Salmon Creek, CA

Sonoma County has no ordinance specifically restricting or banning leaf blowers in the unincorporated area. Leaf-blower noise is treated like other property-maintenance noise, addressed only if it becomes a loud, unreasonable disturbance under state law or General Plan performance standards.

Vehicle noise in unincorporated Sonoma County is governed by California state law, not a County ordinance. Vehicle Code 27150 requires an adequate muffler at all times, and 27151 bans modified exhaust that amplifies noise. The Sheriff and CHP enforce these rules; the County encourages active state enforcement.

Sonoma County has no enforceable countywide decibel ordinance for everyday noise. The General Plan Noise Element Table NE-2 sets exterior performance standards for stationary sources — daytime L50 of 50 dBA and nighttime L50 of 45 dBA at a neighbor's property line — applied mainly through project and permit review.

Outdoor music, concerts and special events in unincorporated Sonoma County are regulated through the use-permit and special-event review process rather than a fixed noise ordinance. The General Plan Noise Element flags amplified outdoor sound as a key concern and applies stationary-source standards, reduced 5 dBA for music.

Industrial and commercial (stationary-source) noise in unincorporated Sonoma County is governed by the General Plan Noise Element's Table NE-2 performance standards, applied through zoning and use-permit review. New sources must not exceed daytime L50 of 50 dBA or nighttime L50 of 45 dBA at an adjacent noise-sensitive property line.

The County Code contains no countywide ordinance fixing construction start and stop times for unincorporated Sonoma County. Construction noise is generally addressed through project-specific conditions, the General Plan Noise Element standards, and Penal Code disturbing-the-peace law rather than a blanket hours rule.

Unincorporated Sonoma County has no comprehensive noise-control ordinance setting fixed neighborhood quiet hours. Instead the General Plan Noise Element uses daytime (7 a.m.–10 p.m.) and nighttime (10 p.m.–7 a.m.) performance standards, and the Sheriff enforces California disturbing-the-peace law against loud, unreasonable nighttime noise.

Unincorporated Sonoma County has no dedicated amplified-music ordinance, but the General Plan Noise Element treats amplified sound as especially intrusive: stationary-source standards are reduced by 5 dBA for noise consisting primarily of speech or music. Loud amplified music can also be cited under state disturbing-the-peace law.

Sonoma County Code section 5-126 makes it a public nuisance for an animal owner to allow a dog or other animal to disturb the neighborhood by barking, howling or making other noise. Animal Services investigates on written affirmation from neighbors and can order the nuisance abated.

This is the one true Sonoma County noise ordinance: Code Chapter 3, Article III limits aircraft noise at the County-owned Sonoma County Airport. Section 3-41 caps takeoff noise at 83.2 dBA (Lmax) during the day and 72 dBA (Lmax) at night, enforced by the Director of Aviation with fines and operating bans.

Sec. 26-88-120(e) caps overnight occupancy at two persons per sleeping room plus two more per property, to a maximum of 12 (children under three excluded). Total daytime guests and visitors may not exceed overnight occupancy plus six, or 18, whichever is less. Rentals may have no more than five guestrooms.

Whole-house vacation rentals in unincorporated Sonoma County require a zoning permit under County Code Sec. 26-88-120, issued by Permit Sonoma. Rentals that meet all standards qualify for a zoning permit; those that do not need a use permit. The permit runs with the owner and expires on sale or transfer.

Unincorporated Sonoma County levies a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax on vacation rental rent, authorized under County Code Chapter 12, Article III. Large lodging operators also pay a 2% Business Improvement Area assessment (Chapter 33). The Board may adopt an annual monitoring-and-enforcement fee under Sec. 26-88-120(h).

Sec. 26-88-120(e)(5) requires one on-site space for rentals up to two guestrooms, two spaces for three or four guestrooms, and at least three spaces for larger rentals. One required space may be on-street. The number of guest vehicles cannot exceed one per bedroom and must be stated in listings.

Sonoma County does NOT require vacation rentals to be a primary residence. Sec. 26-88-120 applies precisely to whole-house rentals where there is no primary owner in residence. Owner-occupied 'hosted rentals' are instead governed by Sec. 26-88-118, and a primary owner in residence is exempt from the vacation rental rules.

