Sonoma County Municipal Code Art. II Glossary

This article provides definitions of terms and phrases used in this chapter that are technical or specialized, or that may not reflect common usage. If any definition in this article conflicts with definitions in other provisions of this code, the definitions herein shall control for the purposes of this chapter. If a word is not defined in this article, the director shall determine the correct definition.

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

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

"CALFIRE." California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection or successor agency.

"Director." The director of the permit and resource management department of the county, or his or her authorized representative.

"Displaced person(s)." A county resident or residents whose primary dwelling was destroyed by the Glass Incident, or whose primary dwelling was so damaged by the Glass Incident that said dwelling is uninhabitable. Displaced person(s) may, in the discretion of the director, be required to provide verification to the county to substantiate eligibility for uses, permits and/or approvals described in this chapter. Required evidence of displacement may include a driver's license or other government-issued identification card, utility bill, or similar document demonstrating that as of September 27, 2020, the resident's primary dwelling was on a fire-damaged lot in the Glass Incident burn area. Agricultural employees who as of September 27, 2020 resided in employer-provided housing or other shelter on a fire-damaged lot as defined in this chapter shall be deemed displaced persons without necessity of providing documentary evidence of displacement.

"Effective date." The date of board adoption of this chapter.

"FEMA." The Federal Emergency Management Agency or successor agency. "Fire-damaged lot." A lot, as defined in Section 26-02-140 of this code, that as of September 26, 2020, contained a legal permitted or legal non-conforming structure that was subsequently was damaged or destroyed by the Glass Incident.

"Glass Incident." The wildfires in Sonoma County that began on or about September 27, 2020 and were designated by CALFIRE as part of the multi-county "Glass Incident," as referenced in Board of Supervisors Resolution 20-0363 and the September 29, 2020 Proclamation of a State of Emergency by Governor Gavin Newsom.

"Glass Incident burn area" and "burn area" refers to all of that land contained within the perimeter of the Glass Incident within the county of Sonoma, as mapped by CALFIRE.

"Manufactured home." For purposes of this chapter, "manufactured home" means one (1) or both of the following: (1) manufactured home as defined in Section 26.02.040 of this code; or (2) any type of temporary housing provided by or authorized for use by FEMA for housing related to recovery from the Glass Incident.

"Reconstruction." Replacement or substantial repair, on the same fire-damaged lot and with no change in use, of a conforming or legal non-conforming structure that was either destroyed by the Glass Incident or was so structurally damaged that the structure cannot be inhabited or occupied.

"Recreational vehicle." A motor home, travel trailer, truck camper or camping trailer that is:

(1) Self-contained and designed for human habitation for recreational or emergency occupancy;

(2) Self-propelled, truck-mounted, or permanently towable on California roadways; and

(3) A California Department of Motor Vehicles licensed vehicle; or a similar vehicle or structure as determined by the director.

"Repair." Repair of a structure damaged by the Glass Incident, with no change in use.

"Residential zoning district." Those zoning districts identified in Articles 16-24 of Chapter 26 of this code. For purposes of this chapter only, a lot located in the coastal zone and CC combining district is not located in a "residential zoning district."

"Residential lot." A legal lot located in any zoning district provided in Chapter 26 of this code that contains a legal permitted or legal nonconforming dwelling.

"Temporary emergency housing." For purposes of this chapter, "temporary emergency housing" shall include a recreational vehicle as defined in this section, or a manufactured home as defined in this chapter, that is occupied by one (1) or more displaced persons in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.

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