24.100 Public Notice.

A. Neighborhood Outreach Meeting. When an application for a major project (including SPAR, CUP, or other entitlement requiring public hearing) is within, immediately adjacent to, or in close proximity to a residential neighborhood, the applicant shall conduct neighborhood outreach to inform and solicit feedback from the neighborhood before the project application is scheduled for a public hearing. For purposes of this chapter, a “major project” is defined as a project that requires a public hearing before the Planning Commission, City Council, or Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee for action on the proposed entitlement, including but not always limited to SPAR, CUP, variance, floodway variance, General Plan and zoning amendments, and appeals.

1. Approach. The applicant is encouraged to utilize various methods for soliciting neighborhood input and to offer multiple opportunities for input during the review process. The applicant shall hold at least one neighborhood meeting prior to public hearing for all major projects. The meeting shall be open to the public and the applicant’s representatives shall be available to respond to comments and questions from the public.

2. Location. The applicant shall arrange a suitable location to host the meeting, whether on site or in close proximity to the project site. If it is anticipated that there will be heavy community feedback regarding the project, the applicant may not be able to accommodate the meeting in the immediate project vicinity due to the size of available space. In this case the applicant shall select a convenient location to the maximum extent possible.

3. Written Notice. Written notice of the neighborhood meeting shall be provided to all property owners and occupants within the applicable noticing radius in accordance with provision (C) of this section at least 10 days prior to the neighborhood meeting.

4. Timing. The applicant is encouraged to solicit neighborhood input early in the application process to ensure meaningful engagement and the opportunity to respond to input regarding the project design. The neighborhood meeting shall be held before the project is scheduled for public hearing. Additionally, for larger projects, the applicant is encouraged to conduct neighborhood outreach multiple times during the design process.

5. Summary. A copy of the public notice sent to neighbors shall also be sent to the Community Development Department to the attention of the assigned project planner. Prior to the public hearing on the project application, the applicant shall provide staff a written summary of all neighborhood outreach efforts, including date, time, place, attendance, and topics of primary interest to the attendees.

B. On-Site Posting. When an application requires a public meeting or hearing, the applicant shall install a sign on the project site in a place conspicuous to the public, at least 10 days before the scheduled public hearing or upon availability of the applicable environmental document for the project, in accordance with the following:

1. Height. The sign height shall not exceed six feet.

2. Size. The size of the sign shall comply with the following requirements:

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

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Parcel Size Minimum Size Area
Under 6,000 square feet or storefront 6 square feet
6,000 to 20,000 square feet 12 square feet
20,001 square feet to 1 acre 24 square feet
Over 1 acre 32 square feet
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3. Number of Signs. One sign shall be displayed on each public street frontage of the project site.

4. Placement. The signs shall be placed in a position most visible to the public. On a corner parcel the sign(s) shall not be located in the vision triangle as defined in Chapter 28.

Signs shall be set back at least five feet inside the project site property line for those project sites within residential zoning districts and at least one foot inside the property line for commercial, mixed use, business park, and industrial zoning districts. For properties located in other zones, including planned unit development or planned community district, the sign placement shall comply with the minimum setback for a similar type zone. For properties subject to a zero front setback or full lot coverage (such as properties in MU2 zoning districts), the required sign may be posted in the front storefront window or be affixed to the front of the building.

5. Content. Content of the on-site posting shall be in accordance with provision (D) of this section. The date, time, place of the hearing, and the name of the reviewing authority shall be presented in a font that is at least three times the size of the font used for other information on the sign.

   6. Verification. On or before the required date of on-site posting, the applicant shall submit a signed affidavit verifying installation of the required signage.

   7. Removal. The sign(s) shall be removed within 15 days of final decision of the reviewing authority on the application(s) or withdrawal of the application.

   8. The on-site sign posting requirements pursuant to this provision are in addition to and do not supplant other applicable noticing requirements specified in this Zoning Ordinance or state law.

• C. Mailed Notices. Mailed notices shall be sent to all property owners and occupants within a radius of the project site as specified by application type outlined below.

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Application Type Required Radius
Site Plan and Architectural Review 1,000 feet
Administrative Site Plan and Architectural Review 500 feet
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The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

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Application Type Required Radius
Historic Site Plan and Architectural Review 1,000 feet
Historic Site Plan and Architectural Review 500 feet
(Homeowner)
Administrative Historic Site Plan and Architectural 500 feet
Review
Conditional Use Permit 1,000 feet
Minor Use Permit 500 feet
Floodway Variance 1,000 feet
Variance 1,000 feet
Administrative Variance 500 feet
Tentative Parcel Map 500 feet
Tentative Subdivision Map 1,000 feet
General Plan Amendment (Citywide) None required
General Plan Amendment (Parcel Specific) 1,000 feet
Zoning Map/Text Amendment (Citywide) None required
Zoning Map/Text Amendment (Parcel Specific) 1,000 feet
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1. All projects requiring mailed notices shall also be sent to any person or group who has filed a written request with the Director for notice regarding project applications.

2. If the number of owners/occupants otherwise entitled to mailed notice pursuant to these provisions is greater than 1,000, in lieu of mailed notice, the applicant may provide notice by placing a display advertisement of at least one-eighth page in the Argus Courier at least 10 days prior to the public meeting or hearing.

   3. Content of the mailed notices shall be in accordance with provision (D) of this section.

• D. Content of Notice. On-site posting and mailed notice pursuant to provisions (B) and (C) of this section shall contain the following:

  1. The date, time, and place of the hearing and the name of the reviewing authority.

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

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Ch. 24 Administrative Procedures | Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance

2. The project name and address, name of the project applicant, the City’s file number assigned to the application, the requested entitlements, and a general project description.

3. A statement regarding compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the applicable level of environmental review, and whether the reviewing authority will also consider an environmental document (i.e., a negative declaration, mitigated negative declaration, or environmental impact report).

4. Project planner and contact information to permit interested persons to obtain additional information.

5. A brief description of the City’s procedure for submission of public comments.

E. Additional Noticing Methods. The City may also require the applicant to provide public notice in any other manner the City reasonably deems necessary or desirable to effect the purposes of this section. The City encourages applicants to utilize other methods to provide notice and solicit community engagement in addition to the noticing requirements as outlined in this section.

F. Failure to Receive Notification. The failure of any property owner, resident, neighborhood or community organization to receive a mailed notice or receive notice by any additional methods shall not affect the validity of any approval granted pursuant to this Zoning Ordinance. (Ord. 2811 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2022.)