Sec. 26-88-120 does not set an annual cap on the number of nights a permitted vacation rental may operate; a vacation rental is simply any rental of 30 days or less. Instead, the County controls supply through density 'cap zones' (5% or 10% of single-family homes) and X Exclusion Combining Districts.

Whole-house vacation rentals do not require an on-site host, but Sec. 26-88-120(f)(8) requires a certified 24-hour property manager available 24/7 during rentals and located within 30 miles. By contrast, owner-occupied 'hosted rentals' under Sec. 26-88-118 require the primary owner to reside on the property.

Sec. 26-88-120 does not impose a specific liability-insurance minimum for vacation rentals. Permit Sonoma's application instead requires a signed Indemnification Agreement (Form PJR-011). Operators are responsible for their own coverage, and platforms or lenders may require liability insurance separately.

Sec. 26-88-120(f) sets quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and applies General Plan noise standards (for example, an L50 limit of 50 dBA daytime and 45 dBA during quiet hours). Outdoor amplified sound is banned at all times. Standards drop 5 dBA for speech, music, or barking.

Beyond the zoning permit, operators must obtain a separate vacation rental license under County Code Chapter 4, Article VIII, register for a Transient Occupancy Tax certificate, and maintain a certified property manager. Permits are posted on-site and neighbors within 300 feet receive mailed notice of issuance.

Repeat vacation rental violations in unincorporated Sonoma County trigger an escalating enforcement ladder, from a warning letter to suspensions of one to six months and license revocation for up to five years for chronic non-compliance.

Recreational fires and fire pits in unincorporated Sonoma County are governed by the County Fire Safety Ordinance (Chapter 13), which adopts the California Fire Code with local amendments. Open burning of vegetation requires a valid burn permit and a permissive burn day; gas and propane appliances avoid the wood-smoke restrictions that can apply on Spare the Air days.

All fireworks are illegal in the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County, including state-approved 'Safe and Sane' devices and sparklers. There is no legal-sale window. Violators may be arrested, fined, or jailed, with penalties increasing for dangerous fireworks. Permitted public displays require a separate Permit Sonoma fireworks permit.

Sonoma County Code Chapter 13A requires owners of parcels in the unincorporated area to maintain defensible space and abate hazardous vegetation year-round. Improved parcels in the Local Responsibility Area must keep 30 feet of defensible space (up to 100 feet if conditions require), limb trees, and clear roadside vegetation. Non-compliance can be abated by the County with costs liened to the property.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements in unincorporated Sonoma County follow the California Residential Code as adopted through the County's building and fire codes, plus statewide point-of-sale law. Residential permits over $1,000 in valuation trigger alarm upgrades throughout the dwelling, and at least one CO device must be installed when residential property is sold.

Much of unincorporated Sonoma County lies within Fire Hazard Severity Zones, including State Responsibility Area and Very High zones, reflecting catastrophic fires like Tubbs (2017), Kincade (2019), and Glass (2020). New construction in WUI/SRA and Very High zones must meet ignition-resistant standards under California Building Code Chapter 7A, and SRA/Very High projects require a fire protection plan reviewed before permit issuance.

Open burning of vegetation in unincorporated Sonoma County requires a current, valid burn permit from Permit Sonoma plus a permissive burn day from the local air district. Piles are limited to 4 feet in diameter and height, must be cleared 10 feet to bare soil, attended by an adult, and contain only dry natural vegetation - never trash.

Backyard burning of vegetation in unincorporated Sonoma County is allowed only with a valid Permit Sonoma burn permit on a permissive burn day, with piles capped at 4 feet, a 10-foot bare-soil clearance, an adult in attendance, and no burning on windy days. Only dry natural vegetation may be burned - trash and debris are prohibited - and burning is suspended during high fire danger.

Propane (LP-gas) and petroleum storage in unincorporated Sonoma County is regulated through the California Fire Code adopted in County Code Chapter 13 and Permit Sonoma's hazardous-materials program. LP-gas installations require a Fire Code permit before filling, and aboveground petroleum facilities of 1,320 gallons or more must maintain a federal SPCC plan under the Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act.

