Santa Rosa, CA

Home businesses in Santa Rosa must limit customer visits to avoid excessive traffic in residential neighborhoods. Client visits should be infrequent and not disrupt neighbors.

Under Santa Rosa Zoning Code Section 20-42.070, a home occupation is allowed in any residential zone only when it is clearly secondary to the primary residential use and will not change the residential character of the neighborhood. Several specific uses - including auto repair, kennels, pet grooming, animal hospitals, bee keeping, weapons or ammunition sales, welding shops, and woodworking or metal shops - are categorically prohibited as home occupations.

Santa Rosa requires a Home Occupation review for any business operated from a residence under Zoning Code Section 20-42.070, with a Zoning Clearance for low-impact (exempt) home businesses and a Minor Conditional Use Permit (MUP) when there are client visits or non-resident employees. A separate citywide Business Tax Certificate from the Finance Department is also required for every home-based business.

Per Santa Rosa Zoning Code Section 20-42.070, a home occupation must have no exterior signs except limited name identification allowed by Code. Citywide Chapter 20-38 (Signs) caps single-family residential signs at six square feet of area and six feet of height, and signs must sit at least five feet inside the property line.

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.

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.

Santa Rosa limits construction noise to daytime hours. Residential construction is generally permitted from 7 AM to 8 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 6 PM on weekends. Work outside these hours requires special approval.

Santa Rosa regulates noise under City Code Chapter 17-16. Unreasonable noise that disturbs the peace of residential neighborhoods is prohibited, with stricter enforcement during nighttime hours from 10 PM to 7 AM.

Santa Rosa addresses barking dogs under its animal control and nuisance provisions. Persistent barking that disturbs neighbors is considered a public nuisance. Sonoma County Animal Services handles complaints.

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.

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.

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.

Santa Rosa requires dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when in public places. Off-leash dogs are only permitted in designated dog parks.

Santa Rosa City Code Section 20-42.040 limits any residential lot to a total of five animals (domestic or exotic), of which no more than three may be dogs and no more than one may be a pot-bellied pig. Hens (no roosters) are allowed in addition to the five-animal limit, subject to a lot-size sliding scale.

California Health & Safety Code Section 122331 preempts breed-specific dangerous-dog declarations and bans, but expressly allows local mandatory spay/neuter rules. Santa Rosa City Code requires that all pit bulls over four months old kept in the City be spayed or neutered, and all dogs running at large be sterilized after citation.

Santa Rosa City Code Section 20-42.040 allows hens (no roosters) on any residential lot, with a sliding-scale limit of 3 to 30 hens depending on lot size, plus rear-yard coop setbacks of 5 to 20 feet. Larger livestock - horses, cows, hogs, goats, sheep - are permitted only in Rural Residential zones on parcels of at least 20,000 square feet.

Santa Rosa allows beekeeping in residential areas under Zoning Code Section 20-42.040. Hives must be set back from property lines and maintained to prevent nuisance conditions.

Santa Rosa follows California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations for exotic animals. Many exotic species require state permits, and some are completely prohibited. Local zoning may further restrict animal keeping.

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.

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.

Santa Rosa Chapter 20-48 does not set a specific minimum liability dollar figure for short-term rentals. The City's STR application packet asks operators to maintain liability coverage but does not publish a fixed amount; standard practice and platform guidance suggest at least $1 million. Most homeowner policies exclude paid stays under 30 days.

Santa Rosa caps overnight occupancy at two short-term renters per bedroom, not to exceed 10 people total. Daytime guests are limited to one-half the overnight occupancy between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., and outdoor amplified sound is prohibited at all times.

Santa Rosa requires a Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit for every property rented for less than 30 consecutive days. The City is no longer accepting new Non-Hosted applications; only Hosted STRs (where the owner's principal residence is on-site) are available to new applicants.

Santa Rosa imposes strict noise rules on short-term rentals. Quiet hours are 9 PM to 8 AM, and outdoor amplified sound is prohibited at all times. Violations can lead to permit revocation.

