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Local Coastal Plan Update

Project Updates

July 17, 2023: The Board of Supervisors adopted a comprehensive update to the Local Coastal Plan (LCP) for Sonoma County. On November 14, 2024, the California Coastal Commission voted unanimously to conditionally certify the Board adopted LCP, subject to modifications recommended by Coastal Commission staff. These modifications were developed in partnership with Permit Sonoma staff and include policy refinements related to coastal hazards, sensitive habitats, environmental justice, cultural and tribal cultural resources, agricultural operations, and lower-cost overnight accommodations.

February 4, 2025: The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the Local Coastal Plan as certified by the Coastal Commission. The Local Coastal Plan is now in effect, consistent with Section 30512 of the Coastal Act.

Purpose

The State requires Sonoma County to develop a Local Coastal Plan (LCP) to regulate land use, protect coastal resources, and guide coastal development. In response to changing conditions over the last several decades, the LCP update addresses the following:

Adapt land use planning to accommodate challenges created by climate change, including sea-level rise;
Safeguard and improve public access to the ocean;
Protect water resources;
Preserve aquatic and inland coastal ecosystems;
Preserve and protect agriculture;
Mitigate impacts from natural hazards and improve wildfire resiliency.

Documents

Implementation

The Local Coastal Plan will be implemented by amending the Coastal Zoning Ordinance and the Coastal Administration Manual, consistent with goals, objectives, policies, programs, and initiatives contained in the updated Local Coastal Plan. These documents are part of the Sonoma County Local Coastal Program and subject to the same public review, hearings, and certification process as the Local Coastal Plan. At each step of developing these amendments, there will be opportunities for public input and recommendations.

Prior Meetings

Previous Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission Public Hearings

November 10, 2021: Noise, Vibration, and Light Policy, Public Safety Element, Public Facilities & Service Element.
December 9, 2021: Circulation and Transit Element, Water Resources Element, Agricultural Resources Element.
January 13, 2022: Cultural & Historic Resources Element, Land Use Element (partial)
February 3, 2022: Land Use Element, Open Space & Resource Conservation Element (partial)
March 3, 2022: Open Space & Resource Conservation Element (complete), Public Access Element.
March 28, 2022: Initial review of Local Coastal Plan incorporating Planning Commission changes
June 29, 2022: Continue Review and Recommendation to the Board of Supervisors
August 30, 2022: The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors held a public workshop to provide an update on the Local Coastal Plan as recommended by the Planning Commission.
October 4, 2022: The Board of Supervisors held a hearing on the LCP and asked staff to make additional recommendations before the item was returned to the Board.
April 4, 2023: The Board of Supervisors held a hearing on the LCP and asked staff to make additional recommendations before the item was returned to the Board.
July 17, 2023: The Board of Supervisors on July 17th, 2023, voted unanimously to adopt the Local Coastal Plan and directed Permit Sonoma to transmit the plan to the California Coastal Commission.
February 4, 2025: The Board of Supervisors approved the Local Coastal Plan as conditionally certified by the California Coastal Commission.