In unincorporated Sonoma County, RVs and boats may not be parked on a County road or right-of-way for more than six consecutive hours under Sonoma County Code Sec. 18-3.10, after which the vehicle must relocate for at least 72 hours. The County does not restrict storing an RV or boat on your own private property by setback.

Street parking on County roads in unincorporated Sonoma County is governed by Sonoma County Code Chapter 18, Article III. Parking is generally allowed except where signs or curb paint prohibit it, near intersections and traffic controls, within six feet of the road center, and where the Board of Supervisors has designated no-parking or time-limited zones by resolution.

Sonoma County Code Sec. 18-3.10 prohibits parking any 'oversized vehicle' on a County road or right-of-way for more than six consecutive hours, after which it must relocate for at least 72 hours. Oversized means any motor vehicle, boat, or trailer at least 24 feet long, 90 inches high, or 96 inches wide, plus buses, trailers, trailer coaches, and recreational vehicles.

On County roads in unincorporated Sonoma County, loading and passenger-loading zones are established under Sonoma County Code Sec. 18-3.3 and marked by curb paint or signs. Stopping is for loading or unloading only and, unless otherwise posted, may not exceed 20 minutes. Yellow and white curbs carry the meanings set by California Vehicle Code Sec. 21458.

In unincorporated Sonoma County, residential parking and driveway standards come from Zoning Code Chapter 26, Article 86. A single-family dwelling requires one covered off-street parking space, parking areas must be paved, and any new or upgraded driveway connecting to a County road needs an encroachment permit from Permit Sonoma / Sonoma Public Infrastructure.

On County roads in unincorporated Sonoma County, parking or standing of commercial vehicles rated 10,000 pounds gross weight or more may be prohibited in residential districts under Sonoma County Code Sec. 18-3.3(g), as allowed by California Vehicle Code Sec. 22507.5. Large commercial vehicles are also covered by the six-hour oversized-vehicle limit in Sec. 18-3.10.

Sonoma County Code Chapter 18, Article IV declares abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles on private or public property in the unincorporated area a public nuisance subject to abatement, under authority of California Vehicle Code Sec. 22660. Permit Sonoma Code Enforcement administers a free junk-vehicle removal program. Vehicles on public roads are handled by CHP and the Sheriff.

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 covered space per single-family dwelling and one space per accessory dwelling unit.

Unincorporated Sonoma County has no blanket overnight parking ban on all County roads. Instead, Sonoma County Code Sec. 18-3.3 allows parking to be prohibited between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on designated road portions, and Sec. 18-3.5 lets the Board of Supervisors create posted 'No Overnight Parking' zones by resolution.

Unincorporated Sonoma County has no dedicated County ordinance governing parking in EV charging spaces. The controlling rules come from California Vehicle Code Sec. 22511, which lets local authorities designate charging-only spaces and makes it unlawful to occupy a posted EV charging space unless the vehicle is connected for charging.

On County roads in unincorporated Sonoma County, curb colors follow the statewide system in California Vehicle Code Sec. 21458 - red, yellow, white, green, and blue. Only the Public Works Director / Sonoma Public Infrastructure may apply official curb markings under County Code Sec. 18-3.2, and private address-number curb painting in the unincorporated area requires an encroachment permit.

Fences in unincorporated Sonoma County must meet zoning height limits by yard, sit at least 6 inches outside public rights-of-way and easements, and be measured from the lowest existing grade. No fencing is allowed in a designated floodway (F1), and riparian-corridor fences are limited to about 4 feet of wildlife-friendly open fencing.

A fence built on top of a retaining wall in unincorporated Sonoma County cannot exceed the allowable fence height when the wall and fence are combined. Fence height is measured from the lowest existing grade to the topmost point, so a wall counts toward the limit. Structural retaining walls require a separate building permit.

Under the 2025 objective standards, residential and K-district fences in unincorporated Sonoma County must use allowed materials such as wood, naturalistic composite wood, stone/masonry, stucco, and non-reflective woven metal or wire. Glass, exposed bunker blocks, razor wire, reflective metal, and barbed wire are prohibited (except qualifying agricultural fences).

