News & Updates

Access to accurate and timely information is critical to helping you understand the issues and decisions facing our City Council and Commissions and engage in the policy making process.  Stay informed by reading the latest news and updates below, sign up to receive "News & Updates," the Sonoma City e-newsletter and subscribe to meeting agendas and minutes for the City Council and Commissions.

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Latest News Posts

Tom Arrington and MacLean Meyn, City of Sonoma Parks and Water Division Supervisors, standing together in front of City service vehicles.

City of Sonoma Selects Internal Candidates for Supervisor Positions in Parks and Water Divisions

Posted on December 12, 2025

The City of Sonoma is pleased to announce the appointment of two internal candidates to new supervisory roles within the Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments. These promotions reflect the City’s commitment to recognizing talent, experience, and leadership from within our organization. Tom Arrington Appointed Parks Division Supervisor Tom Arrington has been appointed Supervisor...
A burgundy logo with a rendering of the top floor and roof line of Sonoma City Hall with the words "General Plan 2045"

General Plan Update: Draft Land Use Element Released and Community Meeting Scheduled for Sebastiani Potential Land Use 

Posted on December 8, 2025

Draft Land Use Element Now Available for Review The City of Sonoma has released the Draft Land Use Element, an important component of the General Plan Update that outlines how land in Sonoma may be used in the future to support housing, economic vitality, open space, environmental protection, and the preservation of community character. The...
5 photos of Olsen Park from different perspectives.

Olsen Park Improvement Project Design Review Coming to PROS December 10

Posted on December 8, 2025

The Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Commission will review the 90% design plans for the Olsen Park Improvement Capital Improvement Project (CIP P-8) at its meeting on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 177 First Street West in Sonoma. City staff and the project design team from LandCulture...
Ada Limón sits cross-legged on an outdoor bench surrounded by potted plants smiling warmly as she looks toward the camera.

Ada Limón Selected as the City of Sonoma’s 2026 Treasure Artist

Posted on December 4, 2025

The City of Sonoma is proud to announce that Ada Limón has been selected as the 2026 Treasure Artist by the Cultural and Fine Arts Commission at their November 18th Meeting. Limón, an internationally celebrated poet and the 24th Poet Laureate of the United States, grew up in Sonoma Valley and has recently returned to...
Color photo of stone, two story building with trees and blue sky in the background with text and an official city seal.

City of Sonoma Announces Ada Limón as 2026 Treasure Artist

Posted on December 3, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  December 3, 2025 - Sonoma, CA – The City of Sonoma and the Cultural and Fine Arts Commission are honored to announce that acclaimed poet Ada Limón has been selected as the 2026 Sonoma Treasure Artist. Limón is the first poet and only the second writer to receive this distinction since the...
Gwen Brown from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council presents the Charging Smart Silver certificate to Sonoma Mayor Patricia Farrar-Rivas, who stands at the center holding the award, with City of Sonoma Associate Planner Jacob Dunn standing to her left. All three are smiling during the recognition presentation.

City of Sonoma Earns “Charging Smart Silver” Designation for EV Readiness

Posted on December 2, 2025

The City of Sonoma has been recognized with a Silver designation from the national Charging Smart program for its leadership in preparing the community for electric vehicle adoption and expanding access to EV charging infrastructure. Charging Smart is a national initiative led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council in partnership with Cool The Earth and...
Color photo of stone, two story building with trees and blue sky in the background with text and an official city seal.

City of Sonoma Designated “Charging Smart Silver” for Electric Vehicle Readiness – Press Release

Posted on December 2, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2025 - Sonoma, CA  – The City of Sonoma has been awarded a Silver designation from the national Charging Smart program in recognition of the City’s leadership in electric vehicle (EV) readiness and its commitment to expanding EV charging infrastructure throughout the community. Charging Smart is a national program led...
Row of colorful manufactured homes with awnings and small landscaped areas along a paved street in a mobile home park on a sunny day.

City Council to Continue Mobilehome Park Closure and Conversion Ordinance Update on December 3

Posted on November 26, 2025

The Sonoma City Council will hold its second study session on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, to continue reviewing options for updating the City’s rules on mobilehome park closures and conversions. The discussion builds on the Council’s November 5 study session and focuses on aligning Sonoma Municipal Code Chapter 9.82 with recent state law changes under...
“Collage of three Climate Smart Sonoma images showing a child playing in fall leaves, a woman holding a ‘Shop Small’ shirt next to reusable bags, and a person preparing vegetable scraps for composting, with the Climate Smart Sonoma logo above.”

