Press Release Index
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors advances Cannabis Program update
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday advanced the Cannabis Program update, taking a straw vote to approve parts of the updated program following a public hearing. Read full story
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. Read full story
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. Read full story
CalFire lifts burn permit suspension in Sonoma County
The burn permit suspension in Sonoma County has been lifted, CalFire announced today. The state fire agency is formally canceling the burn suspension in Sonoma County. A permit is required to burn. Read full story
Sonoma County partners with local Fire Districts to offer free wildfire resiliency workshops ahead of peak wildfire season
Sonoma County residents are invited to attend free online workshops this August and September to learn about practical steps for protecting their homes and communities from wildfire.Hosted by Sonoma County’s Fire Prevention Division, in partnership with local fire districts, the one-hour webinars will cover home hardening, defensible space, insurance considerations, local resources, and how to sign up for a free wildfire risk assessment. Read full story
Permit Sonoma to release draft Community Vision and Guiding Principles for General Plan update
Permit Sonoma is wrapping up the yearlong Community Vision phase of General Plan Sonoma, its update to General Plan 2020. After months of outreach and engagement with residents across the county, a Draft Vision Statement and set of Guiding Principles—shaped by community input—will be released alongside a summary of public input and a proposed approach to next steps. Read full story
FEMA releases preliminary flood maps for Santa Rosa Creek Watershed
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released preliminary flood maps for the Santa Rosa Creek Watershed. The preliminary maps identify high-risk flood zones, referred to as Special Flood Hazard Areas. Properties in these areas may be subject to flood insurance requirements and stricter building regulations. Read full story
Revised Todd Creek flood appraisal and insurance study moves forward
Sonoma County has submitted a final application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to revise the flood insurance study and floodplain maps for the Todd Creek watershed, which is near the Highway 101 corridor between Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park. Read full story
Permit Sonoma updates permit time limits to align with state law
Permit Sonoma is updating its time limits for permits to comply with recent changes in California state law. Under the new policy, issued permits may now expire if work does not begin within 12 months or if there is a 12-month lapse in progress. Permit Sonoma previously had a three-year permit term to complete the project. Recent state legislation now mandates a 12-month timeframe statewide. Read full story
Sonoma County announces burn suspension on June 23
The Permit Sonoma Fire Prevention Division will suspend burning within the unincorporated county in response to Cal Fire’s burn suspension that is set to begin at 8 a.m. June 23. The order bans all outdoor burning. Read full story
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