Earlier editions: 2026-09
Chapter 26C — COASTAL ZONING RESOURCE DISTRICTS
Sonoma County Municipal Code Art. XL Local Area Development Guidelines
Sonoma County Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Sonoma County
Cite as: Sonoma County Municipal Code Article XL · Text as of 2026-10-04
Sec. 26C-400. - Purpose.¶
The purpose of these guidelines and standards are to implement General Plan Land Use Element policies and programs to protect and enhance the unique character of specific unincorporated communities and areas, as designated by the Board, while allowing for land uses and development authorized in the General Plan Land Use Element. This article provides a greater level of detail for the desired character of development in a local area.
(Ord. No. 6058, § III(a), Exh. A, 2-4-2014)
Sec. 26C-401. - Applicability.¶
A. Applicable areas. The provisions of this article apply within the boundaries of the following local areas of Article XLI Local Guidelines (LG) Combining Zone as identified in the Zoning Database:
- Highway 116 Scenic Corridor (LG/116)
B. Applicable projects. Within the LG zone, provisions of this Article apply to the following types of projects:
Discretionary projects. This article applies to each proposed development and new land use that is subject to a discretionary land use permit under this Development Code; and
Ministerial projects. This article applies to each building permit or other ministerial permit, unless an exemption is contained in the Section herein specific to that local area.
The table below summarizes the permit requirements of each area:
| Local Area Development Guideline | Exempt Projects | Design Review Permit | Design Review Permit | Design Review Permit | Planning Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Area Development Guideline | Exempt Projects | Ministerial Projects (building permits) for exterior modification or new structures | Discretionary Projects (Use Permits, Subdivision, Design Review as otherwise required by code) | Public Projects | Building Permit for new dwelling or Sewer/ |
| Hwy 116 | Discretionary projects not visible from Hwy | No | Yes | Yes |
(Ord. No. 6058, § III(a), Exh. A, 2-4-2014)
Sec. 26C-402. - Adoption/amendment of local area guidelines and standards.¶
New Local Area Guidelines and Standards and amendments shall be reviewed and approved in compliance with Article XXXVI (Amendments). Concurrent with the establishment of any new Local Area Guidelines and Standards area, all subject properties shall be rezoned to the LG (Local Guidelines) combining zone with an appropriate title and suffix referencing specific area. Local Area Guidelines and Standards shall be listed in Article XLI (Local Guidelines Combining Zone).
(Ord. No. 6058, § III(a), Exh. A, 2-4-2014)
Sec. 26C-403. - Permit requirements for all local area guidelines and standards.¶
A. Design and site plan review required. Unless specifically exempt within this article, each discretionary land use permit and ministerial permit that results in exterior modifications or new development within a LG (Local Guidelines) combining zone shall be reviewed and approved in compliance with Article XXIX (Design Review), and a Design Review or Administrative Design and Review Permit shall be required prior to construction permit issuance to implement the provisions of the applicable Local Area Guidelines and Standards. This design and site plan review requirement is in addition to any other required permits (Building Permit, Zoning Permit, Conditional Use Permit, Subdivision, etc.).
B. Review authority. The review authority shall be the highest review authority designated by Section 26C-331.2 (Concurrent Processing of Related Applications). Where only a Building, Grading, or Drainage Permit is required, the Director or his/her designee shall be the review authority for the Administrative Design Review.
(Ord. No. 6058, § III(a), Exh. A, 2-4-2014)
Sec. 26C-404. - Highway 116 Scenic Corridor (116).¶
A. Purpose. The purpose of The Highway 116 Scenic Corridor Study is to provide for the protection and enhancement of the scenic corridor along State Route 116 in Sonoma County.
B. Additional permit requirements or exemptions. In addition to the requirements of Section 26C-403 (Permit requirements for all Local Area Guidelines and Standards), the following applies:
Projects that require only ministerial approval, such as building permits, are exempt from the requirements of this section.
Discretionary projects within the Highway 116 Scenic Corridor Study boundary, but not visible from Highway 116 are exempt from the requirements of this section upon approval of a Zoning Permit with sufficient documentation to verify that the project would not be visible from Highway 116.
As authorized by the Scenic Highway 116 Guidelines, Cal-trans highway projects, County public works projects, and public utility projects shall use the Scenic Highway 116 Guidelines protective measures in the design and construction of public projects in the Scenic Highway 116 boundaries.
C. Standards. Applicable development shall be reviewed and approved in compliance with the most current version of Sonoma Highway 116 Scenic Highway Corridor Study on file at the Permit and Resource Management Department.
D. Boundaries. The guidelines established by this Section apply to all properties shown in the Zoning Database as being within the LG/116 (Local Guidelines/Highway 116 Scenic Corridor) combining zone.
(Ord. No. 6058, § III(a), Exh. A, 2-4-2014)
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