TranslatePermit Number Format Information
Below is a table listing all the permit/activity types and their numbering formats used by Permit Sonoma past and present. It is intended as a historical listing to assist in research of initialized permits, particularly permits and activities listed for properties in the Permit History Search.
Permit Sonoma processes many types of applications and permits. As of July 1, 1999, the first three characters of the file number indicate Permit Type. A variety of numbering formats were used on historical files which can be found in the Permit Sonoma permitting system.
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Permit Number Formats Explained
Current Permit Number Format: LLLxx-xxxx
An alphanumeric value. The three letter permit type code, then the last two digits of the calendar year the file was created, a hyphen, followed by an ascending numeric value. Used for all files created on and after July 1, 1999.
Example: BLD08-0010
This is a Building permit, created in the calendar year 2008, and is the 10th file of its type for that year.
Disused Permit Number Format: xxxxxx-L or L-xxxxxx
A 6 digit numeric value followed by a single letter permit type code or a single letter permit type code followed by a 6 digit numeric value. They are most often associated with a historical files that predate July 1, 1999. Many historical files were created in systems which did not accommodate current numbering.
Permit Numbers Table
↓↑ Sort Column Alphabetically or Numerically: Select the column title of the column you want to sort.
| Number Format | Permit Type | Description | Currently Used | Department/ Division |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| xxxxxx-B | Historical - Building, Grading and/or Violation | File created in a legacy computer system prior to July 1, 1995. These files can represent a building permit, grading permit and/or allegations of code violation. | No | |
| xxxxxx-M | Historical - Building, Grading and/or Violation | File created in a legacy computer system prior to July 1, 1995. These files can represent a building permit, grading permit and/or allegations of code violation. | No | |
| xxxxxx-S | Historical - Building, Grading and/or Violation | File created in a legacy computer system prior to July 1, 1995. These files can represent a building permit, grading permit and/or allegations of code violation. | No | |
| xxxxxx-G | Historical - Building, Grading and/or Violation | File created in a legacy computer system prior to July 1, 1995. These files can represent a building permit, grading permit and/or allegations of code violation. | No | |
| xx-xxxxx | Historical - Building, Grading and/or Violation | File created in a legacy computer system prior to July 1, 1995. These files can represent a building permit, grading permit and/or allegations of code violation. | No | |
| A-xxxxxx | Historical - Building Permit | Created prior to 1974. | No | Building |
| ACCxx-xxxx | Certificate of Compliance - Administrative | Administrative Certificates of Compliance (ACC) are issued by the County to properties that have been proven to be separate legal parcels. The ACC only gives the owner the right to sell, lease or finance the parcel separately from other contiguous parcels held by the same owner. | Yes | Engineering |
| ACOxx-xxxx | Erosion Control | Tracks Vineyard/Orchard planting/replanting applications processed by the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner. | Yes | Agricultural Commissioner |
| ADAxx-xxxx | Administrative Appeal of Zoning Interpretation | Tracks an appeal of any decision or determination made by planning staff. | No | Planning |
| ADDxx-xxxx | Addressing | Address or road name assignment. | Yes | Customer Service |
| ADRxx-xxxx | Design Review - Administrative | Administrative Design Review for proposed structures in designated scenic areas and new uses to minimize their visual impacts. | Yes | Planning |
| AEXxx-xxxx | Agricultural Exemption | Building permit exemption for a structure designated for agricultural uses only. Created on or after July 5, 1995. | Yes | Building |
| AFMxx-xxxx | Agricultural Frost Management | Tracks Agricultural Frost Management applications processed by the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner. | Yes | Agricultural Commissioner |
| AGPxx-xxxx | Agricultural Preserve (Williamson Act) | County and owners of agricultural and open space land voluntarily enter into agreements that restrict the owner’s use of the land to agriculture. Establishes and tracks Williamson Act Contracts. These contracts legally restrict the use of the land to an agricultural use for a minimum of 10 years. | Yes | Planning |
| ANNEX-xxxx | Historical Annexation | Tracks the annexation of a parcel into the jurisdiction of an incorporated city. | No | |
| ANXxx-xxxx | Annexation | Tracks the annexation of a parcel into the jurisdiction of an incorporated city. | Yes | |