Santa Rosa requires short-term rental operators to collect and remit Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) at a rate set by city ordinance. All operators must register with the Finance Department.

Santa Rosa requires short-term rental properties to provide adequate off-street parking for guests. On-street parking by guests must not block driveways or violate local parking restrictions.

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.

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.

Santa Rosa Zoning Code Section 20-42.030 caps carports at 16 feet tall and requires the carport face to sit at least 19 feet back from the property line, curb, or sidewalk on street-facing lots. Any structure over 120 sq ft needs a building permit. Carports are subject to Design Review and the 2022 California Building Code.

Santa Rosa allows one ADU plus one JADU on single-family lots under Zoning Code Section 20-42.130, adopted by urgency Ordinance on March 3, 2020 to align with California Government Code Sections 65852.2 and 65852.22. Detached ADUs are capped at 1,200 sq ft with 4-ft side/rear setbacks and a 16-ft (one-story) or 27-ft (two-story) height limit; JADUs are capped at 500 sq ft and must sit entirely within the existing single-family dwelling walls.

Santa Rosa permits garage-to-ADU conversions ministerially under Zoning Code Section 20-42.130 with no replacement parking required and no setback required for existing legally constructed garages converted to an ADU with independent exterior access. Conversion to non-habitable storage requires a standard building permit, while conversion to habitable space (ADU or JADU) follows the city's 2020 ADU ordinance and California Government Code Sections 65852.2 and 65852.22.

Santa Rosa requires a building permit for any accessory structure over 120 square feet of floor area, per the city's Accessory Structure Requirements Policy (Policy No. 2.5.3, effective June 2, 2005, revised July 2011) which implements California Building Code Section 1808 and Santa Rosa Zoning Code Section 20-42.030. Sheds 120 sq ft or smaller are exempt from a structural permit but cannot be used as habitable or conditioned space, and any electrical or plumbing installation requires a separate permit.

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.

Santa Rosa's Hazardous Vegetation and Fuels Management Ordinance (ORD-2023-016, City Code Ch. 9-32) requires defensible space on every property in the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area (about 9,000 parcels), with specific tree-limbing, hazardous-vegetation removal, and a 5-foot ember-resistant zone. Property owners faced a January 1, 2025 compliance deadline and July 1, 2025 mulch deadline.

Possession, sale, gift, storage, or discharge of any fireworks — including 'Safe and Sane' — is illegal year-round in Santa Rosa under City Code 18-44.5608.2. Citations carry fines up to $1,000 plus possible misdemeanor jail time.

Burning trash, leaves, or debris in a backyard burn barrel, pit, or residential fireplace is prohibited in Santa Rosa. Recreational fires must follow the California Fire Code Chapter 3 (adopted at City Code Ch. 18-44), and short-term-rental properties are limited to gas-fueled fire features only.

Open burning of trash, debris, garbage, or hazardous waste is unlawful in Santa Rosa. Vegetative debris pile burning is permitted only for WUI parcels of 5+ acres under a Fire Department permit, and pile burn permits are suspended during the declared wildfire season (annually from approximately June 1 to November 1).

Gas-fueled (LPG or natural gas) fire pits are allowed in Santa Rosa with a 10-foot setback from combustible vegetation and overhanging tree limbs. Wood-fueled fire pits are treated as recreational fires under California Fire Code § 307 (adopted at City Code Ch. 18-44): max 3-foot diameter, 25-foot clearance, attendant required.

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.

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.

Santa Rosa City Code Section 20-30.060.G prohibits barbed wire fencing in residential, commercial, and other non-agricultural areas, allowing it only in agricultural, open space, or industrial areas. Barbed wire abutting residential uses requires a Minor Conditional Use Permit. In Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas, fences attached to dwellings or accessory structures must use non-combustible materials for the first 5 feet (or 3 feet if sprinklered).

Santa Rosa zoning permits standard residential fence materials (wood, vinyl, masonry, ornamental metal, chain link). Barbed wire, razor wire and electrified fencing are generally prohibited in residential zones.

