Article 08 — Residential Zones
Sonoma County Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Sonoma County
New Code Existing Code Ordinance Reference
26-8-010 - Purpose of Article -
26-8-020 - Purpose of Residential Zones
A. General -
B. Specific
B1. Agriculture and Sec. 26-16-005. - Purpose (Ord. No. 5964, § VII, 1-31-2012; Ord. No. 4643, 1993.) Residential (AR)
B2. Rural Residential (RR) Sec. 26-18-005. - Purpose (Ord. No. 4643, 1993.)
B3. Low Density Residential Sec. 26-20-005. - Purpose (Ord. No. 4643, 1993.) (R1)
B4. Medium Density Sec. 26-22-005. - Purpose (Ord. No. 6247, § II (Exh. C), 10-23-2018) Residential (R2)
B5. High Density Residential Sec. 26-24-005. - Purpose (Ord. No. 4643, 1993.) (R3)
26-8-030 - Allowed Land Uses
A. General. Table 8-1 Sec. 26-16-010. - Permitted (Ord. No. 6223, § IX, 5-8-2018; Ord. No. 6191, § V(Exh. D), 1-24-2017; Ord. No. 6189, §§ II(G), uses (I), (K), 12-20-2016; Ord. No. 6145, § V, 3-15-2016; Ord. No. 6089, § I(b), 11-24-2014; Ord. No. 6081, § V, 7-29-2014; Ord. No. 5964, § VII, 1-31-2012; Ord. No. 5908, § II, 11-9-2010; Ord. No. 5883, § III, 3-30-2010; Ord. No. 5569, § 7, 2005; Ord. No. 5435, § 2(n), 2003; Ord. No. 5429, § 3(a), 2003; Ord. No. 5361, § 2(g), 2002; Ord. No. 5342, § 4, 2002; Ord. No. 5265, § 1(h), 2001; Ord. No. 5016, § 1(F), 1997; Ord. No. 4985, § 1(b), 1996; Ord. No. 4973, § 5(a), 1996; Ord. No. 4723, § 1(g), 1993; Ord. No. 4653, § 1(h), 1993; Ord. No. 4643, 1993.)
Sec. 26-16-020. - Uses (Ord. No. 6189, § II(L), 12-20-2016; Ord. No. 6145, § V, 3-15-2016; Ord. No. 6081, § VI, 7-29-
permitted with a use permit 2014; Ord. No. 5964, § VII, 1-31-2012; Ord. No. 5908, § II, 11-9-2010; Ord. No. 5883, § III, 3-
30-2010; Ord. No. 5569, § 7, 2005; Ord. No. 5435, § 2(o), 2003; Ord. No. 5429, § 3, 2003; Ord.
No. 5361, § 2(o), 2002; Ord. No. 5342, § 5, 2002; Ord. No. 5265, 1(i), 2001; Ord. No. 4973, §
5(b), (c), 1996; Ord. No. 4781, § 2(B), 1994; Ord. No. 4643, 1993; Ord. No. 3376; Ord. No. 3662;
Ord. No. 3403)
Sec. 26-18-010. - Permitted (Ord. No. 6191, § V(Exh. D), 1-24-2017; Ord. No. 6189, §§ II(G), (I), (K), 12-20-2016; Ord. No.
uses 6145, § V, 3-15-2016; Ord. No. 6089, § I(b), 11-24-2014; Ord. No. 5908, § II, 11-9-2010; Ord.
No. 5883, § III, 3-30-2010; Ord. No. 5569 § 7, 2005; Ord. No. 5435 § 2(p), 2003; Ord. No. 5429
§ 3(a), 2003; Ord. No. 5361 § 2(h), 2002; Ord. No. 5342 § 4, 2002; Ord. No. 5265 § 1(j), 2001;
Ord. No. 5016 § 1(G), 1997; Ord. No. 4985 § (c), 1996; Ord. No. 4973 § 5(a), 1996; Ord. No. 4653 § 1(i), 1993; Ord. No. 4643, 1993.)
Sec. 26-18-020. - Uses (Ord. No. 6145, § V, 3-15-2016; Ord. No. 5908, § II, 11-9-2010; Ord. No. 5883, § III, 3-30-2010;
permitted with a use permit Ord. No. 5569 § 7, 2005; Ord. No. 5435 § 2(q), 2003; Ord. No. 5429 § 3, 2003; Ord. No. 5361 §
2(p), 2002; Ord. No. 5342 § 5, 2002; Ord. No. 5265 § 1(k), 2001; Ord. No. 4973 § 5(b), (c), 1996;
Ord. No. 4781 § 2(B), 1994; Ord. No. 4643, 1993.)
