Latest News | February 2026

Latest News | April 2026

Spring is a busy season across Sonoma County, and we're sharing a few important updates to help residents, property owners, businesses and community members stay informed. From new permit options and planning efforts to safety reminders and community programs, these updates are designed to make processes clearer and services more accessible

Special Event Permits Made Easier

Planning a festival, fundraiser, or community gathering in unincorporated Sonoma County is now more straightforward! The County has updated its zoning code to make event planning easier for organizers while maintaining standards that protect public safety and neighborhood quality of life. The updated ordinance formalizes existing County practices for periodic special events, while introducing a few new standards to improve clarity and consistency. *The updated ordinance takes effect June 9*.

Periodic special events will generally be capped at 2,500 attendees, though events spanning both private property and public right-of-way are exempt from that limit. Events held 30 or more days apart will require separate permits. Periodic special events may occur up to four times within a two-year period. Neighbors will continue to receive courtesy notices after permits are issued.Following the approved updates, is a new, consolidated permit process for most special events, reducing complexity and helping organizers better understand requirements early in planning. While some activities, such as food service or temporary structures, may still require additional approvals, the overall process is now more coordinated and easier to navigate.

More info: Special Events Permits

Public Input: Septic Manual (OWTS)

Permit Sonoma has released an updated Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) Manual (Version 9.0) for public review. This update reflects revisions made in coordination with the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board as part of the County's Local Area Management Program (LAMP). The updated manual incorporates technical feedback and clarifies local septic system standards to ensure consistency with State requirements while continuing to protect groundwater quality and public health. A *30-day public review period is now open and comments are due by May 15, 2026. *Community members are encouraged to review the materials and provide input before the manual is finalized and considered for adoption.

More info:

• Review Materials
• Submit Comments

Introducing Self-Certification for Grading

Permit Sonoma has launched a *Grading Self-Certification Program* to help streamline permitting for qualifying projects. Through this program, approved professionals can certify certain grading work, allowing for faster review timelines while maintaining safety and compliance standards. This approach helps reduce delays for straightforward projects while still ensuring that environmental and engineering requirements are met.Applicants considering grading work are encouraged to explore whether their project qualifies, as this option can significantly improve timelines and predictability.

More Info: Self-Certification for Grading Projects

General Plan Sonoma: Engaging the Future

Work on *General Plan Sonoma* continues! The General plan shapes how Sonoma County grows, protects natural resources, and supports its communities over the coming decades. We recently presented revisions to the Draft Vision and Guiding Principles, a Community Engagement Framework, and a progress update on where we are in the process at a March Planning Agency workshop and received additional input from community members and decision-makers. Further refinements have been made to the Draft Vision and Guiding principles based on that feedback.

The workshop to cover the same items with the Board of Supervisors has been rescheduled to June 2, 2026, providing another opportunity for the public to review materials and share input before this foundational work is finalized. Work is still underway on an Existing Conditions and Trends report, expected to be published Summer 2026. An Existing Conditions and Trends report is in progress and expected Summer 2026. Community participation will continue to be a key part of the update process with broader community engagement anticipated to ramp up in fall 2026.

More info: General Plan Website

Code Enforcement In Action

Code Enforcement addresses issues that are, at their core, safety concerns. Conditions like illegal dumping, debris accumulation, and unpermitted or unsafe structures are not just code violations-they can impact water quality, increase fire risk, create hazards, and affect the health of nearby communities.

A recent cleanup effort along a local waterway is a clear example. What may have appeared to be a long-standing nuisance was actually a combination of environmental and safety risks. By removing debris and restoring the site, those risks were reduced and the area made safer for both people and the environment.

This is the role of Code Enforcement: identifying and resolving conditions that pose real safety risks, and helping protect the well-being of the community.

Sustainable Groundwater Agency Advisory Committee

The Petaluma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency is a public agency whose purpose is to secure groundwater sustainability for the Petaluma Valley groundwater subbasin. The Agency has a governing board and an Advisory Committee. The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to provide input and recommendations to the Agency board on groundwater sustainability plan development, implementation and policies.
Advisory committee members must:

• live or work within the Petaluma Valley GSA boundary OR
• represent an organization with a presence in the Petaluma Valley Groundwater Basin identified by the Department of Water Resources current Bulletin 118.

If you are interested, please email to receive a copy of the Advisory Committee Application Form. Visit the Petaluma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency's website for more info about the organization. Applications are due by *May 1, 2026.*

New Fence Regulations & Resources

The County has adopted updated fence regulations that provide easier and more consistent permitting pathways. The new standards clarify where fences can be placed and what they can be constructed out of, how height is measured, and when permits or additional review are required. These updates are intended to reduce confusion and improve safety, particularly around visibility at driveways and roadways. They also help ensure fences are compatible with surrounding properties and neighborhoods. If you are planning a fence project, we encourage you to review the updated requirements early in your planning process.

More info: Fence Guidelines Update

May is Wildfire Preparedness Month

Residents in the Larkfield-Wikiup-Mark West and Lower Russian River/Guerneville areas can now sign up for *no-cost wildfire risk assessments*, which provide personalized recommendations for defensible space and home hardening. As we head into Wildfire Preparedness Month in May, it's a good time for all residents to take steps to reduce wildfire risk. Even if you are not in a current project area, creating defensible space, maintaining your property, and preparing your home can make a meaningful difference. Wildfire risk is a shared responsibility, and small actions provide real protection for you, your home, your neighbors, and your community.

Here are small actions you can take today:

• Mow early and often
• Clear your gutters
• Tighten up vents with at least 1/8 inch screens
• Clear the first 5 feet around your home (Zone Zero)
• Consider joining a FireWise Community

More info: Fire Prevention and Haz Mat Info