Fire Prevention and Hazardous Materials Division
Fire Prevention and Hazardous Materials is a division of Permit Sonoma primarily responsible for programs, procedures, and projects for preventing the outbreak of fires within the unincorporated areas of the county.
The Hazardous Materials Unit regulates the storage, handling, and processing of hazardous materials through the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) program.
Our goal is to minimize the danger to persons and damage to property caused by fires. In addition to code adherence, the Fire Prevention and Hazardous Materials Division staff is responsible for hazardous materials incident response, fire investigations, and emergency scene management support at emergencies.
Cleanup After Wildfires
For information about Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Sweeps or the Debris Removal process after a recent wildfire? Visit: socoemergency.org/recover.
Defensible Space Inspections
Each May, the Sonoma County Fire Prevention Division, with participation from Local Fire Districts, will implement the Defensible Space Inspection Program. Properties are sent letters by mail to identify properties that will be inspected. For more Information, visit Vegetation Management Services.
Core Service Areas
Vegetation Management Services
The Fire Prevention Division offers grant-funded service programs that can help you with vegetation management. The primary goal is to address defensible space, the area from buildings extending to a radius of 100 feet (or to the property line).
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Permits and Inspections
Permits, inspections and assessments, by Fire Prevention & Hazardous Materials, help keep Sonoma County safe by educating property owners and ensuring compliance with regulations.
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Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant Programs
List of FEMA funded grant programs that Permit Sonoma's Fire Prevention Division is leading. A few notable grant programs listed are the Sonoma County Wildfire Adapted program and the Wildfire Resilient Sonoma County program (known as the BRIC grant).
Related Resources
- Area Fire Districts: If you’re looking for information about your local fire district, who will respond when you dial 911, and provide other services in your area please visit our zoning tool and look up your address.
- Contact Information for Individual Fire Districts
- Department of Emergency Management: Information about mitigation, preparedness, planning, coordination of response, to County emergencies and disasters.
- Sonoma County Wildfire Recovery/Rebuilding: As the County recovers from the unprecedented wildfire disasters in recent years, the County and the City of Santa Rosa are prioritizing help to those who are affected by the rebuilding process. The County and the City of Santa Rosa have similar, but separate, processes for rebuilding. It is important to follow the guidelines set by whichever jurisdiction you live in.
February 13, 2025
CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Map
CAL FIRE has notified local government fire and planning departments about the potential release of the 2025 Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Fire Hazard Severity Maps. While the exact release date is yet to be determined, CAL FIRE issued written notice to agencies in December 2024.
June 18, 2024
Sonoma County announces immediate burn suspension
April 30, 2024
Sonoma County officials urge residents to prepare for wildfire season
April 10, 2024
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