Sec. 26-20-010. - Permitted (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. B), 10-23-2018)¶
Sec. 26-20-020. - Uses (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. B), 10-23-2018)¶
Sec. 26-22-010. - Permitted (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. C), 10-23-2018)¶
Sec. 26-22-020. - Uses (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. C), 10-23-2018)¶
permitted with a use permit
Sec. 26-24-010. - Permitted (Ord. No. 6223, § XVIII, 5-8-2018; Ord. No. 6191, § V(Exh. D), 1-24-2017; Ord. No. 6189, § II(G),
uses 12-20-2016; Ord. No. 5883, § III, 3-30-2010; Ord. No. 5569 § 7, 2005; Ord. 5429 § 4(a), 2003;
Ord. 4973 § 6(a), 1996; Ord. No. 4643, 1993; Ord. No. 3511.)
Sec. 26-24-020. - Uses (Ord. No. 5975, § I, 3-20-2012; Ord. No. 5883, § III, 3-30-2010; Ord. No. 5429 § 4(c), 2003; Ord.
permitted with a use permit No. 4973 § 6(b), (c), 1996; Ord. No. 4643, 1993.)
B. Additional Planning Permits -
26-8-040 - Development Standards
A. General Sec. 26-16-030. - Permitted (Ord. No. 5964, § VII, 1-31-2012; Ord. No. 5711 § 7 (Exh. H), § 8 (Exh. I), 2007; Ord. No. 4973 § B. Local Area Development residential density and 5(d), 1996; Ord. No. 4927 §§ 1, 6, 11, 1996; Ord. No. 4643, 1993; Ord. No. 3932.) Guidelines development criteria
Sec. 26-18-030. - Permitted (Ord. No. 5711, § 7 (Exh. H), § 8 (Exh. I), 2007; Ord. No. 4973, § 5(d), 1996; Ord. No. 4927, §§ 1,
residential density and 6, 8, 11, 1996; Ord. No. 4643, 1993; Ord. No. 3932.)
development criteria
Sec. 26-20-030. - Permitted (Ord. No. 5711 § 8 (Exh. I), 2007; Ord. No. 5569 § 12, 2005; Ord No. 5429 § 4(d), 2003; Ord.
residential density and No. 5009 § 1(C), 1997; Ord. No. 4973 § 6(d), 1996; Ord. No. 4927 § 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 1996; Ord.
development criteria No. 4839 § 1(B), 1994; Ord. No. 4837 § 1(A), 1994; Ord. No. 4643, 1993; Ord. No. 3932.)
Sec. 26-22-030. - Permitted (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. C), 10-23-2018)¶
residential density and development criteria
Sec. 26-24-030. - Permitted (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. D), 10-23-2018)¶
residential density and development criteria.
C. Affordable Housing Sec. 26-20-020(j) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. B), 10-23-2018)
Sec. 26-20-030(a) (Ord. No. 5711 § 8 (Exh. I), 2007; Ord. No. 5569 § 12, 2005; Ord No. 5429 § 4(d), 2003; Ord.
No. 5009 § 1(C), 1997; Ord. No. 4973 § 6(d), 1996; Ord. No. 4927 § 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 1996; Ord.
No. 4839 § 1(B), 1994; Ord. No. 4837 § 1(A), 1994; Ord. No. 4643, 1993; Ord. No. 3932.)
26-22-010(k) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. C), 10-23-2018)
26-24-010(k) (Ord. No. 6223, § XVIII, 5-8-2018; Ord. No. 6191, § V(Exh. D), 1-24-2017; Ord. No. 6189, § II(G),
12-20-2016; Ord. No. 5883, § III, 3-30-2010; Ord. No. 5569 § 7, 2005; Ord. 5429 § 4(a), 2003;
Ord. 4973 § 6(a), 1996; Ord. No. 4643, 1993; Ord. No. 3511.)
26-24-020(k) (Ord. No. 5975, § I, 3-20-2012; Ord. No. 5883, § III, 3-30-2010; Ord. No. 5429 § 4(c), 2003; Ord.
No. 4973 § 6(b), (c), 1996; Ord. No. 4643, 1993.)
26-24-030(a) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. D), 10-23-2018)
D. Cottage Housing 26-20-010(l) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. B), 10-23-2018)
26-20-020(l) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. B), 10-23-2018)
26-22-010(u) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. C), 10-23-2018)
26-22-030 (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. C), 10-23-2018)
E. R2 Multi-Family 26-22-030 (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. C), 10-23-2018)
F. Density Standards
F1. Reduced Density in 26-20-030(a) (Ord. No. 5711 § 8 (Exh. I), 2007; Ord. No. 5569 § 12, 2005; Ord No. 5429 § 4(d), 2003; Ord. Residential Zones No. 5009 § 1(C), 1997; Ord. No. 4973 § 6(d), 1996; Ord. No. 4927 § 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 1996; Ord.
No. 4839 § 1(B), 1994; Ord. No. 4837 § 1(A), 1994; Ord. No. 4643, 1993; Ord. No. 3932.)
26-22-030(a) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. C), 10-23-2018)
26-24-030(a) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. D), 10-23-2018)
F2. R3 Density Equivalents 26-24-030(a) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. D), 10-23-2018)
G. Lot Size Standards
G1. AR Zone 26-16-030(b) (Ord. No. 5964, § VII, 1-31-2012; Ord. No. 5711 § 7 (Exh. H), § 8 (Exh. I), 2007; Ord. No. 4973 § 5(d), 1996; Ord. No. 4927 §§ 1, 6, 11, 1996; Ord. No. 4643, 1993; Ord. No. 3932.)