Celebrate the Season, Climate Smart

Posted on November 25, 2025

As the holidays approach, we want to take a moment to share our appreciation for everyone in Sonoma who continues to make climate-smart choices—large and small. Your efforts are reflected in Sonoma’s Climate Action Strategies, which were developed by the Climate Action Commission as roadmap for reducing emissions, promoting sustainability, and building resilience. Here are...
Mayor Patricia Farrar Rivas stands at a podium while 2024 Honorary Alcalde Wayne Schake passes the traditional silver headed cane to 2025 Honorary Alcaldessa Kathy Witkowicki during the recognition ceremony.

Nominations Now Open for the 2026 Honorary Alcalde

Posted on November 24, 2025

The City of Sonoma is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Honorary Alcalde, a longstanding tradition recognizing a Sonoma Valley resident (or couple) whose commitment, service, and leadership have made a meaningful and lasting impact on the community. Since 1975, each Honorary Alcalde has been celebrated at a City-hosted...
Color photo of stone, two story building with trees and blue sky in the background with text and an official city seal.

City of Sonoma Invites Nominations for 2026 Honorary Alcalde – Press Release

Posted on November 24, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sonoma, CA – November 20, 2025 - The City of Sonoma is once again inviting community members to nominate outstanding residents for the 2026 Honorary Alcalde, the City’s “citizen of the year” recognition. Since 1975, the Sonoma City Council has selected one community member (or couple) each year to receive the title...
Official City of Sonoma minimum wage notice effective January 1, 2026. The notice features the City seal and red banner labeled “Official Notice.” It lists the new minimum wage rates: $18.47 per hour for large employers and $17.38 per hour for small employers, with the effective date highlighted in yellow at the bottom.

New Sonoma Minimum Wage Rates effective January 1, 2026

Posted on November 19, 2025

Starting January 1, 2026, the minimum wage rate in the City of Sonoma is $18.47/hour for large employers (26 or more employees) and $17.38/hour for small employers (25 or fewer employees). The scheduled increase is included in the minimum wage ordinance adopted by the City Council in 2019 after a minimum wage study, which became Chapter 2.80 of...
Building plan documents laid out and rolled to the side with a miniature model of a building in the foreground and yellow hard hat in the background.

New California Building Code Cycle Begins January 1, 2026

Posted on November 17, 2025

The State of California has released the 2025 California Building Standards Code, which will take effect on January 1, 2026. As part of the required triennial update cycle, the City of Sonoma will transition from the current 2022 code set to the new 2025 edition. The City Council will consider the adoption ordinance at its...
Graphic announcing “Phil Coturri Day” as part of the City of Sonoma’s Celebrate Sonoma program. On the left, Phil Coturri is pictured outdoors at a social event wearing a tropical print shirt, sunglasses, and a straw hat, holding a wine glass and smiling among others. The right side includes text noting that the City Council will recognize him on November 19, 2025, and invites the public to attend. The bottom includes the City of Sonoma seal and website SonomaCity.org/Celebrate-Sonoma.

Celebrate Sonoma! Phil Coturri Day is November 19, 2025

Posted on November 10, 2025

The City of Sonoma is proud to announce that Phil Coturri will be honored as the next recipient of the Celebrate Sonoma recognition during the City Council meeting on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 6:00 PM. As part of this program, the City will officially proclaim November 19, 2025, as “Phil Coturri Day” in Sonoma....
No parking and construction signs posted along West Spain Street in downtown Sonoma. Orange-and-white barricades with “Tow-Away No Parking – Construction” notices line the sidewalk, with cars parked and businesses visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

West Spain Street Rehabilitation Project Underway — Weather May Affect Schedule

Posted on November 10, 2025

The West Spain Street Rehabilitation Project is now underway. The project, managed by the City of Sonoma and constructed by Team Ghilotti, Inc., includes pavement grinding, repair of localized pavement failures, new striping and signage, and utility structure adjustments. Work is taking place along West Spain Street between 1st Street West and 3rd Street West,...
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