| B-xxxxxx | Historical - Building, Grading or Demolition Permit | Created prior to July 1, 1999. | No | Building |
| BLDxx-xxxx | Building Permit | A building permit is an official approval to proceed with a construction project. Unless otherwise exempt, a building permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the building code, or to cause any such work to be performed. Created on or after July 1, 1999. | Yes | Building |
| BLDxx-xxxx | Solar Photovoltaic Residential Rooftop | Residential rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) projects 10 kW in size or smaller. | Yes | Building |
| BLDxx-xxxx | Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems |
Solar photovoltaic (PV) projects:
|
Yes | Building |
| BLDxx-xxxx | Solar Thermal Systems |
Solar thermal projects:
|
Yes | Building |
| BSRxx-xxxx | Site Evaluation | Building Site Evaluations include:
|
Yes | Building or Septic |
| CCCxx-xxxx | Certificate of Compliance - Conditional | Allows a person to apply for a determination as to whether a division of land complied with State and Local laws in effect at the time of the division. | Yes | Planning |
| CMOxx-xxxx | Certificate of Modification | Modifications can be made to recorded a parcel map (Minor Subdivision) or a final map (Major Subdivision) through the Certificate of Modification procedure. Typical modifications to recorded maps include changes to agency notes upon the maps, relocation or removal of easements, and relocation or enlargement of building envelopes. | Yes | Planning |
| CORxx-xxxx | Corner Record | A corner record is a legal document filed with the County by a licensed land surveyor to document surveyed lines and monumentation. Is it a survey made to establish or reestablish a corner or other related survey control. The COR number was created on January 1, 2023 to replace the SUR number for corner records. |
Yes | Engineering |
| CPHxx-xxxx | Coastal Permit - With Hearing | Coastal permits are required for development on parcels located within the Coastal Zone. Coastal permits are processed either administratively without a hearing, or with a public hearing, typically by the Board of Zoning Adjustments. | Yes | Planning |
| CPNxx-xxxx | Coastal Permit - No Hearing | Coastal permits are required for development on parcels located within the Coastal Zone. Coastal permits are processed either administratively without a hearing, or with a public hearing, typically by the Board of Zoning Adjustments. | Yes | Planning |
| D-xxxxxx | Historical - Building Permit Exemption | Building permit exemption created prior to July 5, 1995 for a structure designated for agricultural uses only. | No | Building |
| DEMxx-xxxx | Demolition Permit | A demolition permit is required to demolish a building or structure in whole or in part. Some demolition permits may be included within a building permit application, especially for portions of structures. Created on or after July 1, 1999. | Yes | Building |
| DRHxx-xxxx | Design Review - With Hearing | The Design Review Committee (DRC) reviews and approves the design of significant new development projects, such as new commercial development. | Yes | Planning |
| DRNxx-xxxx | Drainage Permit | A drainage permit is required prior to commencing any drainage improvement or related work, including preparatory site clearing and soil disturbance, except where exempted from permit requirements in Sonoma County Code section 11.06.010. Created on or after July 1, 2004. | Yes | Engineering |
| DUAxx-xxxx | Planning - Dwelling Unit Allotment | Tracks the number of single family dwellings in the Sebastopol and Sonoma Valley planning areas. | No | Planning |
| E-xxxxxx | Historical - Electrical Permit | Created prior to 1982. | No | Building |
| ENCxx-xxxx | Encroachment | Work within the County maintained road or right-of-way, such as upgrading or paving a driveway, installing utilities, drainage, landscaping and mailbox structures, requires an encroachment permit. | Yes | Engineering |
| ENPxx-xxxx | Engineering Project | Tracks multiple engineering permits or activities related to a project. | Yes | Engineering |
| ESRxx-xxxx | Engineering Site Review | Field or Office site evaluation related to Engineering permits or activities. | Yes | Engineering |
| EVTxx-xxxx | Rapid Evaluation Safety Assessment | Tracks information about a structure which has been affected by flood, wildfire, or other storm or natural disaster damage. Created on or after January 18, 2017 to replace FLD. |
Yes | Building |
| FIRxx-xxxx | Fire Construction Permit | Yes | Fire Prevention | |
| FSRxx-xxxx | Fire Site Review | Fire Site reviews are conducted before construction or a permit is applied and also used to apply for a exception to standards to a submitted project. Many times a applicant or property owner would like to have a discussion about future development and this is a way to reserve and start the process with requesting service from the Fire Marshal. | Yes | Fire Prevention |
