Permit Sonoma publishes draft environmental report for county housing plan update

Permit Sonoma announced today that it has published the draft Environmental Impact Report for the most recent version of Sonoma County General Plan’s Housing Element. The report analyzes the environmental impact of the county’s housing policies and programs and proposed rezoning of up to 59 sites for housing.

The rezoning is intended to address Sonoma County’s 3,881-unit Regional Housing Needs Allocation, a number determined by the state for each local government to meet the housing needs of residents in their community. The number reflects the county’s projected growth over the next eight years.

The draft Environmental Impact Report can be viewed online on the Housing Element Update webpage. This is an opportunity for county residents to examine and comment on the draft Environmental Impact Report during the 45-day public comment period. Written comments may be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 13, 2023. Comments may be sent via email to PermitSonoma-Housing@sonoma-county.org or by regular mail to Permit Sonoma, Attn: Eric Gage, 2550 Ventura Ave., Santa Rosa, California 95403.

A public workshop will be held at the Planning Commission on Feb. 2, 2023. For information on how to join the meeting, visit the Planning Commission meeting webpage.

The County of Sonoma is updating its housing element as required by state law. Every eight years, the County of Sonoma examines all the policies, market conditions, and other forces that affect housing development and develops plans to guide the construction of enough homes for everyone in the community, regardless of income. As part of the statewide Regional Housing Needs Allocation process, the Association of Bay Area Governments has assigned unincorporated Sonoma County an allocation of 3,881 new dwelling units for the next eight-year housing element cycle.

Under California law, the housing element is one of the seven mandated elements of the general plan and must be updated on a set schedule. A housing element, as required by state law, identifies policies and programs that will support the provision of an adequate housing supply for citizens of all income levels.

For questions regarding the draft housing element, please contact Eric Gage at (707) 565-1391 or via email at PermitSonoma-Housing@sonoma-county.org.

### 
Media Contact:
Stuart Tiffen, Communications Specialist
County Administrator’s Office
stuart.tiffen@sonoma-county.org
(707) 565-1860