Sonoma County, CA Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

Off-street parking and driveways at unincorporated-area homes are governed by Sonoma County Zoning Code Chapter 26, Article 86 ('Parking Regulations'). Sec. 26-86-010 sets the required parking: one covered space for a single-family dwelling, two covered spaces for a duplex, and three covered spaces for a triplex, with additional standards for multifamily and condominium projects. The covered-parking requirement for single-family dwellings may be waived under Sec. 26-86-010(k) where it is consistent with neighborhood character and the parcel's size, shape, or location makes covered parking impossible, provided the uncovered parking is visually screened from adjacent parcels and from streets.

Off-street parking areas must be paved with asphalt or an equivalent surface and conform to Article 86's design standards. All points of vehicular access from off-street parking and driveways onto public rights-of-way must be approved by the Director of Transportation and Public Works. Connecting a new driveway to a County road, or upgrading an existing one, requires an encroachment permit: under Permit Sonoma's process, certain building activities trigger a required upgrade of the existing driveway entrance to current Sonoma Public Infrastructure (SPI) construction standards, and a complete encroachment permit application must be approved before the related building permit is issued. Where site conditions make full compliance infeasible, staff may set special provisions that still protect public safety.