| FLD-xxxxxx | Rapid Evaluation Safety Assessment | Tracks information about a structure which has been affected by a flood or other storm or natural disaster damage. Created prior to January 18, 2017. Replaced by EVT. |
No | Building |
| GPAxx-xxxx | General Plan - Amendment | In order to amend a General Plan land use policy, designation or density on a parcel, an application must be made for a General Plan amendment. | Yes | Planning |
| GRDxx-xxxx | Grading | Grading is the removal or deposition of earth material by artificial means. Common examples of grading include, but are not limited to, construction of driveways, building pads, site improvements or reservoirs, and restoration/stabilization of hillsides, slopes or stream banks. Created on or after July 1, 1999. | Yes | Engineering |
| GYWxx-xxxx | Non-Potable Systems - Gray Water | Graywater is wastewater collected from showers, bathtubs, bathroom sinks, and clothes washing machines. Graywater does not include water from toilets, kitchen sinks, or dishwashers. | Yes | Well and Septic |
| I-xxxxxx | Historical - Trailer or Mobile Home Permit | Created prior to July 5, 1995. | No | Building |
| ICCxx-xxxx | Historical - In-Channel Construction Permit | Required when a waterway was disturbed by construction activity (in compliance with Ordinance 1108). | No | Engineering |
| IMPxx-xxxx | Improvement Plans | Improvement plans are needed as part of the review process for subdivisions or grading improvements. They are also needed for non-subdivision improvements in the right of way. The IMP number was created on January 1, 2023 to replace the SUR number for improvement plans. |
Yes | Engineering |
| LCCxx-xxxx | Land Conservation Contract - Establishment, Replacement, NonRenewal | The California Land Conservation Act allows the County and owners of agricultural and open space land to voluntarily enter into agreements that restrict the owner’s use of the land to agricultural and/or open space uses and uses compatible with those agricultural and/or open space uses, in exchange for a reduction in property tax assessment. | Yes | Planning |
| LICxx-xxxx | Vacation Rental License | A Vacation Rental License is required to operate a vacation rental. A Vacation Rental License lasts for one year and an operator must apply to renew their license annually to continue to run a vacation rental. The LIC number was created on June 15, 2023. |
Yes | Planning |
| LIDxx-xxxx | Low Impact Development | Permit to monitor and inspect post-construction storm water best management practices. | Yes | Engineering |
| LLAxx-xxxx | Lot Line Adjustment | A Lot Line Adjustment (LLA) is a realignment of boundary lines between two to four existing legal parcels (per Section 66412 of the Subdivision Map Act), where the land taken from one parcel is added to an adjacent parcel. This process is undertaken when the owner(s) of adjacent lots or parcels desire to change the shape, size, and/or location of the parcels. | Yes | Planning |
| MJSxx-xxxx | Subdivision - Major | A major subdivision is a division of land into five or more parcels. Major subdivisions are governed by the Subdivision Map Act, the Sonoma County Subdivision Ordinance, the Sonoma County Zoning Code and the Sonoma County General Plan. | Yes | Planning |
| MNSxx-xxxx | Subdivision - Minor | A minor subdivision is a division of land into four or fewer parcels. Minor subdivisions are governed by the Subdivision Map Act, the Sonoma County Subdivision Ordinance, the Sonoma County Zoning Code and the Sonoma County General Plan. Minor subdivision application are also known as tentative parcel maps. | Yes | Planning |
| MSCxx-xxxx | Miscellaneous Sales / Fees | Used for map sales, copy charges and minor requests when no other file type is applicable. | No | |
| OPRxx-xxxx | Operational Permit | Permit required for operation of non-standard Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS). | Yes | Well and Septic |
| ORD-xxxx | Ordinance - Board of Supervisors | Tracks the map associated with a zoning district change approved by the Board of Supervisors. | No | Planning |
| ORDxx-xxxx | Ordinance Determination and Appeals of Staff Decisions | Ordinance - Board of Supervisors Tracks the map associated with a zoning district change approved by the Board of Supervisors. Tracks requests for waiver of covered parking requirements and complex determinations on legal non-conforming status of buildings or uses. |
Yes | Planning |
| P-xxxxxx | Historical - Plumbing Permit | Created prior to 1980. | No | Building |
| PLPxx-xxxx | Planning - Concurrent Processing Project | Tracks multiple planning files on the same parcel which are being processed. | Yes | Planning |
| PRExx-xxxx | Pre-Application Meeting | Tracks pre-application meetings. | Yes | |
| PMRxx-xxxx | Property Manager Certification | A property manager who is certified by Permit Sonoma is required for all vacation rentals. | Yes | Planning |
