The City of Sonoma is pleased to welcome Hannah Smith to our Community Development Department team! Hannah recently joined the Building Division as our new Permit Technician, where she’ll serve as a first point of contact at City Hall, assisting residents, contractors, and developers with permit applications, fee calculations, and general building and planning inquiries. … Continued
Looking to save energy, reduce utility bills, and make your home more comfortable? Two free programs are available to Sonoma residents that can help improve your home’s energy efficiency and sustainability—at no cost to you. BayREN’s Energy Assessment and Savings for the Environment (EASE) ProgramBayREN’s EASE Program provides free home assessments to help identify simple … Continued
The City of Sonoma’s General Plan Update Task Force will meet on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Emergency Operations Center at 175 First Street West. The primary focus of this meeting will be a review of the Draft Circulation Element, now available on the General Plan Update website. This element explores … Continued
The City of Sonoma invites community members to review and comment on the soon to be released Draft Noise Element of the General Plan Update (coming 6/20/25). This element addresses noise issues within the community, aiming to minimize the negative impacts of noise pollution on public health and quality of life. The General Plan Update … Continued
The City of Sonoma Planning Commission will consider updates to the Design Review Ordinance at its meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. The proposed changes aim to streamline the entitlement process by clarifying review authority responsibilities, modifying the types of projects subject to design review, and expanding exemptions for certain development activities. Highlights of the … Continued
The City of Sonoma will recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday on Thursday, June 19, 2025, and non-essential City offices will be closed for the day. This is a new closure intended to honor the significance of Juneteenth in American history and support community reflection and understanding. At its June 4 meeting, the Sonoma City … Continued
The City of Sonoma invites community members to review and comment on the newly released Draft Local Economy Element of the General Plan Update. This element outlines strategies to strengthen Sonoma’s economic vitality while preserving its historic character and quality of life. It includes goals and policies related to sustainable development, business diversity, tourism, and … Continued
The Sonoma County Community Development Commission is currently preparing a new Consolidated Plan. The Consolidated Plan is required by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in order to receive federal funding for affordable housing, public services, and other eligible activities. The Consolidated Plan identifies the most important needs within Sonoma County … Continued
We are excited to welcome Kevin Sullivan to the City of Sonoma’s Community Development Department as our new Building Inspector in the Building Division! Kevin brings with him over 25 years of hands-on experience as a finish carpenter, having worked with several developers throughout Sonoma County. His impressive background also includes roles as a construction … Continued
The City of Sonoma is excited to announce the launch of its Pre-Reviewed ADU Plans Program, an initiative designed to make Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) construction easier, faster, and more cost-effective for homeowners and designers. ADUs, also known as in-law units or granny flats, provide a valuable opportunity to add affordable housing options while generating … Continued
