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Sonoma County suspends issuing well permits after court order
Permit Sonoma has suspended issuing non-emergency well permits in compliance with a Sonoma County Superior Court order. The order, which was served to the County on Dec. 17, stems from the lawsuit Russian Riverkeeper and California Coastkeeper vs. County of Sonoma. It requires the County to “suspend all non-emergency water well permitting” based on concerns that the County has not complied with the Public Trust Doctrine. Read full story
Sonoma County Local Coastal Plan approved
The California Coastal Commission has certified Sonoma County’s Local Coastal Plan, a foundational planning document that regulates land use and protects resources along the 55-mile shoreline. The unanimous approval on November 14 ensures the County’s permitting authority for development within the Coastal Zone, which extends from between a half mile and five miles from the coast in Sonoma County. Read full story
Burn permits required in Sonoma County
The burn permit suspension in Sonoma County will be lifted on Friday, Nov. 1 at 8 a.m. by CalFire, and permits will be required to burn. Anyone possessing current and valid agriculture and residential burn permits can resume burning on permissible burn days. Burn piles or broadcast burns must be inspected by CalFire, when located in the State Responsibility Area, or your local Fire District in the Local Responsibility, and/or Air Quality District prior to burning until the end of the peak fire season per the Sonoma County Fire Safety Ordinance. Read full story
Sonoma County General Plan update ramps up with new website, Board of Supervisors discussion
Permit Sonoma has launched General Plan Sonoma, the comprehensive update to Sonoma County’s General Plan. The project launch includes an updated website and email newsletter, which will provide project information, event and meeting dates, opportunities for input and online engagement, and milestones reached. The General Plan is a foundational document that outlines community goals and creates a vision for the future by establishing policies that guide land use and development over the next 20-30 years. Robust public input is essential in the General Plan update, and community engagement will kick off in January 2025. Read full story
New study reveals widespread use of septic systems in Sonoma County, identifies opportunities and challenges
The County of Sonoma today unveiled a new study and interactive map of more than 36,000 local parcels with septic systems, highlighting opportunities and challenges relating to wastewater treatment in vast areas of the county that are not currently served by a sewer system. Read full story
County hosting workshop on Conservation Sonoma to improve endangered species protection, streamline permitting
Permit Sonoma is hosting a public workshop to discuss an endangered species habitat conservation plan known as Conservation Sonoma, a multijurisdictional effort to improve endangered species protection and recovery and streamline permitting. Read full story
Technical Advisory Board Announced for OWTS Manual Update
Permit Sonoma is seeking septic design professionals and septic contractors/operators/maintenance providers to participate in future updates to Sonoma County’s Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Regulations and Technical Standards (OWTS Manual). Permit Sonoma will be forming a OWTS Manual Technical Advisory Committee (OWTS Manual TAC). Read full story
New submittal updates for building permits | Effective Oct. 1, 2024
Permit Sonoma is implementing new submittal requirements for building permits that will go into effect on October 1, 2024. The new process will no longer allow deferred submittals for trusses, photovoltaic systems, and fire sprinklers. These items must be submitted along with the customer's building permit application or prior to the issuance of the building permit. Read full story
County halts enforcement of all-electric building code after U.S. District Court ruling
Sonoma County has suspended enforcement of a building code that prohibits natural gas or propane appliances in most new residential construction after a federal court ruled that local ordinances preventing the use of gas appliances are overridden by federal law. Read full story
Public invited to share input on Environmental Justice and Public Safety elements of Sonoma County General Plan
The public is invited to take part in a workshop to be held at the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday concerning two key elements of the General Plan, a foundational planning document that shapes future growth, fosters healthy and resilient communities, guides the protection and management of natural resources, and promotes social and economic equity. Read full story