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2024 Season - Wet Weather Groundwater Determinations & Percolation Testing: Partially Open
Groundwater determinations and percolation testing are necessary for onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). Groundwater determinations have reopened in the Guerneville testing area, closed in all other testing areas. Percolation testing is open in all testing areas. Read full story
Updates to the Groundwater Determinations Policy
The Groundwater Determinations Policy has been updated. The changes reflect clarifying language and updates regarding the radius distance surrounding a groundwater test hole, the number of test holes required for a proposed septic system and depths of test holes based on site conditions such as impermeable layers. Read full story
Board of Supervisors Consideration of Revised OWTS Manual early 2023
The Board of Supervisors will be considering the revised OWTS Manual at an upcoming meeting early in 2023. With direction from the Board of Supervisors, the revised manual will be submitted to the local Regional Water Board for approval. Read full story
Dry Weather Well Season Opening Early Due to Ongoing Drought Emergency
Due to the declared and prolonged drought emergency in Sonoma County, Permit Sonoma is opening the dry weather season for well yield testing on June 1, 2022. The typical dry weather season runs from July 15 to October 1 of each year. The Director of Permit and Resource Management has the discretion to extend the dry weather season in accordance with Sonoma County Code section 7-12(1)(c). Given the current and prolonged drought conditions, this year’s time frame is extended from June 1, 2022 to October 1, 2022. Read full story
Online Well Construction Application is Now Available!
Permit Sonoma has developed an online well construction permit application, available through Permits Online. The updated permit is similar to the old format application that well drillers are familiar with; however, some new questions have been added. Well construction permit applications must be submitted online and will no longer be accepted by email, effective immediately. Read full story
Governor Executive Order N-7-22 for Well Permits
On March 28, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to address the worsening western drought. The order includes numerous mandates for water conservation, permit streamlining, and modifications to current regulations to address the drought. Of particular significance to Permit Sonoma, the order requires additional review of well permits by local jurisdictions and groundwater sustainability agencies, as specified by paragraph 9 of the order below. Read full story
Operational Permit (OPR) Program Updates
Permit Sonoma has updated Operational Permitapplication requirements. Please view our <a href="/PRMD/Instructions-and-Forms/WLS-047-Operational-Permit-Application-Required-Contents/" title="Operational Permit applicationrequired contents webpage">Operational Permit applicationrequired contents webpage for more details. The new Operational Permitapplication requirements are effective January 1, 2022. Read full story
New Well & SepticDistricts
The Well & Septic Division has re-assigned districts due to staffing changes. View Well & Septic - Environmental Health Districts Map (PDF). This change is effective December 1, 2021. Read full story
Dry Weather Well Testing Closures for 2021
The dry weather well testing season for 2021 is closed as of today: Tuesday, October 26, 2021. Read full story
Well and Septic Drought Related Policy Changes
On April 21, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed an emergency drought for Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. On April 27, 2021, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors also proclaimed a drought emergency for Sonoma County. Read full story