Sonoma, CA Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

040(F), Hard Surface Behind Driveway Approach or Public Sidewalk, targets the specific problem of unpaved parking areas washing dirt and gravel into the roadway. The section requires that all driveways, roads, roadways, parking areas and other areas designed for vehicular use be constructed with a hard, all-weather surface such as brick, concrete pavers, stone pavers, cement concrete or asphalt concrete acceptable to the city engineer, running for at least 20 feet measured from the public sidewalk or the driveway approach, whichever point is farther from the street.

A gravel or dirt driveway that never gets a paved transition zone at the street end does not meet this standard. 040(A) limits a parcel of two acres or less to a single driveway unless the city engineer determines a second is needed for traffic volumes, while parcels over two acres may have up to two. 040(D) requires the edge of a driveway apron to stay at least 5 feet from the nearest property line, fire hydrant, utility pole or traffic signal. The only relief valve from the hard-surface rule itself is discretionary: the city engineer may waive the 20-foot paved requirement specifically for tree protection or other environmental considerations, not as a general hardship exception.