Planning Commission to hear draft winery events ordinance on February 17

The Sonoma County Planning Commission on Thursday, February 17 will consider a draft ordinance that reduces the impacts of winery events in agricultural areas. The draft ordinance would apply to new and modified use permit applications for winery visitor-serving uses in agricultural zoning districts outside of the Coastal Zone.

The wine industry and tourism play an important role in Sonoma County’s culture and economy, however, an overconcentration of winery events can negatively impact surrounding communities. Permit Sonoma is working to balance these interests with new regulations for winery events.

On June 3, 2021, the Planning Commission hosted a public hearing on the draft ordinance and directed staff to return with a new table that compares the draft ordinance with existing Citizen Advisory Council/Commission guidelines for winery visitor-serving uses. 

The draft ordinance, comparison table, and public comments previously submitted to Permit Sonoma are available at Permit Sonoma, 2550 Ventura Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95403 and digitally through the Winery Events website at www.sonomacounty.ca.gov/WineryEvents

The Planning Commission public hearing will be conducted via video conference on February 17 beginning at 1:05 PM. No in-person commenting will be held. Members of the public may watch, listen, and participate in the hearing through Zoom or by phone. In addition, written comments may be submitted by February 16 at 5:00 PM via email at PRMD-WineryEvents@sonoma-county.org

The agenda for the virtual Planning Commission hearing and project staff report will be posted one week prior to the hearing on the Planning Commission calendar. sonomacounty.ca.gov/Planning-Commission/Calendar/Planning-Commission-Meeting-May-20-2021/

For more information about the public hearing, to submit comments, or to review project files digitally, send an email to PRMD-WineryEvents@sonoma-county.org, call (707) 565-1900, option 5, or visit the project website at www.sonomacounty.ca.gov/WineryEvents