Residential and K-district fences in unincorporated Sonoma County may use wood, naturalistic composite wood, stone or masonry, stucco/plaster, woven metal or wire (chain link, hog wire), and non-reflective metal. Agricultural fences in AR/RR districts may use split-rail, pipe, post-and-wire, and barbed wire. Approved standard designs cover fences up to 8 feet.

Qualifying agricultural fences in unincorporated Sonoma County - post-and-wire, split-rail, or pipe fencing up to 8 feet associated with an existing or proposed agricultural use - are exempt from design review and may be installed anywhere agricultural production is allowed.

Many fences in unincorporated Sonoma County need no permit, but a building permit is required for solid wood/concrete/metal/masonry fences over 7 feet and for any fence over 10 feet. Taller or solid fences in required yards may also need administrative design review, design review, or a use permit under the 2025 objective standards.

All fences in unincorporated Sonoma County must be located at least 6 inches outside any public right-of-way and easement. Within residential and K zones, fence height is also limited by front-yard, corner-visibility, and side/rear-yard setback areas.

Swimming pools in unincorporated Sonoma County must have at least two drowning-prevention safety features under California's Swimming Pool Safety Act. The barrier option requires a minimum 60-inch fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate latched at least 60 inches above grade and a maximum 2-inch gap at ground level.

In unincorporated Sonoma County's residential and K districts, fences are limited to 3 feet in required front yards (and within 15 feet of a street corner) and 6 feet in required side and rear yards without a use permit. Updated objective standards (Ord. 6547, 2025) let many fences go taller by-right with open or lattice tops.

Sonoma County's Zoning Code (Ch. 26) governs fence height and placement, but cost-sharing for a shared boundary fence is set by California Civil Code 841, the 'Good Neighbor Fence Law.' Adjoining owners are presumed to share equally in the cost of a division fence, and a landowner must give 30 days' written notice before building or replacing one.

Unincorporated Sonoma County does not maintain its own exotic-animal list; California restricted-species law controls. Under Fish and Game Code and Title 14 Section 671 of the California Code of Regulations, possessing restricted wild animals (such as ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, monkeys, and most wild species) as pets is prohibited without a state permit.

Livestock in unincorporated Sonoma County is governed by the Zoning Code's animal-density standards administered by Permit Sonoma, with allowances based on zoning district and parcel size. County Code Chapter 5 also protects livestock by addressing dogs that enter property where sheep or other livestock are kept.

In unincorporated Sonoma County, no permit is required to keep up to four dogs and/or four cats on a property. Keeping five or more typically requires a license or use permit. Five to ten animals kept non-commercially can be licensed as a pet fancier facility; five or more kept commercially is a kennel.

Under Sonoma County's Animal Regulation Ordinance (County Code Chapter 5, Article VI), cats four months of age or older must be vaccinated against rabies. Cat registration with Animal Services is voluntary, with reduced fees available for spayed/neutered cats and for owners age 62 or older.

Unincorporated Sonoma County does not have a stand-alone ordinance banning the feeding of wildlife generally, but California regulations control. Title 14 Section 251.3 of the California Code of Regulations prohibits knowingly feeding big game mammals such as deer, and feeding that habituates wildlife can be treated as harassment under the Fish and Game Code.

Unincorporated Sonoma County does not set a specific numeric hoarding threshold; California Penal Code Section 597 governs animal cruelty and neglect. Keeping so many animals that overcrowding compromises their health and safety can be charged as cruelty. County Code Chapter 5 nuisance and sanitation provisions and pet-limit rules also apply.

Beekeepers in unincorporated Sonoma County must register their apiaries with the County Agricultural Commissioner under California Food and Agricultural Code Section 29040 and following sections. Registration is due by January 1 each year, with a $10 fee; hobbyists with nine or fewer hives are fee-exempt but must still register.

In unincorporated Sonoma County, the Animal Regulation Ordinance (County Code Chapter 5, Article X, Section 5-115) prohibits dogs from running at large and requires that dogs in public be restrained by a substantial leash. Exceptions cover service, police, herding, hunting, and supervised training dogs.

