Housing Newsletter 2025

Welcome to the second Housing Update newsletter aimed at keeping Sonoma County residents, developers, service providers, and other interested persons informed about housing-related news, regulatory changes, opportunities, and incentives.

Sonoma County 5-Year Consolidated Plan for Federal Assistance Programs

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission (Commission) administers federal housing and community development funds for Sonoma County and seven of its nine cities. These include the Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and Emergency Solutions Grant, all overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

HUD requires a five-year Consolidated Plan outlining how these funds will assist low-income households. The Plan focuses on three key areas:

• Affordable Housing: Housing preservation and rehabilitation, new construction of rental housing for families, seniors, and populations with special needs, and transitional and premanent housing for individuals exiting homelessness.
• Neighborhood Improvements: Upgrades to parks, streets, and public facilities, including accessibility improvements and economic development.
• Public Services: Fair housing support, homeless outreach, homelessness prevention, and rapid rehousing.

Recommended projects and activities are detailed annually in an Action Plan. The Commission is now drafting the 2025–2030 Consolidated Plan and the first-year 2025–2026 Annual Action Plan. Public input is vital and encouraged. All are invited to participate in the process and provide comments.

Public Meetings (in person or via Zoom)

• Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 10:00 A.M.
  Location: 141 Stony Circle, Suite 210, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
  Teleconference meeting link and agenda can be obtained by visiting the Commissions's Community Development Calendar.

Submit Comments

• By mail or in person to the address above
• By email: Veronica.Ortiz-DeAnda@sonoma-county.org
• By phone: 707-565-7520

Affordable Housing Project Awards

In addition to federal funding sources, the Commission administers local and state funding programs including the County Fund for Housing (CFH) and the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) programs. In December of 2024 the Board of Supervisor’s approved the following funding awards for affordable housing projects from CFH, PLHA, and HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP):

For questions about the projects and or awards, please contact Veronica Ortiz-De Anda by calling 707-565-7520 or via email at: Veronica.Ortiz-DeAnda@sonoma-county.org

Fair Housing Resources

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission has launched a new Fair Housing Resources webpage. This page offers information on federal and state fair housing laws, legal assistance resources, and guidance on housing rights and responsibilities. It also explains how Sonoma County Housing Authority participants can file fair housing complaints.

Housing Preservation Loans Programs

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission offers a Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program (HRLP), providing low-interest loans to eligible low-income homeowners—including mobile home owners—and rental property owners with at least 50% low-income tenants. The program is available in unincorporated Sonoma County and the cities of Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Sonoma, and Windsor.

The Commission also administers two grant programs:

• Flood Elevation Grant: For eligible homeowners raising homes above flood levels.
• Seismic Bracing Grant: For eligible mobile home owners to install earthquake bracing systems.

For more information, contact Marc Chandler at 707-565-7524 or Marc.Chandler@sonoma-county.org. Visit the Commission’s website for program details, or learn more about the Commission and the Sonoma County Housing Authority.

The County is Designated "Prohousing" by the State

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) administers the Prohousing Designation Program, which gives cities and counties priority or competitive advantages when applying for select state and federal funding. Sonoma County received its designation in 2023, making County agencies—and their non-governmental partners, where allowed—eligible for enhanced funding opportunities.

Grants offering advantages to Prohousing jurisdictions include:

• Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC): Supports infill and transit-oriented affordable housing, housing-related infrastructure, and sustainable transportation in disadvantaged communities.
• Infill Infrastructure Grant (IIG): Funds infrastructure and site improvements for infill developments.
• Transformative Climate Communities (TCC): Backs community-led housing and infrastructure projects in disadvantaged areas.
• Solutions for Congested Corridors: Supports regional transportation infrastructure projects.
• Local Partnership Program: Funds transportation projects in areas with voter-approved taxes or fees dedicated solely to transportation improvements.
• Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP): Funds upgrades to rail, bus, and ferry systems to reduce emissions and congestion.
• Prohousing Incentive Pilot (PIP): Offers housing-related funding exclusively to Prohousing-designated jurisdictions.

Find more information on HCD’s Prohousing Designation Program, visit their website.

"Coming Soon"

To support Housing Element goals, Permit Sonoma is creating an interactive online map with detailed, parcel-specific information to help developers identify potential housing sites. The map will show permit and affordability requirements by project type (e.g., single-family, multi-family, mixed-use) and provide key data and links on zoning, Housing Element Inventory Sites, Neighborhood Opportunity resource zones, infrastructure, environmental hazard areas where data is available.

New ADU Laws and Resources

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are independent residential units located on the same lot as a primary dwelling. They are permitted in most residential, mixed-use, and agricultural zones. With limited exceptions, properties with a primary residence may be eligible for up to two ADUs—one detached and one attached—as well as one Junior ADU (JADU), subject to applicable development standards.

