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January 03, 2025 | Permit Sonoma

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@sonoma-county.org. Customers will no longer be required to submit separate OWTS Construction Applications to convert a Vesting Certificate to an OWTS Construction Permit.


July 19, 2024 | Permit Sonoma

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.


July 10, 2024 | Permit Sonoma

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).


May 12, 2023 | Permit Sonoma

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.


April 20, 2023 | Permit Sonoma

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.


May 31, 2022 | Permit Sonoma

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.

Press Releases


March 27, 2025 | Permit Sonoma

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.


September 25, 2024 | Permit Sonoma

Technical Advisory Board Announced for OWTS Manual Update

Permit Sonoma is seeking septic design professionals and septic contractors/operators/maintenance providers to participate in future updates to Sonoma County’s Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Regulations and Technical Standards (OWTS Manual). Permit Sonoma will be forming a OWTS Manual Technical Advisory Committee (OWTS Manual TAC).


September 16, 2024 | Permit Sonoma

New submittal updates for building permits | Effective Oct. 1, 2024

Permit Sonoma is implementing new submittal requirements for building permits that will go into effect on October 1, 2024. The new process will no longer allow deferred submittals for trusses, photovoltaic systems, and fire sprinklers. These items must be submitted along with the customer's building permit application or prior to the issuance of the building permit.