Unincorporated Sonoma County does not ban or restrict any dog breed. California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 prohibits cities and counties from declaring any breed dangerous or vicious based on breed. Local dangerous-dog rules in County Code Chapter 5 apply to individual animals by behavior, not breed.

Sonoma County Code Chapter 5, § 5-115 prohibits dogs from running at large in unincorporated areas and requires that any dog on a public street or other public place be restrained by a substantial leash held by a person capable of controlling the animal.

Keeping chickens and small livestock in unincorporated Sonoma County is governed by the Zoning Code's animal-density rules, administered by Permit Sonoma. Density depends on the zoning district and parcel size. In Rural Residential zoning, one horse or cow, five goats, or fifty chickens are allowed per 20,000 square feet of parcel area.

Sonoma County Code § 5-126 declares it a public nuisance to permit an animal to obstruct the reasonable and comfortable use of property in a neighborhood by barking, howling, or making other noise. Two affirming neighbors (or one if within 300 feet) can trigger an Animal Services investigation and an abatement order, with referral to the District Attorney for noncompliance.

Unincorporated Sonoma County has no general lawn-height limit, but its hazardous-vegetation rules (County Code Chapter 13A) require dry grasses cut to 6 inches or less within 30 feet of structures, and 4 inches or less within 10 feet of roadway frontage, for wildfire defensible space.

On Sonoma County-operated water systems (Fitch Mountain, Freestone, Jenner, Salmon Creek), outdoor watering of ornamental landscaping is limited to two days a week - Tuesday and Friday - during early-morning and late-evening hours. Most county properties are on private wells or other water providers and instead follow state (SWRCB) and water-supplier rules.

Sonoma County encourages rainwater capture. Simple rain barrels for outdoor irrigation generally need no permit, but systems that collect rainwater for potable (indoor) use require a permit under Appendix K of the California Plumbing Code, which the County adopted in January 2017. Related graywater systems have their own tiered permit rules.

Sonoma County does not mandate native plants for private yards. For projects subject to its Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Code Chapter 7D3), landscapes must meet a water budget that favors low-water, climate-appropriate planting. Voluntary programs like Russian River-Friendly Landscaping promote natives but are not legally required.

Under California SB 1383 (effective Jan 1, 2022), all Sonoma County residents and businesses must keep organic waste - food scraps and yard trimmings - out of the landfill, typically by using the green organics cart. Backyard home composting is encouraged and can reduce what you set out. The mandate is a state law implemented locally by Zero Waste Sonoma.

Unincorporated Sonoma County requires a permit to remove most protected native trees 6 inches in diameter or larger. A ministerial zoning permit covers smaller trees; a discretionary use permit is needed for hardwoods 36 inches or larger and redwoods 48 inches or larger. Mitigation fees apply, starting at $510 per arboreal value point.

Sonoma County Code Chapter 13A declares hazardous vegetation and combustible material on unincorporated parcels a public nuisance. Owners must abate it - including cutting dry grasses and creating defensible space to 100 feet around structures. The County can inspect, order abatement, and lien properties for unpaid costs.

Routine pruning of your own trees generally needs no permit, but Sonoma County's defensible-space rules require trees pruned 6 feet up from the ground within 100 feet of structures, branches cleared 6 feet above roads, and all tree parts removed within 10 feet of chimneys. Heavy cutting of protected native trees can trigger tree-permit rules.

As of late 2025 there is no ban on artificial turf in unincorporated Sonoma County, but the County has raised environmental and health concerns and directed staff to develop a model ordinance that could let jurisdictions consider a moratorium. Installations tied to permitted projects must still satisfy the County's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.

In unincorporated Sonoma County, a building permit from Permit Sonoma is required for in-ground pools and spas. Plans must be prepared by a California-licensed civil or structural engineer and include fencing, drainage, and soils details under Permit Sonoma guideline CNI-044.

Beyond barriers, Permit Sonoma guideline CNI-044 requires anti-entrapment drains, GFCI-protected wiring, proper bonding, and approved underwater lighting for new pools, implementing California Building, Electrical, and Plumbing Code standards in the unincorporated County.