The County's ADU webpage offers step-by-step guides, checklists, and permitting information to assist homeowners. For questions, email the Planning Division at planner@sonoma-county.org or visit the Permit Sonoma office in person.

New state ADU laws went into effect on January 1, 2025 and updates to the County ordinance are ongoing. The County is wokring to update local regulations to ensure alignment with State ADU and JADU law. In the meantime, State Law (Gov Code §66314-66332) prevails over any conflicts with existing County Code §26-88-060. The most recent round of code changes included:

• Existing unpermitted ADUs and JADUs created before January 1, 2020, may now be permitted unless the unit is found to be substandard. (Government Code Section 66332)
• Only objective standards described in Gov. Code Section 66323 may be applied to certain types of ADUs. (Government Code Section 66323)
• Up to 8 detached ADUs may now be allowed on a lot with an existing multifamily dwelling.

Pre-Reviewed ADU Plans

In January 2025, Permit Sonoma launched the ADU Ready program, featuring a gallery of pre-reviewed ADU designs that meet California Building Code requirements. These plans are intended to simplify and accelerate the permitting process, reducing both time and cost for applicants.

• For Design Professionals: Architects and licensed designers can submit ADU plans to Permit Sonoma for pre-review. Once approved, plans are added to the ADU Design Gallery.
• For Homeowners: You can browse the gallery and contact the listed designer to obtain a plan package. Plans may be used by working with a licensed professional or by meeting owner-builder requirements.

To use a pre-reviewed plan:

• Prepare a site-specific building permit application.
• Submit the application with initial fees.
• Permit Sonoma will review the application within 30 days for zoning compliance, fire code, and site-specific conditions.
• If all requirements are met, final fees are assessed and the building permit is issued.
• Construction can begin, and once all inspections are passed, a certificate of occupancy will be granted.

Legalizing Unpermitted ADUs

There are several reasons to legalize an unpermitted ADU:

• Ensure the structure meets health and safety standards.
• Improve property value and potential rental income.
• Avoid code enforcement penalties.

New Law Effective January 1, 2025:
Permit Sonoma may not deny a permit to legalize an existing, unpermitted ADU or JADU constructed before January 1, 2020, unless the structure is deemed “substandard” as defined in California Health and Safety Code §17920.3. Legalization will not require compliance with certain development standards such as setbacks, height limits, or lot coverage.

A Substandard Conditions Self-Assessment Checklist will soon be available to help homeowners evaluate their unit against state criteria, which include conditions that pose risks to life, safety, or property.

For ADUs built on or after January 1, 2020:
The ADU Rescue Program allows eligible owners to request a postponement of code enforcement actions for up to five years while the unit is brought into compliance with Building Code requirements.

For more information, visit the County’s ADU legalization page.

Universal Design

Universal design creates spaces that are accessible and functional for people of all ages and abilities. The County encourages housing projects that incorporate universal design features and offers a density bonus for multi-unit developments that include key elements:

• Step-free entry and thresholds
• Single-floor living with 32-inch-wide doorways
• Accessible-height controls

Additional features are outlined in the County’s Universal Design Checklist. Housing built to ADA accessibility standards automatically meets the minimum criteria.

For details, see Zoning Code Section 26-89-050 or contact PermitSonoma-Housing@sonoma-county.org.

County Programs for Saving Water and Energy

Homeowners can save money on energy and water improvements through County programs and partnerships.

The Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP) offers Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing for energy, water, wildfire safety, and seismic upgrades via your property tax bill. Eligible property types include homes, businesses, farms, and nonprofits.

Benefits include:

• 7.49% fixed interest rate
• No money down
• No income or credit check
• Low fees (under $200)
• Strong consumer protections

Over 100 pre-approved improvements qualify, or you can submit custom measures for review.

The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership brings together local water utilities to promote water efficiency. Each utility offers programs and rebates to help reduce water use.

Visit the Partnership Program Directory to explore available rebates and incentives.

The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) is a coalition of the Bay Area's nine counties - a network of local governments partnering to promote resource fficiency at the regional level, focusing on energy, water and greenhouse gas reduction. BayREN's new Efficiency and Sustainable Energy (EASE) Home program helps income-eligible home-owners make energy upgrades that improve health and home comfort. BayREN covers 80% of the cost for weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades. They offer fixed pricing with no surprises or hidden fees. They will also maximize third-party rebates for any additional measures.

EASE supports a range of upgrades, including:

• Weatherization: insulation, duct sealing, and air sealing to keep homes comfortable year-round
• Energy efficiency: smart thermostats and weatherstripping to reduce energy use and lower bills
• Health and safety: pest control and mold remediation needed for energy upgrades
• High-efficiency electric appliances: heat pumps, induction stoves, electric dryers, and more for better air quality and performance
• Electrical upgrades to support new technologies

Visit BayREN EASE for more information.