Sec. 13-25. - Exemptions.

The provisions of this article shall not apply to any of the following, except to the extent provided for herein:

(a)

Any building granted an agricultural exemption pursuant to Chapter 7 of this code, provided that the building does not exceed eight thousand (8,000) square feet in size and is not located in a state responsibility area.

(b)

Any road or bridge used exclusively for access to an agricultural operation; or an agricultural exempt structure; or a Group U occupancy, less than one thousand (1,000) square feet in area, accessory to a one- or two-family residential dwelling, as defined in the county building code.

(c)

Any road or bridge used exclusively for the management and harvesting of wood products.

(d)

Any new building accessory to a one- or two-family residential dwelling with a floor area of less than one thousand (1,000) square feet and containing a detached Group U occupancy as defined in the county building code, except that the provisions of Divisions C and E of this article shall apply to all such buildings.

(e)

Any existing road that provides year-round unobstructed access to conventional drive vehicles, including sedans and fire engines, which was constructed and serving a legal parcel prior to January 1, 1991, except that (1) the provisions of Division C of this article shall apply to all such roads, and (2) all of the other provisions of this article shall apply to any such road if it is extended, reconstructed or improved pursuant to a development approval, but only to the portion of the road that is extended, reconstructed or improved.

(f)

Any road required as a condition of any development approval granted prior to January 1, 1991, except that (1) the provisions of Division C of this article shall apply to all such roads, and (2) all of the other provisions of this article shall apply to any such road if it is extended, reconstructed or improved pursuant to a new development approval, but only to the portion of the road that is extended, reconstructed or improved.

(g)

Any existing driveway serving a legally constructed residential building shall comply with Sonoma County Code Chapter 1, Article V, Division C, Signing and Building Numbering. Any existing driveway serving a rebuilt structure, or change of use structure, shall be provided with, but not limited to, additional turnouts, turnarounds. All of the other provisions of this article shall apply to any such driveway if it is extended, reconstructed or improved pursuant to a new development approval, but only to the portion of the driveway that is extended, reconstructed or improved.

(h)

Any legal or legal non-conforming building constructed prior to January 1, 1991, or any building for which a building permit was issued or an application for a building permit was accepted as complete for filing prior to January 1, 1991; except that the provisions of this article shall apply to any such building if the occupancy is changed, altered, or otherwise converted to any Group R, Division 3 occupancy as defined in the county building code.

(i)

Any addition to an existing building adding a floor area less than six hundred forty (640) square feet including a detached Group U occupancy as defined in the county building code, except that the provisions of Divisions C and E of this article shall apply to all such buildings.

(Ord. No. 6396, § II, 12-6-2022; Ord. No. 6318, § I, 8-11-2020)

State Law reference— California Code of Regulations, Title 14 Natural Resources Code, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Article 1-5, SRA Fire Safe Regulations, 1270.02