Sonoma County Municipal Code Art. IV Additional Housing and Recovery Provisions

Chapter 26 of this code allows seasonal and extended seasonal farmworker housing in certain agricultural zoning districts to be occupied for not more than one hundred eighty (180) days in any calendar year, subject to regulation under Title 25 of the California Code of Regulations. Notwithstanding these provisions, during the term of this chapter seasonal farmworker housing and extended seasonal farmworker housing may be occupied for up to three hundred sixty-five (365) days per year, provided that such farmworker housing shall remain subject to all other applicable regulations, limitations and standards, including habitability requirements. However, park and traffic mitigation fees described in Section 26-88-010(l)(13) of this code shall not become due or payable as the result of any temporary extension of seasonal occupancy.

(Ord. No. 6501, § V(Exh. C), 12-10-2024; Ord. No. 6398, § V(Exh. C), 12-13-2022)

Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this code and during the term of this chapter, existing legally permitted guest houses, pool houses, and residential accessory structures may be rented as temporary housing for persons displaced by the LNU Lightning Complex Fires, but shall remain subject to all other existing regulations and limitations, including habitability standards. Residential occupancy of such structures shall no longer be a legal use under the county code after the expiration of this chapter provided in Section 40C-5. In all such cases, the lot owner shall be responsible for notifying tenants of the temporary nature of the housing. This section does not apply in the coastal zone.

(Ord. No. 6501, § V(Exh. C), 12-10-2024; Ord. No. 6398, § V(Exh. C), 12-13-2022)

Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this code or use permit conditions and during the term of this chapter only, marketing accommodations, farmstays, bed and breakfast inns, resorts, retreats, camps and similar visitor serving uses outside the coastal zone may be used as housing for displaced persons.

(Ord. No. 6501, § V(Exh. C), 12-10-2024; Ord. No. 6398, § V(Exh. C), 12-13-2022)

(a) Existing dwellings. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this code, existing main or primary dwellings on agricultural lots and farm family dwellings as defined in Chapter 26 may be used by or rented to displaced persons for periods longer than thirty (30) consecutive days, provided that such use or rental does not displace agricultural employees or farmworkers.

(b) Recreational vehicles. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this code and during the term of this chapter only, up to two (2) recreational vehicles may be used as temporary emergency housing for displaced persons on lots in LIA, LEA and DA zoning districts outside the coastal zone and LNU Lightning Complex Fires burn area, subject to the permitting requirements, term limits, and standards in Section 40C-30 above. A county permit or other administrative approval is required prior to initiating use of recreational vehicles under this section. Use of recreational vehicles as temporary emergency housing shall not be allowed on any lot with health or safety hazards, as determined in the discretion of the director.

(Ord. No. 6501, § V(Exh. C), 12-10-2024; Ord. No. 6398, § V(Exh. C), 12-13-2022)

During the term of this chapter, building and zoning permit fees shall be waived for any new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that is constructed on a fire-damaged lot along with a reconstructed single-household dwelling, provided that the ADU meets all other applicable standards.

(Ord. No. 6501, § V(Exh. C), 12-10-2024; Ord. No. 6398, § V(Exh. C), 12-13-2022)

Safe parking programs for persons displaced by the LNU Lightning Complex Fires may be permitted as provided in Section 40-44 of this code.

(Ord. No. 6501, § V(Exh. C), 12-10-2024; Ord. No. 6398, § V(Exh. C), 12-13-2022)

(a) Structures on lots exceeding allowable density. Legal nonconforming dwellings that were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by the LNU Lightning Complex Fires that exceeded allowable density for the applicable lot may be reconstructed and expanded in floor area by ten percent (10%) of the original floor area, subject to compliance with applicable well and septic standards.

(b) Original footprint. Nonconforming residential structures destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by the LNU Lightning Complex Fires need not be reconstructed on the original foundation footprint. Structures that conform to allowable density may be reconstructed and expanded, subject to lot coverage and setback requirements and to all other applicable requirements of the code, provided that the improvements do not increase the existing nonconforming portion of the structure.

(c) This section does not apply in the coastal zone.

(Ord. No. 6501, § V(Exh. C), 12-10-2024; Ord. No. 6398, § V(Exh. C), 12-13-2022)