| PXxxxxxx | Historical - Building Plan Check | Created prior to July 5, 1995. | No | Building |
| R/S xx-xxx | Record of Survey | Tracks the plan check of a Record of Survey created by a licensed land | No | Engineering |
| RNCxx-xxxx | Address / Road Name Assignment | Tracks an address change or road name assignment process. | Yes | |
| ROIxx-xxxx | Roiling | Required when a natural waterway will be disturbed by construction activity. | Yes | Engineering |
| ROSxx-xxxx | Record of Survey | A Record of Survey is an official map that is reviewed by the surveyor. This map represents a survey made on the round and delineates deed described lines, or lines related to survey control. | Yes | Engineering |
| RWVxx-xxxx | Right of Way Vacation | A permit to request approval to vacate a portion of public right-of-way. | Yes | Engineering |
| S-xxxxxx | Historical - Septic System Permit | Created prior to July 5, 1995. | No | Well and Septic |
| SB-547-xxx | Unreinforced Masonry Structure | Tracks information about unreinforced masonry structure in accordance with Senate Bill 547. | Yes | Building |
| SEPxx-xxxx | Septic | In areas where public sewer is not available, homeowners must have septic systems installed on their property that will treat wastewater coming from their home. Tracks the plan check and construction of a septic system. This type of file can also refer to the evaluation of an existing septic system. | Yes | Well and Septic |
| SEVxx-xxxx | Site Evaluation / Flood Zone Determination | Used for a building or septic permit site evaluation or a flood zone. | No | Building or Septic |
| SEWxx-xxxx | Sewer - Construction; Engineering, Sewer, Construction, Sewer | A sanitary sewer inspection permit is required for any sewer work performed, including but not limited to, connection to a house, a commercial building, or apartments. The work must be inspected and approved before occupancy, and/or use of the sewer is allowed. Permits are also issued for construction of sewer facilities and annexation into sanitation Districts or Zones, or Outside Service Area Agreements for sewer service with sanitation Districts or Zones. | Yes | Engineering |
| SOIL-xxxxx | Geotechnical/Soils Investigation | California Building Code outlines specific instances of when a geotechnical/soils report is required based on soil conditions and construction methods. | Yes | Building |
| SPAxx-xxxx | Specific Plan - Amendment | In order to amend a specific plan's land use policy, designation or density on a parcel, an application must be made for a Specific Plan amendment. | Yes | Planning |
| SPExx-xxxx | Special Event | Special Events that are expected to cause road closures in unincorporated Sonoma County require an encroachment permit. Allows a public event to be held in a public right of way. | Yes | Engineering |
| SRWP-xxxxx | Santa Rosa Wastewater Pipeline | Project file used to track Geotechnical Exploration Wells | No | |
| STKxx-xxxx | Stock Plan | Stock plan permit for swimming pools, water tanks, accessory structures. | Yes | Building |
| SURxx-xxxx | Surveyor / Land Development | Tracks various survey or land development activities such as subdivision maps and right-of-way vacations. Also includes improvement plans and corner records initialized before January 1, 2023. | Yes | Engineering |
| T-xxxxxx | Historical - Temporary Utility/Occupancy Permit | Created prior to July 1, 1999. | No | Building |
| TEMxx-xxxx | Temporary Occupancy, Temporary Structures, Temporary Utilities |
Occupancy: Occupancy of a permitted structure under construction prior to permit final. |
Yes | Building |
| THRxx-xxxx | Transient Rentals - Hosted Rental | Hosted rentals are the rental of a single room or sleeping area within a single-family dwelling, where the property owner remains in residence. Created on or after September 1, 2017. Hosted rentals previous to September 1, 2017 are under the ZPE category. | Yes | Planning |
| TRNxx-xxxx | Transportation | A transportation permit is required anytime a vehicle and/or load exceeds the California Vehicle Code legal dimensions on roads in unincorporated Sonoma County. | Yes | Engineering |
| TVRxx-xxxx | Transient Rentals - Vacation Rental | Vacation rentals are the rental of a private residence for periods of 30 days or less. Created on or after September 1, 2017. Vacation rentals previous to September 1, 2017 are under the ZPE category. | Yes | Planning |
| UPCxx-xxxx | Cannabis - Use Permit | Permits for cannabis cultivation, dispensaries, distribution & transportation, manufacturing, nurseries, and testing labs. Created on or after September 1, 2017. | Yes | Planning |
| UPExx-xxxx | Use Permit | A Use Permit application is required for development projects that are typically more intensive than Permitted Uses. These also include Minor Live/Work and Small-Scale Agricultural Processing. | Yes | Planning |