G2. RR Zone 26-18-030(b) (Ord. No. 5711, § 7 (Exh. H), § 8 (Exh. I), 2007; Ord. No. 4973, § 5(d), 1996; Ord. No. 4927, §§ 1, 6, 8, 11, 1996; Ord. No. 4643, 1993; Ord. No. 3932.)
G3. Williamson Act Lands New cross reference -
G4. Clustered Development New cross reference -
H. Height Standards
H1. Increased Building Height New cross reference -
H2. Solar Impacts - R2 Zone 26-22-030(b) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. C), 10-23-2018)
H3. R3 Increased Height 26-24-030(b)(2) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. D), 10-23-2018)
H4. R3 Abutting R1 and R2 26-24-030(b)(3) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. D), 10-23-2018)
I. Lot Coverage
I1. AR Zone 26-16-030(e) (Ord. No. 5964, § VII, 1-31-2012; Ord. No. 5711 § 7 (Exh. H), § 8 (Exh. I), 2007; Ord. No. 4973 § 5(d), 1996; Ord. No. 4927 §§ 1, 6, 11, 1996; Ord. No. 4643, 1993; Ord. No. 3932.)
I2. R3 Zone 26-24-040(e) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. D), 10-23-2018)
I3. Farm Operations in RR New cross reference - Zone
I4. Greenhouses and New cross reference - Swimming Pools
J. Setbacks
J1. R2 Abutting R1 or R2 26-22-030(b)(1) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. C), 10-23-2018)
J2. R2 and R3 Setback 26-22-030(f) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. C), 10-23-2018) Adjustments
26-24-030(f) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. D), 10-23-2018)
J3. R3 Porches 26-24-030(f)(1) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. D), 10-23-2018)
J4. Other Exceptions and New cross reference - Adjustments
J5. Agricultural Buffers
26-18-030(f) (Ord. No. 5711, § 7 (Exh. H), § 8 (Exh. I), 2007; Ord. No. 4973, § 5(d), 1996; Ord. No. 4927, §§ 1,
6, 8, 11, 1996; Ord. No. 4643, 1993; Ord. No. 3932.)
26-20-030(f) (Ord. No. 5711 § 8 (Exh. I), 2007; Ord. No. 5569 § 12, 2005; Ord No. 5429 § 4(d), 2003; Ord.
No. 5009 § 1(C), 1997; Ord. No. 4973 § 6(d), 1996; Ord. No. 4927 § 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 1996; Ord.
No. 4839 § 1(B), 1994; Ord. No. 4837 § 1(A), 1994; Ord. No. 4643, 1993; Ord. No. 3932.)
26-22-030(f) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. C), 10-23-2018)
New Code Existing Code Ordinance Reference
26-24-030(f) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. D), 10-23-2018
K. Waived Covered Parking New cross reference - for Single-Family Dwellings
L. Subdivisions for Farm New cross reference - Worker Housing
M. Planned Developments 26-18-020(a) ( Ord. No. 6145, § V, 3-15-2016; Ord. No. 5908, § II, 11-9-2010; Ord. No. 5883, § III, 3-30-2010; and Condominiums Ord. No. 5569 § 7, 2005; Ord. No. 5435 § 2(q), 2003; Ord. No. 5429 § 3, 2003; Ord. No. 5361 § 2(p), 2002; Ord. No. 5342 § 5, 2002; Ord. No. 5265 § 1(k), 2001; Ord. No. 4973 § 5(b), (c), 1996; Ord. No. 4781 § 2(B), 1994; Ord. No. 4643, 1993.)
26-20-020(a) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. B), 10-23-2018)
26-20-030(h) (Ord. No. 5711 § 8 (Exh. I), 2007; Ord. No. 5569 § 12, 2005; Ord No. 5429 § 4(d), 2003; Ord. No. 5009 § 1(C), 1997; Ord. No. 4973 § 6(d), 1996; Ord. No. 4927 § 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 1996; Ord. No. 4839 § 1(B), 1994; Ord. No. 4837 § 1(A), 1994; Ord. No. 4643, 1993; Ord. No. 3932.)
26-22-020(a) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. C), 10-23-2018)
26-22-030(h) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. C), 10-23-2018)
26-24-020(a) (Ord. No. 5975, § I, 3-20-2012; Ord. No. 5883, § III, 3-30-2010; Ord. No. 5429 § 4(c), 2003; Ord.
No. 4973 § 6(b), (c), 1996; Ord. No. 4643, 1993.)
26-24-030(h) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. D), 10-23-2018)
26-8-050 - Multifamily 26-22-030 (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. C), 10-23-2018) Development Standards
26-88-040(g) (Ord. No. 6247, § II(Exh. D), 10-23-2018)
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