Santa Rosa Zoning Code Section 20-30.060 caps residential fences at 36 inches within the front-yard or exterior-side setback, and 6 feet within an interior-side or rear-yard setback. A 6-foot fence with 2 feet of lattice (8 feet total) is allowed by right outside the front/street-side setback, but any fence over 7 feet requires a Building Permit.

Santa Rosa requires a Building Permit for any fence exceeding 7 feet in height. A 6-foot fence with 2 feet of lattice (8 feet total) is allowed by right without a zoning permit in interior side, rear, or out-of-setback locations, but the 7-foot Building Permit threshold still applies. Heights beyond the Table 3-1 limits also require a Minor Director Conditional Use Permit (not available in a vision triangle).

Santa Rosa follows California Civil Code for boundary fences. Costs for boundary fences are shared equally between neighbors. Disputes may be resolved through mediation.

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.

California's Swimming Pool Safety Act in Health and Safety Code Section 115920 mandates statewide drowning prevention barriers around residential pools, with cities prohibited from adopting weaker standards.

Santa Rosa has no city-wide ordinance banning overnight street parking on residential streets. The 72-hour limit and posted time-limited zones apply. The City operates a Safe Parking Program offering 52 designated overnight spaces for adults experiencing vehicular homelessness.

Santa Rosa City Code prohibits parking any vehicle on a public street or alley for more than 72 consecutive hours. Vehicles must be in running condition and moved at least once every 72 hours, or they may be towed under California Vehicle Code Section 22651(k).

Santa Rosa prohibits storing campers, trailers, boats, RVs, and similar vehicles in driveways, lawns, required side yards, or within required front (15 ft), side (5 ft), or rear (20 ft) setbacks for more than 72 consecutive hours. On streets, the standard 72-hour limit applies.

Santa Rosa requires driveways to meet zoning standards for width and materials. Vehicles must be parked on improved surfaces, not on front lawns or unpaved areas.

Santa Rosa City Code Chapter 11-28 prohibits parking any commercial vehicle, truck, or trailer over 10,000 pounds GVWR on any street within a residence or business district, except during active loading/unloading on the same block. Overnight parking (2 a.m. to 6 a.m.) of such vehicles is independently prohibited.

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.

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.

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.

Any new pool or spa, remodel, or removal in Santa Rosa requires a Building Permit issued through the Building Division (100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 3). Applications are filed through Permit Santa Rosa (Accela Citizen Access).

Santa Rosa enforces California Building Code Section 3109 and Health and Safety Code Section 115921-115922. Any pool enclosure used as a drowning-prevention feature must be at least 60 inches high, have gates that open away from the pool, and be self-closing and self-latching.

Santa Rosa follows California Health and Safety Code requirements for residential pools. Pools must have anti-entrapment drain covers, and at least two of seven approved safety features are required for new construction.

Above-ground pools in Santa Rosa must meet the same barrier and safety requirements as in-ground pools. Pools holding more than 18 inches of water require compliance with the California Building Code.

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.

Santa Rosa requires property owners to maintain trees so they do not obstruct sidewalks, streets, or sight lines. Branches must be trimmed to at least 8 feet over sidewalks and 14 feet over streets.

Santa Rosa requires property owners to maintain vegetation and prevent overgrown conditions. Grass and weeds exceeding 12 inches are considered a nuisance subject to abatement.

Santa Rosa enforces water conservation regulations including restrictions on outdoor watering days and times. The city is served by Sonoma Water and follows state drought regulations.

Santa Rosa protects certain trees through its Tree Preservation Ordinance. Removing heritage trees or trees over a specified diameter requires a permit. Protected trees include native oaks and other significant species.

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.

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.

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.

Santa Rosa has FEMA-designated flood zones primarily along Santa Rosa Creek and its tributaries. Development in flood zones requires elevation certificates, flood insurance, and compliance with local floodplain management regulations.

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%.

The California Coastal Act, Public Resources Code sections 30000 through 30900, requires Coastal Development Permits for nearly all work in the coastal zone and gives the Coastal Commission appeal jurisdiction over local decisions.