Permit Sonoma treats spas and hot tubs holding water deeper than 18 inches as swimming pools under guideline CNI-044, so a permit and the California Pool Safety Act's two-feature barrier rules apply. Many portable spas with locking covers can satisfy a safety feature.

New and remodeled private pools in unincorporated Sonoma County must be equipped with at least two of seven drowning-prevention safety features under the California Swimming Pool Safety Act, including isolation enclosure, mesh fencing, safety cover, door exit alarms, self-latching door devices, water-entry alarms, or equivalent.

Sonoma County does not impose ongoing water-quality or maintenance rules on private residential pools. Environmental Health inspects and permits only public pools and spas; private pool owners must maintain anti-entrapment drain covers installed at construction and keep barriers operable.

Permit Sonoma guideline CNI-044 implements the California Pool Safety Act: when a pool permit issues, at least two of seven drowning-prevention features are required. The isolation-enclosure option needs a barrier at least 60 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates opening away from the pool.

Permit Sonoma exempts prefabricated above-ground pools that do not exceed 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground from a building permit. Larger or in-ground above-ground installations need a permit, and pool-safety barrier rules still apply.

Sonoma County Zoning Code Section 26-88-121 limits a home occupation to one attached, non-illuminated sign no larger than 2 square feet in the unincorporated County. Larger, freestanding, or illuminated business signs are not allowed for home occupations.

Since Ordinance No. 6363 (2021), unincorporated Sonoma County no longer requires a zoning permit for a qualifying home occupation under Zoning Code Section 26-88-121. Operators must instead meet by-right standards on customers, hours, deliveries, and vehicles.

California's Homemade Food Act (HSC 113758) lets residents make approved non-perishable foods at home. In Sonoma County, Class A operations self-register and Class B operations get an inspected permit, both through the County Department of Health Services Environmental Health.

As of December 14, 2021, Sonoma County eliminated the zoning permit requirement for home occupations in unincorporated areas. Operators must still comply with the operational standards in Section 26-88-121.

Sonoma County Zoning Code Section 26-88-121 allows home occupations in agricultural, residential, and certain commercial zones without a zoning permit (per Ordinance No. 6363, 2021), subject to standards on floor area, employees, and customer visits in the unincorporated County.

Home occupations in unincorporated Sonoma County may receive no more than four customers per day, two at a time, and ten deliveries or pickups per week, with customer visits limited to 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

California law (HSC 1597.45-1597.46, as amended by SB 234) makes small and large family daycare homes a residential use by right. Sonoma County cannot require a use permit or impose a business license, fee, or tax to operate one; the state licenses providers.

Converting a garage into living space in unincorporated Sonoma County is most commonly done as an ADU or Junior ADU under County Code Secs. 26-88-060 and 26-88-061. A building permit is required to change the use from a garage to habitable space, and an existing-structure conversion ADU is allowed ministerially.

A permanently sited tiny home on a foundation is typically permitted in unincorporated Sonoma County as an ADU under County Code Sec. 26-88-060 (max generally 1,200 sq ft), processed ministerially. Movable tiny homes on wheels and RVs are not treated as permanent dwellings and face separate restrictions.

In unincorporated Sonoma County, detached residential accessory structures such as sheds need a building permit at 120 square feet or larger, per Permit Sonoma's policy. Sheds generally observe minimum side and rear setbacks and height limits, and must comply with the underlying zoning district's standards.

Per Permit Sonoma Policy 1-4-6 (implementing California Building Code Section 406.3 and Sonoma County Code Chapter 26), detached private garages are classified as Group U occupancy, must include a 10x20-foot vehicle parking area, and are capped at 3,000 square feet with no kitchen or bedroom allowed.

Unincorporated Sonoma County permits ADUs ministerially under County Code Sec. 26-88-060, implementing California ADU law (Gov. Code 66310+). Detached ADUs are generally allowed up to 1,200 sq ft with 4-foot side/rear setbacks. No zoning permit is required, but building and any related septic/water permits are.

Carports are treated as detached residential accessory structures in unincorporated Sonoma County. A building permit is required at 120 square feet or larger under Permit Sonoma's policy, and carports must meet the setback, height, and lot-coverage standards of the parcel's zoning district under Chapter 26.

