Sonoma County prepares for California Building Code updates
Permit Sonoma’s Building Division is preparing for the upcoming changes to the California Building Standards Code, which take effect on January 1, 2026. The 2025 code cycle introduces new statewide requirements that focus on wildfire resilience, clean energy and sustainable construction practices.
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Septic Permitting Process Update
Vesting Certificates requests may now be made directly with assigned Well and Septic staff during the plan review process under an OWTS Construction Application. Customers will no longer be required to submit separate Vesting Certificate applications. Customer requests to convert unexpired Vesting Certificates to an OWTS Construction Permit should be submitted to PermitSonoma-Well-Septic@sonomacounty.gov. Customers will no longer be required to submit separate OWTS Construction Applications to convert a Vesting Certificate to an OWTS Construction Permit.
Elementos de Seguridad y Justicia Medioambiental del Plan General del Condado de Sonoma | 23 de julio sobre los
El Condado actualiza los Elementos de Seguridad y Justicia Medioambiental del Plan General del Condado de Sonoma 2020, y desarrolla un nuevo elemento de justicia ambiental para cumplir con la ley estatal, modernizar las políticas de seguridad y mejorar la salud en las áreas con cargas medioambientales y escasos recursos.
Cannabis Program Update & Environmental Impact Report
Permit Sonoma has released a final draft Cannabis Land Use Ordinance, General Plan Amendment, and other documents. Revisions were made to certain documents published on April 2, 2024 in response to public input received during the public comment period. Comments may continue to be submitted at any time throughout this process, both before and after publication of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
End of Extended COVID Permit Expiration Date
In order to support the difficulties the COVID-19 pandemic brought to the community, Permit Sonoma offered customers a two-year extension above and beyond the regular timelines for various ministerial applications and permits. The conditions attributing to the local emergency no longer exist and the Board of Supervisors is rescinding the local emergency as of May 16, 2023. As such the policy extending the expiration dates will sunset effective May 17, 2023.
Sonoma County Building & Fire Code Updates
The new building and fire codes became effective on January 1, 2023. Permit applications received before December 31, 2022 are not required to meet the new codes, and will instead be reviewed and permitted according to the 2019 codes.
Dry Weather Well Season Opening Early Due to Ongoing Drought Emergency
Due to the declared and prolonged drought emergency in Sonoma County, Permit Sonoma is opening the dry weather season for well yield testing on June 1, 2022. The typical dry weather season runs from July 15 to October 1 of each year. The Director of Permit and Resource Management has the discretion to extend the dry weather season in accordance with Sonoma County Code section 7-12(1)(c). Given the current and prolonged drought conditions, this year’s time frame is extended from June 1, 2022 to October 1, 2022.
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Sonoma County prepares for California Building Code updates
Permit Sonoma’s Building Division is preparing for the upcoming changes to the California Building Standards Code, which take effect on January 1, 2026. The 2025 code cycle introduces new statewide requirements that focus on wildfire resilience, clean energy and sustainable construction practices.
Sonoma County hosts community meeting on Todd Creek flood insurance study
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has opened the 90-day public review period for the County-sponsored Todd Creek revised Flood Insurance Study, which includes maps to determine your flood risk severity and can impact flood insurance requirements. During this federal review window, members of the public can review FEMA’s preliminary mapping and submit technical appeals or comments.
State Court of Appeal grants Sonoma County temporary stay as county appeals well ordinance decision
The Court of Appeal for the First District in California today granted Sonoma County its request for a temporary stay in the Russian Riverkeeper & California Coastkeeper vs. County of Sonoma decision issued by a Superior Court judge last fall while the County pursues an appeal of the decision.
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