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.

California provides statewide protections for native oak woodlands and heritage trees through CEQA review, Public Resources Code, and Forest Practice Rules that apply uniformly.

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.

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.

California evictions run through the unlawful detainer process. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 1161, nonpayment requires a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit (excluding weekends and holidays), and lease violations require a 3-day notice to cure or quit. No-fault terminations of covered tenancies require 30, 60, or 90 days. Self-help lockouts are illegal.

California landlords must keep rentals fit to live in. Civil Code §§ 1941 and 1941.1, reinforced by Green v. Superior Court, imply a warranty of habitability covering plumbing, heat, water, electricity, and sanitation. If repairs fail after notice, a tenant may repair and deduct up to one month's rent under § 1942 or withhold rent.

California Civil Code § 1954 limits when a landlord may enter a rented home. Except in emergencies, abandonment, or with tenant consent, the landlord must give reasonable written notice (24 hours is presumed reasonable) and may enter only during normal business hours, for specific permitted reasons such as repairs, inspections, or showings.

California sets no fixed dollar or percentage cap on rent late fees, but a late fee in a residential lease is treated as liquidated damages. Under Civil Code § 1671, such a fee is valid only if it reasonably estimates the landlord's actual loss from late payment; arbitrary penalty fees are unenforceable.

To end a California month-to-month tenancy, a tenant gives 30 days' written notice. A landlord gives 30 days if the tenant has lived there under a year, or 60 days if a year or more, under Civ. Code § 1946.1. AB 1482 requires just cause after 12 months; military and DV tenants may exit early.

California requires written notice before raising a month-to-month tenant's rent. Under Civ. Code § 827, increases of 10% or less in 12 months need 30 days' notice; increases above 10% need 90 days' notice. AB 1482 separately caps yearly increases on covered units.

As of July 1, 2024, California landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit, regardless of whether the unit is furnished. The deposit, minus any lawful deductions, must be returned with an itemized statement within 21 days after move-out, or the landlord risks penalties of up to twice the deposit.

California adverse possession requires five years of continuous, open, hostile possession AND payment of all property taxes during that period under Code of Civil Procedure § 325. A squatter or trespasser who has not paid taxes gains no ownership and can be removed by unlawful detainer, ejectment, or a police trespass action.

Health and Safety Code section 11362.2 grants every adult 21 or older the statewide right to cultivate up to six cannabis plants indoors, and bars local governments from completely prohibiting indoor personal cultivation.

Commercial drone operations in California follow uniform federal rules under 14 CFR Part 107 plus statewide California provisions in Civil Code 1708.8 and Public Utilities Code 21401, with local rules limited to ground-based regulation.

Recreational drone flight in California is governed primarily by FAA regulations under 14 CFR Part 107 and 49 USC 44809, with state-level rules added by Civil Code 1708.8 and Government Code 853 applying uniformly statewide.

California sets a statewide minimum wage floor under Labor Code 1182.12, currently $16.50 per hour for all employers as of 2025. Local governments are not preempted and may set higher minimums; many cities exceed the state rate substantially.

California's Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act under Labor Code 245-249 mandates paid sick leave for nearly all employees statewide. SB 616 (2023) raised the minimum to 40 hours or five days annually effective January 2024, applying universally.

California regulates concealed carry weapons licenses statewide under Penal Code 26150 through 26225. Senate Bill 2 (2023) imposes uniform sensitive-place restrictions and applicant standards, preempting local variations on issuance criteria and qualifications.

California preempts most local firearm regulation under Government Code 53071 and Penal Code 25605, reserving licensing, registration, and manufacture authority to the state. However, local governments retain limited authority over discharge, sensitive places, and zoning of gun businesses.

California broadly prohibits open carry of firearms statewide under Penal Code 25850 (loaded firearms in public) and Penal Code 26350 (open carry of unloaded handguns). The prohibition applies uniformly across all California cities and counties without local variation.

