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Board of Supervisors strengthens penalties for illegal cannabis, establishes grace period for zoning violations by permitted operators
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted today to align civil penalties for unpermitted cannabis operations in unincorporated Sonoma County with state law, including a penalty of $1,000 per violation, separate violations for each plant above the personal cultivation limit, and escalated penalties for violations on multiple properties. The Board also approved a correction period of three calendar days to provide licensed and license-exempt cultivators, such as patients and caregivers, an opportunity to remedy zoning violations before civil penalties are imposed. Read full story
Sonoma County officials urge residents to prepare for wildfire season
As spring rain showers wind down, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is reminding residents that it’s not too early to start getting ready for the threat of wildfires. The supervisors today declared the month of May as Wildfire Awareness Month and stressed that fire prevention measures would be the focus of public education during the month. Read full story
Sonoma County Supervisors approve updated tree ordinance
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an expanded version of the county’s tree protection ordinance, which will preserve more of the county’s trees and help to combat climate change given that woodlands pull carbon from the atmosphere. Read full story
Sonoma County seeks public input on proposed update to Cannabis Ordinance
A 30-day public review and comment period on a proposed update to Sonoma County’s cannabis ordinance begins today. County officials are seeking feedback on proposed policy changes that emphasize neighborhood compatibility and environmental stewardship before the project moves forward to the environmental impact report process. Read full story
Sonoma County opens Chipper program early to reduce wildfire risk
Sonoma County’s free Residential Curbside Chipper Program is launching early this year in an effort to reduce residential wait times, expand service, and mitigate the risk of wildfires. Read full story
Center for Climate Action and Innovation at Sonoma Developmental Center business plan released
The creation of a Center for Climate Action that could serve as a hub for climate leaders, innovators and the public to collaborate in addressing the climate crisis, is the focus of a business plan released by the County of Sonoma today for the Sonoma Developmental Center site. Read full story
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors extend temporary ban on tree removals
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today extended a temporary moratorium on removing protected trees for another four months. The urgency ordinance is needed while Permit Sonoma continues work on an updated Tree Protection Ordinance. The board on December 12 directed staff to make changes to the Tree Ordinance and adopted the 45-day moratorium as a placeholder. Today’s vote extends the moratorium until May 31. Read full story
Sonoma County kicks off General Plan update
Sonoma County today kicked off its General Plan update, a yearslong process to update the foundational planning document that shapes future growth, encourages housing and job development, fosters healthy and resilient communities, guides the protection and management of natural resources, and promotes social and economic equity. Read full story
Permit Sonoma to host cannabis ordinance update information meetings December 13
Permit Sonoma will host two Comprehensive Cannabis Program Update meetings on December 13 to update the public on key program elements and the mapping of residential enclaves in an effort to improve compatibility between cannabis land uses and the neighborhoods they are located within or near. Read full story
Sonoma County Housing Element certified by California Department of Housing and Urban Development
The County of Sonoma’s Housing Element has been certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, signifying the County’s compliance with State Housing Element law. Certification makes the County eligible for considerable grants and state funding opportunities to support affordable housing. Sonoma County and its nine cities are the first subregion in the Bay Area to be fully certified. Read full story