Exceptions to Standards

When development proposals cannot meet all technical requirements, the County will continue to review all aspects of a project, including existing offsite roads, when evaluating requests for exceptions to standards to ensure there are adequate fire safety measures in place that provide the same practical effect toward providing defensible space and fire safety.

• Review Exception to Standards Informational Handout and Application.
• Identify the Environmental Impact.
• Note which sections are being requested for exception.
• Include an explanation why the standard cannot be done.
• Include the Exception Proposal.
• If needed, call (707) 565-2361 or email fireprevention@sonoma-county.org to discuss request and ask questions before Online Application Submission.
• Submit a Site Map along with the Online Application Submission.
• Open a Fire Site/Safety Review (FSR) record for tracking.

Online Application Submittal Received Complete and with Correct Documents.
          • Submitted by Applicant
First Review
          • County Fire Prevention schedules a site visit with the project’s Local Fire Agency to complete and comment.
Second Review
          • County Fire Prevention schedules a site visit with CAL FIRE to complete and comment.
Third Review
          • Public Notice is posted on Sonoma County Fire Prevention Division’s webpage.
          • Posting remains open for 10-days to allow for Public Comment.
          • Public noticing period closes after the 10th day.
Forth Review
          • County Fire Prevention schedules a Site visit to meet with Applicant.
          • Recommendation made for Approval or Denial for the Exception to Standards request.
Fifth Review
          • Submit the completed application to Project File and CAL FIRE File.

Chapter 13 of the Sonoma County Fire Safety Ordinance focuses on fire safety and includes regulations for fire access, road standards, emergency water supply and other aspects related to wildfire prevention.

Chapter 13, Article V. - Fire Safe Standards, Sec.13-23 - Compliance with Standards Required - Exceptions to Standards:

(a) All development subject to the provisions of this article shall be constructed and maintained in compliance with the standards specified in this article. Approvals and permits for any development may be withheld or refused until adequate provision has been made to ensure such compliance.

(b) Exceptions to the standards specified in this article and mitigated practices may be allowed where the exception or mitigated practice provides the same overall practical effect as the specified standards.

(c) Application for an exception or mitigated practice shall be made in writing by an applicant for development or the applicant's authorized representative. The application shall state the specific section or sections of this article for which an exception or mitigated practice is proposed, material facts supporting the contention of the applicant, the details of the exception or mitigated practice proposed, and a map showing the proposed location and setting of the exception or mitigated practice. The burden of proving that a proposed exception or mitigated practice is warranted shall be on the applicant.

(d) The county fire warden/fire marshal shall determine whether to grant, deny, or modify any application for an exception or mitigated practice filed in connection with the issuance of any building permit. The planning commission, board of zoning adjustments, project review and advisory committee, or design review committee shall determine whether to grant, deny, or modify any application for an exception or mitigated practice filed in connection with any development approval under their respective jurisdictions. Modification of an application for an exception or mitigated practice by the county fire warden/fire marshal, planning commission, board of zoning adjustments, project review and advisory committee, or design review committee shall be limited to the alternate fire protection measures specified in Section 13-62.

(e) Where an application for an exception or mitigated practice is denied or modified, the applicant may appeal such denial or modification. Appeal from a denial or modification by the county fire warden/fire marshal shall be made pursuant to Article III of this chapter. Appeal from a denial or modification by the planning commission, board of zoning adjustments, project review and advisory committee, or design review committee shall be made pursuant to Chapter 25 or Chapter 26 of this code, as appropriate. In order to grant an appeal, the body hearing the appeal must find that the exception or mitigated practice proposed meets the intent of this article.

(f) A written copy of any decision granting an appeal within a state responsibility area shall be provided to the director of forestry and fire protection within ten (10) days after the decision is final.

Chapter 13 - Sonoma County Fire Safety Ordinance

The Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) is a historic institution with the principal function of overseeing all aspects of county, special districts and city governments in the County to ensure that the best interests of its residents are being served. The County CGJ is sometimes referred to as the "watchdog" of the community and operates under the authority of the Sonoma County Superior Court as an arm of the judicial branch of government. It has 19 members who are selected annually from applications submitted by County residents to serve a one-year term. 

Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury -  https://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/general-information/civil-grand-jury

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors received a report from the Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) titled Is Fire Safety a Priority in Rural Sonoma County? On May 24, 2024, the County of Sonoma responded to the CGJ regarding the four findings and four recommendations based on the submitted report. For transparency, Permit Sonoma Fire Prevention Division has made improvements to procedures for processing Public Noticing and Public Information Requests.

Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury - Findings and Recommendations