Gas, propane, and electric barbecues are generally allowed in unincorporated Sonoma County and are not subject to the wood-smoke burn bans that can apply on Winter Spare the Air days. The California Fire Code adopted in County Code Chapter 13 sets clearance and safety expectations, and in Very High fire zones grills should be kept well clear of vegetation and structures.

Wood- and charcoal-fired smokers used for cooking are generally allowed in unincorporated Sonoma County and are not regulated as the open burning of vegetation. However, in the BAAQMD portion of the County, wood smoke is restricted on Winter Spare the Air Alert days, and all solid-fuel cooking carries wildfire risk that triggers Fire Code clearance and defensible-space caution.

Building setbacks in unincorporated Sonoma County are set by each zoning district in Chapter 26. In the R1 Low Density Residential district, the front yard must be at least 20 feet (and no structure closer than 45 feet to a road centerline), side yards at least 5 feet, and rear yards at least 20 feet. Other districts have different yards.

Maximum building height in unincorporated Sonoma County is set by each zoning district. In the R1 Low Density Residential district, the main building may be up to 35 feet and accessory buildings up to 15 feet, with additional height allowed only if a use permit is first secured. Other zones set their own limits.

Maximum lot coverage in unincorporated Sonoma County is set by zoning district. In the R1 Low Density Residential district, buildings may cover no more than 40% of the lot, with a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet and minimum average lot width of 60 feet. Swimming pools may be exempted from coverage by the planning director.

Removing protected native trees in unincorporated Sonoma County requires a permit under the Tree Protection Ordinance (Code 26-88-010): a zoning permit for native species 6 inches DBH or larger, and a use permit for hardwoods 36 inches+ and redwoods 48 inches+. Valley oaks in a Valley Oak Habitat Combining Zone and Heritage/Landmark trees (Chapter 26D) get extra protection.

In unincorporated Sonoma County, Permit Sonoma's Code Enforcement Division responds to complaints about junk, debris, and substandard property. Violations are typically declared public nuisances and must be abated, usually within 30 days, under the County Code's administrative enforcement procedures.

Unincorporated Sonoma County residents receive three weekly-collected carts (gray garbage, blue recycling, green compost) from franchised hauler Recology Sonoma Marin. Carts come in 20-, 32-, 64-, and 96-gallon sizes and must not be overstuffed; loose material set out without prior arrangement is not collected.

Under Sonoma County Code Chapter 13A, hazardous vegetation and combustible material on unimproved (vacant) parcels in unincorporated areas is a declared public nuisance. Owners must clear flammable growth within 10 feet of structures and roadway frontage and may face County abatement with cost recovery.

Sonoma County Code Chapter 13A requires year-round defensible space in unincorporated areas. On improved parcels, owners must keep grass cut to 6 inches or less and maintain a 30-foot defensible space; the County Fire Warden can order abatement and recover costs as a property lien.

Sonoma County publishes no specific garage-sale permit ordinance for unincorporated areas, and operating a business in the unincorporated county does not require a county business license. Occasional household yard sales are generally treated as incidental residential activity, not a regulated business use.

Unincorporated Sonoma County uses franchised solid-waste collection, primarily by Recology Sonoma Marin. Garbage, recycling, and compost carts are collected weekly. Carts should be at the curb the night before, since collection begins early in the morning.

Recology Sonoma Marin sets cart placement standards for unincorporated Sonoma County: carts no more than 2 feet from the curb, 3 feet from other carts or structures, 12 feet of vertical clearance, lid arrows facing the street, and clear of obstructions like parked cars and hydrants.

Unincorporated Sonoma County residents served by Recology Sonoma Marin get appointment-based bulky item pickup at no cost. Mattresses, appliances, furniture, bagged or bundled excess yard debris, and electronics qualify; schedule by contacting the hauler directly.

Recycling in Sonoma County is driven by California law. AB 341 requires recycling by businesses and multifamily complexes of 5+ units generating 4+ cubic yards/week. Unincorporated residents recycle through Recology's blue cart; organics and recyclables must be kept out of the landfill.