California prohibits carrying loaded firearms in vehicles statewide under Penal Code 25400 and 25850. Unloaded handguns transported in private vehicles must be in a locked container or the vehicle's locked trunk; long guns must be unloaded but need not be locked.

California Retail Food Code (Health and Safety Code 113700-114437) sets uniform mobile food facility permit, equipment, and food safety standards enforced by counties statewide.

California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946) preempts most local bans on sidewalk vending, allowing only objective health, safety, and welfare regulations.

California HOAs may levy regular and special assessments, charge late fees and interest, record liens, and ultimately foreclose on delinquent owners under the Davis-Stirling Act. State law (Civil Code sections 5650-5740) caps fees and interest and imposes strict notice steps and a delinquency threshold before any foreclosure may proceed.

California tightly regulates HOA governance. The Common Interest Development Open Meeting Act (Civil Code 4900-4955) governs board meetings and member access, sections 5100-5145 mandate secret-ballot elections with independent inspectors, and sections 5200-5240 give members broad rights to inspect association records.

California HOAs enforce recorded CC&Rs and architectural rules, but Civil Code section 4765 requires architectural decisions to be fair, reasonable, and in good faith, and sections 5900-5965 require internal dispute resolution plus an attempt at alternative dispute resolution before most enforcement lawsuits can be filed.

California HOAs may fine members for rule violations, but only under a published schedule of fines and after strict due-process steps. Civil Code section 5855 requires written notice and a hearing before any monetary penalty, and section 5725 bars fines from becoming a foreclosable lien on the home.

California overrides HOA governing documents on several owner protections. The Davis-Stirling Act and related Civil Code sections bar HOAs from prohibiting solar systems, U.S. flag displays, drought-tolerant landscaping, EV charging stations, and most noncommercial signs, even where local city rules are silent.

California prohibits state and local governments from requiring private employers to use the federal E-Verify system except where federal law mandates it, under Government Code 7285.1 and 7285.3. The restriction applies uniformly to every California city and county.

The California Values Act (SB 54, 2017) codified at Government Code 7284-7284.12 limits state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It applies uniformly to every California agency and bars participation in most civil immigration enforcement.

The California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Williamson Act), Government Code 51200-51297.4, allows landowners to enter contracts with counties restricting land to agricultural use for ten-year minimum terms in exchange for reduced property tax assessment based on farming income.

The California Right to Farm Act under Civil Code 3482.5 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits brought by neighbors who moved in after farming began. The law applies statewide and limits both private and local government nuisance actions.

California prohibits grocery stores and large retailers from providing single-use plastic carryout bags under Public Resources Code 42280-42288, enacted by SB 270 (2014) and ratified as Proposition 67 in 2016. Recycled paper or reusable bags require a 10-cent minimum charge.

California restricts expanded polystyrene food containers statewide through SB 54 (2022) packaging requirements under Public Resources Code 42040-42081. The law mandates that polystyrene foodware achieve 25 percent recycling by 2025 or face statewide sales prohibition.

California Public Resources Code 42270-42273, enacted by AB 1884 (2018), prohibits full-service restaurants from providing single-use plastic straws unless requested by the customer. The on-request rule applies uniformly to dine-in restaurants statewide.

Civil Code section 714 voids HOA covenants and rules that prohibit or unreasonably restrict residential solar energy systems, preempting private and local restrictions.

California's Solar Rights Act and the SolarAPP+ mandate (SB 379) require expedited permit review of small residential solar systems, preempting restrictive local processes.

California prohibits sale of tobacco and vapor products to anyone under 21 statewide under Business and Professions Code 22958, enacted by SBX2-7 in 2016. The Tobacco 21 standard applies uniformly across all California jurisdictions.

California bans retail sale of most flavored tobacco products statewide under Health and Safety Code 104559.5, enacted by SB 793 (2020) and upheld by voters via Proposition 31 in November 2022. The ban applies uniformly to all California retailers.

California requires statewide licensing of tobacco and vape retailers under the STAKE Act and the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act. Business and Professions Code 22970 establishes uniform retailer licensing, while local governments may adopt stricter rules.