Addressing and Road Naming

Primary access to your property may have changed, your address may have been on a previously unnamed road, or out of sequence per addressing standards. Your new address will make it more efficient for fire, emergency medical services, and law enforcement personnel to find your home in the event of an emergency. Additionally, delivery and service providers will be able to find your address more easily.

The Property and House Numbering system was adopted May 25th, 1954, by a resolution of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors as a portion of the Master Plan of the County of Sonoma. At that time, Old Redwood Hwy was defined as the baseline road dividing the County into East/West sections. Bodega Hwy and Sonoma Hwy were defined as the baseline road dividing the County into North/South sections. Street numbers of an address are either odd or even, depending on the side of the named road the residence is located on and on the direction of travel away from the relevant baseline road. Street numbers are assigned based on the distance from the baseline road along the named road. To find out more about addressing guidelines, go to: Chapter 13 – Sonoma County Fire Safety Ordinance, Article V. Fire Safe Standards, Division C. Signing and Building Numbering

No. Addresses must fit within the Property and House Numbering system as defined by the 1954 Master Plan resolution, Resolution No. 97-0827, and Sonoma County Fire Safe Ordinance/Fire Safe Standards. Permit Sonoma staff will determine the correct address for your project using the established address numbering system and the Fire Safe Standards for Addressing guidelines.

Vacant parcels are not addressed. Unless there is activity requiring certain permit types, such as building a new residence, your parcel will remain un-addressed. For answers to specific questions about your parcel, email PermitSonoma-Addressing@sonoma-county.org

Certain permits will initiate an address assignment. Some of these permits include a new residence, a new Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU), a permit for electricity for a well, among others. For answers to specific questions about your parcel, email PermitSonoma-Addressing@sonoma-county.org

New address numbers must be posted where your driveway meets the road and must be visible from both directions of travel on that road. Address numbers must be posted on your house in a place where they will be visible from the road or from your primary driveway. The numbers must be reflective, must contrast with their background, and they must be at least four inches tall. The numbers on your mailbox must be visible and match your address. For a complete listing of County address number specifications go to Chapter 13 – Sonoma County Fire Safety Ordinance, Article V. Fire Safe Standards, Division C. Signing and Building Numbering

Yes. There are limitations and Fire Safe Standards that apply. If your address would be improved and meet these standards, your address can be changed. Email us at PermitSonoma-Addressing@sonoma-county.org

We will notify the County Property Tax Assessor that the physical street address of your property has changed. Only you, or your authorized agent, are authorized to notify the Assessor of a mailing address change. This is to ensure that your property tax bill is mailed to the correct address. Your mailing address may be different than the property address if you own more than one property, use a post office box, or are out of state/country. Remember, you are responsible for paying your taxes by the due date, even if you do not receive a bill.

No. An address is not part of the legal description of your property. The legal description is contained in the deed and in the Preliminary Title Report you obtained prior to purchase.

Yes. You should notify your mortgage holder, property insurer, other creditors, issuers of other types of insurance (life, health, personal property, etc), in addition to service providers, and any others with whom you do business.

You may begin using your new address as soon as you receive the official notification letter from Permit Sonoma. It may be a few months before businesses and government agencies update their records. If anyone questions your new address, you may provide them with a copy of the official notification letter.

We will notify your local post office of your new address. The postal delivery system will cross reference your old address to your new address. For best service, either complete a Change of Address Packet by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS or use the United States Postal Service website to submit a change of address online.

Yes. Please email FirePrevention@sonoma-county.org for more information to begin the process. A majority of the property owners who use the road for their primary access or have property bordering the road must sign the petition form, agreeing to name the road and the stated choices for the name.

If the owners and users of the road petition the County for an official road name, they are collectively responsible for purchasing, installing, and maintaining an approved road name sign. The sign must meet County road sign specifications.

If one property owner was required to submit a Road Name Application, that owner has the primary responsibility for the initial installation of the sign. All owners and users of the road share responsibility for its maintenance. The sign must meet County road sign specifications.

County road sign secifications (provided by Sonoma Public Infrastructure (SPI)):

• 700 - Street Name Sign, Metal Pole Mounting (PDF)
• 702 - Street Name Sign, Wood Post Mounting (PDF)

Private Road Signs: All property owners along the road are collectively responsible for maintaining or replacing the sign, just as they are responsible for road maintenance. Together, you must replace the sign. Email FirePrevention@sonoma-county.org to obtain Sonoma County private road sign specifications.

County Maintained Road Signs: Contact Sonoma County Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) Road Maintenance Division by phone at (707) 565-5100 or report online via SoCo Connect.

No. If the road was originally private, it will remain private.

No. Your access road remains private property and its maintenance is the responsibility of the neighbors who use it for access to their properties.

Mail boxes stay where they are now. Mail delivery routes and the location of mail boxes are determined by the US Postal Service. If you want to change the location of your-mailbox, you must contact your local Postmaster.