Most of unincorporated Sonoma County lies within a State Responsibility Area (SRA) or Local Responsibility Area Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Sonoma County Fire Code Section 4905.4 (Ord. 2023-01) requires structures in SRAs to meet exterior-wall fire-resistance and setback standards per Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (SRA Fire Safe Regulations). State law (Public Resources Code Section 4291) layers a 100-foot defensible-space requirement on top of the local code.
Per Sonoma County Fire Code Section 4905.4 (Ord. 2023-01, Item 101): 'construction, projections, openings and penetrations of exterior walls of buildings constructed on parcels within State Responsibility Areas (SRA) shall provide setbacks from the property line and/or exterior wall protection according to table 4905.4(a) or table 4905.4(b), in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 14, SRA Fire Safe Regulations.' Table 4905.4(a)/(b) sets fire-resistance ratings for walls, projections, openings, and penetrations based on whether the building has automatic sprinkler protection and the fire-separation distance. State Public Resources Code Section 4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around any building in an SRA: a 30-foot 'lean, clean, and green' zone and an additional 70-foot 'reduced fuel' zone. Section 311.3.1 (Ord. 2023-01, Item 14) requires post-fire debris removal within 10 days of written Fire Chief notice.
Per Fire Code Section 112.4 (Ord. 2023-01): misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 fine, up to 6 months in jail, or an administrative fine of not less than $1,000 — each day of continued violation is a separate offense. Cal Fire can issue citations under PRC Section 4291. Section 107.6 of the Fire Code authorizes recovery of fire-suppression and EMS costs from any person who 'negligently, intentionally or in violation of law causes an emergency response,' citing H&S Code Sections 13009/13009.1 and Government Code Section 53150 et seq.
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Sonoma County, CA
Sonoma County does not regulate in-flight aircraft noise (preempted by FAA). The Sonoma County Comprehensive Airport Land Use Plan sets compatibility standar...
Sonoma County, CA
Sonoma County Zoning Regulations Article 86 (Sec. 26-86-010) requires every use to provide a minimum number of on-site parking spaces, including at least one...
Sonoma County, CA
Sonoma County has no county-wide ordinance banning overnight parking on unincorporated public roads. The general 72-hour limit in Chapter 18, Article III app...
Sonoma County, CA
Vehicles parked on any street, roadway, or parking lot in unincorporated Sonoma County for more than 72 consecutive hours may be cited and removed under Cali...
Sonoma County, CA
Sonoma County treats commercial trucks and trailers as oversized vehicles subject to Sec. 18-3.10's six-hour limit on county roads. There is no county-wide o...
Sonoma County, CA
Sonoma County regulates driveways and off-street parking through three connected sources: Article 86 of Chapter 26 (Parking Regulations) of the Zoning Code, ...
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