| V-xxxxx | Historical - Code Enforcement Violation / Complaint | Tracks an allegation of a code violation. | No | Code Enforcement |
| VARxx-xxxx | Variance | A variance may be granted to provide relief from specific numerical standards in the zoning code such as setback requirements from property lines. Variances cannot be granted for relief from “use” provisions in the zoning code. If a proposed use is not permitted in a given zoning district, a variance cannot be granted to allow it. | Yes | Planning |
| VBUxx-xxxx | Code Enforcement Violation - Building | Tracks an allegation of building or housing code violation(s). | Yes | Code Enforcement |
| VESxx-xxxx | Septic - Vesting Certificate | A transferable certificate providing a right to construct a septic system for an approved site, designated system type, and stated capacity for a limited period of time. | Yes | Well and Septic |
| VGRxx-xxxx | Code Enforcement Violation - Grading | Tracks an allegation of grading code violation(s). | Yes | Code Enforcement |
| VMxx-xxxx | Historic Voluntary Merger | Tracks requests to eliminate property lines between parcels under the same ownership. | No | Planning |
| VMGxx-xxxx | Voluntary Merger | Requests to eliminate property lines between parcels under the same ownership | Yes | Planning |
| VPLxx-xxxx | Code Enforcement Violation - Planning / Zoning | Tracks an allegation of planning/zoning code violation(s). | Yes | Code Enforcement |
| VWSxx-xxxx | Code Enforcement Violation - Well and/or Septic | Tracks an allegation of a failed septic system or contaminated well. | Yes | Code Enforcement |
| WATxx-xxxx | Water Permit | Water System Permit Tracks the plan check and/or construction inspections(s) of a water system that serves two or more parcels. |
Yes | Engineering |
| WELxx-xxxx | Water Well | Well permits are required to drill, abandon, or deepen wells and can only be issued to C-57 Well Drilling Contractors. Also for pump test permit. | Yes | Well and Septic |
| WP J-xx | Santa Rosa Wastewater Pipeline | Tracks geotechnical borings related to the Geysers Pipeline project. | No | |
| WP L-xx | Santa Rosa Wastewater Pipeline | Tracks geotechnical borings related to the Geysers Pipeline project. | No | |
| WP MB-xx | Santa Rosa Wastewater Pipeline | Tracks geotechnical borings related to the Geysers Pipeline project. | No | |
| WB MC-xx | Santa Rosa Wastewater Pipeline | Tracks geotechnical borings related to the Geysers Pipeline project. | No | |
| WP MNB-xxx | Santa Rosa Wastewater Pipeline | Tracks geotechnical borings related to the Geysers Pipeline project. | No | |
| WP NB-xx | Santa Rosa Wastewater Pipeline | Tracks geotechnical borings related to the Geysers Pipeline project. | No | |
| WP SB-xx | Santa Rosa Wastewater Pipeline | Tracks geotechnical borings related to the Geysers Pipeline project. | No | |
| WP SC-x | Santa Rosa Wastewater Pipeline | Tracks geotechnical borings related to the Geysers Pipeline project. | No | |
| WSRxx-xxxx | Well & Septic Site Review | Field or Office site evaluation related to Well & Septic permits or activities. | Yes | Well and Septic |
| WVAxx-xxxx | Septic Variance – Administrative | Administrative variance from septic standards. | Yes | Well and Septic |
| WVBxx-xxxx | Septic Variance – Formal | Formal variance from septic standards. | Yes | Well and Septic |
| ZCExx-xxxx | Zone Change - Amendment | A Zone Change can be proposed to change from one zoning district to another, to change the zoning density on a property, to remove a combining district , or to amend the text of the Sonoma County Zoning Code. | Yes | Planning |
| ZPCxx-xxxx | Cannabis - Zoning Permit | Permits for cannabis cultivation. Created on or after September 1, 2017. | Yes | Planning |
| ZPExx-xxxx | Zoning Permit |
Planning permits such as zoning permits may be required prior to the issuance of a building permit. Zoning clearances are required for building permits issued for new buildings, structures, or additions to existing buildings or structures. There may be additional setback requirements for a building depending upon the location near a scenic roadway or waterway. Additional review, such as administrative design review, may be required prior to the issuance of a building permit. Permits include but are not limited to the following:
|
Yes | Planning |
Glossary of Table Header Terms
- Number Format
- Past and current numbering formats for permits or records.
- Permit Type
- The type of permit, record, or activity.
- Description
- An explanation of the Permit Type that describes the type of project for which a permit or record was/is created.
- Currently Used
- Denotes whether or not a numbering format is currently used on new permits and records. "No" is a historical record.
- Department/Division
- The Permit Sonoma division responsible for creating the permit or record type listed. The Agricultural Commissioner, which is a department separate from Permit Sonoma, also creates permit/record types.