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Proposed Local Coastal Plan Update

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

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).

California Coastal Commission’s Local Coastal Program Amendment Submittal Requirements:

Adopted Resolution
Local Coastal Plan Board of Supervisors Resolution July 17, 2023 (PDF: 107 MB)
Hearing Dates/Local Notices
Contact us at: PRMD-LCP-Update@sonoma-county.org
Copies of speaker slips, written comments, and adopted minutes
Public Comments and Minutes: Previous Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission Public Hearings (below)
Mailing Lists
Contact us at: PRMD-LCP-Update@sonoma-county.org
Copy of Adopted LCP
The adopted Local Coastal Plan: July 2023 Board of Supervisors Adopted Local Coastal Plan (above)
Local Government Staff Reports
All staff reports for the Local Coastal Plan update: Previous Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission Public Hearings (below)
Supplementary Information
Supplementary information for the Local Coastal Plan: Appendices (above)
Environmental Review Documents
Notice of Exemption filed with the State Clearinghouse on July 21, 2023 (PDF)
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 is currently working on compiling materials requested in the Coastal Commission’s filing letter. Please continue to check the 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.