan. At each step of developing these amendments, there will be opportunities for public input and recommendations.

Previous Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission Public Hearings

  • November 10, 2021: Noise, Vibration, and Light Policy, Public Safety Element, Public Facilities & Service Element.
  • December 9, 2021: Circulation and Transit Element, Water Resources Element, Agricultural Resources Element.
  • January 13, 2022: Cultural & Historic Resources Element, Land Use Element (partial)
  • February 3, 2022: Land Use Element, Open Space & Resource Conservation Element (partial)
  • March 3, 2022: Open Space & Resource Conservation Element (complete), Public Access Element.
  • March 28, 2022: Initial review of Local Coastal Plan incorporating Planning Commission changes
  • June 29, 2022: Continue Review and Recommendation to the Board of Supervisors
  • August 30, 2022: The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors held a public workshop to provide an update on the Local Coastal Plan as recommended by the Planning Commission. 
  • October 4, 2022: The Board of Supervisors held a hearing on the LCP and asked staff to make additional recommendations before the item was returned to the Board.
  • April 4, 2023: The Board of Supervisors held a hearing on the LCP and asked staff to make additional recommendations before the item was returned to the Board.
  • July 17, 2023: The Board of Supervisors on July 17th, 2023, voted unanimously to adopt the Local Coastal Plan and directed Permit Sonoma to transmit the plan to the California Coastal Commission.

Local Coastal Plan Update Documents