Latest News | June 2026

Department Updates | June 2026

As summer arrives in Sonoma County, Permit Sonoma's customer service is heating up! In this edition, you'll find information about our new online septic plan review, seasonal burn restrictions, housing resources, inspection scheduling updates, revised flood maps for the Todd Creek watershed, and more.

Now Online: Septic Design & Construction Plan Review

Permit Sonoma has expanded the Digital Plan Review (DPR) system to include Septic Construction Applications and Septic Design Applications. Applicants can now submit plans, receive comments, and upload revisions online, creating a more streamlined review process.

Learn more about Digital Plan Review and find additional resources.

Wildfire Risk Reduction: Burn Ban, Chipper Program, & Home Hardening Assessments

In coordination with CAL FIRE, Permit Sonoma's Fire Prevention Division suspended outdoor burning in the unincorporated county beginning June 15, 2026. The suspension applies to all open burning and helps reduce wildfire risk as Sonoma County enters the peak of fire season.

Reducing wildfire risk starts at home. Residents are encouraged to maintain defensible space, remove excess vegetation, and follow local fire safety regulations throughout the summer. Sonoma County's free Chipper Program can help property owners dispose of woody vegetation and reduce hazardous fuels at no cost. The program provides a convenient way to clear brush and maintain defensible space while helping protect homes and communities. And, if you live in the Guerneville area, you may also qualify for no-cost wildfire risk reduction assessments through SoCo Adapts. These assessments can help identify practical steps to improve your property's resilience to wildfire.

Learn more about the burn suspension | Chipper Program information | SoCo Adapts assessments | Fire Prevention & HazMat Division | Ready for Wildfire

Plan Ahead for Building Inspections

Due to a high volume of inspection requests and current staffing levels, inspection scheduling times are running longer than normal. We are currently scheduling about five days out rather than our typical next-day availability. Applicants and contractors are encouraged to plan ahead when scheduling inspections to help avoid project delays.

Visit the Building Division website or contact the Building Inspection Division at (707) 565-1679.

Todd Creek Study Complete

In early 2023, Permit Sonoma hired R&F Engineering to conduct a revised flood study for the Todd Creek watershed in response to documented inaccuracies in FEMA's 2022 release of flood maps for the watershed.

The County of Sonoma then submitted the revised flood study to FEMA for consideration. After several review iterations, public noticing, and processing pursuant to federal regulations, FEMA approved the County-sponsored Flood Insurance Study and issued revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps for the Todd Creek watershed.

FEMA's final letter of determination is dated April 20, 2026, while the new maps officially became effective on February 13, 2026.

Learn more about the Todd Creek Study.

Annual Housing Newsletter

As part of the County's Housing Element implementation, Permit Sonoma recently distributed the 2026 Housing Newsletter, featuring information on housing policies, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), affordable housing programs, funding opportunities, developer incentives, and other housing initiatives throughout Sonoma County.

Whether you're a homeowner, developer, housing provider, or community member, the newsletter offers information about housing efforts across the county.

Read the 2026 Housing Newsletter and past updates.

General Plan Sonoma

Work continues on General Plan Sonoma, the comprehensive update to Sonoma County's General Plan. An informational Board of Supervisors workshop is scheduled for September 15, 2026, and will include the Draft Community Engagement Framework, Draft Vision and Guiding Principles, and the Existing Conditions and Trends Report.

Community workshops and engagement opportunities will resume this fall as staff seeks public input on these documents and project next steps.

Learn more about General Plan Sonoma.

Reminder: C&D Waste Recycling Process

Properly recycling construction, demolition, and green waste benefits both the environment and our community. Applicants recycling green waste as part of a construction or demolition project are reminded to use Form BPC-017 to document material diversion and recycling activities.

Using the correct form helps ensure compliance with County construction and demolition debris requirements and helps keep projects moving smoothly.

Learn more about C&D Waste Tracking requirements.

Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Policy Update

This month, the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board approved the County of Sonoma's Local Agency Management Program (LAMP) for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS).

The State OWTS Policy requires local jurisdictions to apply with the Regional Water Quality Control Board to regulate OWTS within their jurisdiction. The County of Sonoma submitted a LAMP in December 2025, followed by a revision in March 2026. The Regional Water Board held a hearing and approved the County's LAMP on June 16, 2026.

View the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Manual.