California's SB 1383 makes it unlawful to throw food waste in the garbage. In unincorporated Sonoma County, residents must separate organics into the green cart serviced by Recology Sonoma Marin or self-haul to a permitted facility. Tiered businesses must also recover edible food.

In unincorporated Sonoma County, campaign signs may be erected no earlier than 90 days before an election and must be removed within 20 days after the close of the campaign, per the County Registrar's campaign guide and Chapter 26 Article 84 design standards. State law (B&P Code 5405.3) caps temporary political signs at 32 sq ft.

Garage and yard sale signs in unincorporated Sonoma County are temporary signs governed by Article 84 (Sign Regulations) of the County Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 26 (Secs. 26-84 series). Signs must follow Article 84 size and placement standards and may not be posted in public rights-of-way or on utility poles.

Unincorporated Sonoma County has no single countywide dark-sky ordinance for all properties, but its Zoning Regulations (Chapter 26) require fully shielded, downward-cast lighting for many uses. For example, ADU and certain special-use standards require fully shielded, downward-facing fixtures and prohibit floodlights and uplights.

Sonoma County's Zoning Regulations (Chapter 26) address light spillover onto neighboring properties through use-specific standards and design review rather than a single trespass ordinance. Regulated uses must use fully shielded, downward-cast lighting so it does not wash onto other properties, and certain uses cap illuminance at the property line.

Unincorporated Sonoma County does not have a stand-alone juvenile-curfew ordinance applicable countywide. A 1997 proposal by the Board of Supervisors to impose an 11:00 p.m. weeknight and midnight weekend curfew on minors in unincorporated areas was debated but was not adopted as standing County code. Several Sonoma County cities have their own curfew ordinances (e.g., Santa Rosa Municipal Code Ch. 9-12, Petaluma Municipal Code 9.16, Sonoma Municipal Code), and California Welfare & Institutions Code Sec. 625.5 allows but does not require local curfew laws.

Sonoma County Regional Parks are open from 7 a.m. to sunset; parking lots and entry gates close when the parks close at sunset. Remaining in a park after closing is restricted under the County's park rules (Code of Ordinances Chapter 20, Parks and Recreation). Overnight use is limited to designated campgrounds.

Sonoma County operates under two separate Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) NPDES permits - one issued by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board for the Russian River basin and one by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board for southern Sonoma County. Chapter 11 of the Sonoma County Code prohibits discharge of any pollutant (including muddy construction runoff) to the storm-drain system or waters of the state. Development and redevelopment projects must implement Low-Impact Development (LID) post-construction stormwater controls.

Sonoma County Code Chapters 11 and 11A require construction-grading permits and Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control plans for almost any ground-disturbing work. During the October 15 - May 15 wet season, no more than 1 acre or 20% of the permitted work area (whichever is greater) may have erodible soil exposed at any time, and best management practices (BMPs) must be functional whenever the National Weather Service forecasts a 30% or greater chance of rain within 24 hours - in any season. Sonoma's hillside and vineyard/orchard grading rules (Chapter 36 VESCO) add further restrictions on slopes over 10%.

Sonoma County Code Chapter 7B (Flood Damage Prevention) implements the National Flood Insurance Program inside the unincorporated county. New construction and substantial improvements within FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas (the 100-year floodplain, including the F1 floodway and F2 floodplain zoning overlays) must elevate the lowest finished floor at least one foot above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) and use flood-resistant materials below the BFE. The FEMA Russian River watershed maps were finalized July 31, 2024.

On September 17, 2024, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 6496, the Residential Tenancy Protections Ordinance, which applies to rental units in unincorporated Sonoma County. The ordinance augments the statewide California Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482, Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2) by extending just-cause protections from day one of any covered tenancy, expanding coverage to income-restricted housing, narrowing the rent-nonpayment trigger, and increasing no-fault relocation payments.

Unincorporated Sonoma County does NOT have a local rent control ordinance. The 2024 Residential Tenancy Protections Ordinance (Ord. 6496) added eviction protections but did not adopt a local rent cap. The only annual rent-increase cap covering most Sonoma County tenants is California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482), codified at Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12, which limits increases to 5% + the regional CPI, with a 10% hard ceiling.