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Instructions & Forms

PJR-153 Oak Zoning Permit Application Requirements

Permit and Resource Management Department Banner 750

This document provides instructions on the Zoning Permit application requirements for projects subject to the Oak Woodland Ordinance. A Zoning Permit is required for the one-time removal of 0.5 acres or less of native oak trees in an Oak Woodland or 0.5 acres or less of type conversion of an Oak Woodland on parcels zoned OAK.

The onetime 0.5 acre Oak Woodland type conversion on a parcel shall be permitted with a zoning permit. Subsequent Woodland Impact or Type Conversion of Oak Woodlands shall be subject to discretionary review.

Required Materials

Zoning Permits applications for Oak Woodland Type Conversion shall submit the following information electronically:

  1. Applications and Forms:
    1. PJR-001 - Planning Application (PDF), signed by all property owners; and
    2. PJR-011 - Indemnification Agreement (PDF) signed by the applicant
  2. Proposal Statement. Submit a written description clearly describing intent to convert to a permitted use, the approximate number, size, species, age, and condition of trees to be removed, equipment to be used, method of cleanup, and schedule of operations. Indicate if any new roads will be constructed to implement the conversion.
  3. Determination of Oak Woodland Boundaries. The designated Oak Woodland Combining Zone represents the approximate location of Oak Woodlands. Actual Oak Woodland boundaries, or existence thereof, shall be determined by a qualified professional using on the ground observations and based on at least 1.5x the distance between trunk and outer extent of canopy of existing native oak trees. Where Oak Woodland was present as of the 2013 VegMap data but native oak trees are no longer present due to factors such as wildfire, satellite imagery or other remote sensing data shall be used to approximate the historical dripline of trees to determine the area of historically occurring woodlands. The Oak Woodland boundary shall be shown on all site plans, improvement plans, and maps associated with the project.
  4. Site Plan. Site plans must include, at a minimum, the information required on the PJR-129 Site Plan Requirements for Planning Applications. The site plan shall depict the conversion area showing each area of trees to be removed, and which individual trees that will be removed. The site plan shall include property boundaries, existing improvements, watercourses and other natural features.
  5. Biotic Report and Habitat Assessment. A survey must be completed pursuant to survey protocols, to determine if sensitive species are present and if mitigation measures need to be included in development plans.
  6. Archaeological Report. The report must use the survey protocols established by the Sonoma State University Northwest Information Center.
  7. Preliminary Site Grading and Drainage Plan. (Same size and scale as site plan above.) Provide the preliminary site grading and drainage plan. An erosion control plan shall be included with the preliminary grading and drainage plan.

Standards and Requirements

All zoning permit applications shall be required to comply with the standards and requirements for Oak Woodland type conversions in Sonoma County Code 26-67-050.

  1. All Woodland Impact or Type Conversion activities shall be completed within two years of approval of the zoning permit.
  2. No sites of rare, threatened or endangered plants or animals shall be disturbed, threatened or damaged, as determined by a qualified professional. 
  3. The project shall not impact significant historical or archeological sites, as determined by a cultural resources study. If project has potential to impact historical or archaeological sites, as determined by a cultural resources study, avoidance measures shall be recommended and incorporated into project design or project shall be redesigned to avoid impacts. 
  4. No ministerial Oak Woodland conversion shall include the cutting or removal of any native oaks greater than 36” DBH unless a registered professional forester or arborist certifies in writing that the tree poses a serious danger to persons or property.
  5. No conversion activities shall be conducted during the wet weather period or during wet conditions.
  6. No ministerial Oak Woodland conversion shall be conducted without a valid on-site copy of the zoning permit issued for the conversion.