Chapter 19.01 — PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF DEVELOPMENT CODE

Sections:

• 19.01.010 Title.

• 19.01.020 Purpose of development code.

• 19.01.030 Authority, relationship to General Plan.

• 19.01.040 Applicability of the development code.

• 19.01.050 Standards.

• 19.01.060 Guidelines.

• 19.01.070 Responsibility for administration.

SMC Title 19 is and may be cited as the Sonoma development code, hereafter referred to as “this development code.” (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

This development code carries out the policies of the city of Sonoma General Plan by classifying and regulating the uses of land and structures within the city of Sonoma. This development code is adopted to protect and to promote the public health, safety, comfort, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare of residents, and businesses in the city. More specifically, the purposes of this development code are to:

• A. Implement the General Plan by encouraging the uses of land designated by the General Plan;

• B. Provide standards for the orderly growth and development of the city that will assist in protecting the unique character of the community and its neighborhoods;

The Sonoma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 13-2025, passed December 3, 2025.

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C. Conserve and protect the city’s natural beauty, including scenic views, hillside open space, and historic and environmental resources;

D. Create a comprehensive and stable pattern of land uses upon which to plan transportation, water supply, sewerage and other public facilities and utilities;

E. Minimize automobile use and congestion by promoting pedestrian and bicycle-oriented development, safe and effective traffic circulation, and adequate off-street parking facilities; and

F. Ensure compatibility between residential and nonresidential development and land uses through careful site planning and building design. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. This development code is enacted based on the authority vested in the city of Sonoma by the state of California, including but not limited to the State Constitution; the Planning and Zoning Law (Government Code Sections 65000 et seq.); the Subdivision Map Act (Government Code Sections 66410 et seq.); and the California Health and Safety Code.

B. This development code is the primary tool used by the city of Sonoma to carry out the goals, objectives, and policies of the Sonoma General Plan, hereafter referred to as the “General Plan.” (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

This development code applies to all land uses, structures, subdivisions, and development within the city of Sonoma, as provided by this section.

A. New Land Uses or Structures – Changes to Land Uses or Structures. In order to lawfully establish, construct, reconstruct, alter, relocate, or replace any use of land or structure, compliance shall be required with the applicable requirements of Division II, Community Design, Division III, Project Design, and Division IV, General Site Planning and Development Standards, or, where applicable, Chapter 19.82 SMC, Nonconforming Structures, Uses and Parcels.

B. Issuance of Building or Grading Permits. Building, grading, or other construction permits for new development and redevelopment or for the expansion or intensification of a building or use may be issued by the city when:

1. The proposed land use and/or structure satisfy the requirements of subsection (A) of this section, and all other applicable statutes, ordinances and regulations; and

2. The city planner determines that the site was subdivided in compliance with Division VI of this development code, Subdivisions.

See SMC 19.03.030 for exemptions.

The Sonoma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 13-2025, passed December 3, 2025.

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C. Subdivision of Land. Any subdivision of land proposed within the city after the effective date of this development code shall be consistent with the density and minimum lot size requirements of Division II, Community Design, the subdivision regulations of Division VI, Subdivisions, and all other applicable requirements of this development code.

D. Continuation of an Existing Land Use. An existing land use is lawful only when it was legally established in compliance with all applicable regulations, and when it is operated and maintained in compliance with all applicable provisions of this development code, including Chapter 19.82 SMC, Nonconforming Structures, Uses and Parcels.

E. Existing Violations. Existing land uses that were in violation of city zoning regulations applicable before the effective date of this development code are in violation of this development code. These uses shall continue to be in violation unless they conform to the current provisions of this development code.

F. Effect of Development Code Changes on Projects in Progress. A land use permit application that has been accepted by the city as complete prior to the effective date of this development code or any amendment shall be processed according to the requirements in effect when the application was accepted as complete. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Minimum Requirements. The standards of this development code shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, and general welfare. Whenever this development code provides discretion to a city official or body, that discretion may be exercised to impose more stringent requirements than those in this development code, as may be necessary to promote orderly land use development and the purposes of this development code.

B. Other Requirements May Still Apply. Nothing in this development code eliminates the need for obtaining any permit, approval or entitlement required by other provisions of the municipal code or complying with the regulations of any city department, or any county, regional, state, or federal agency.

C. Conflicting Requirements. Any conflicts between different requirements of this development code, or between this development code and other regulations, shall be resolved in compliance with SMC 19.02.020(F), Conflicting Requirements. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Suggestive. Although the guidelines of this development code are strongly recommended, they shall be considered suggestive in that the decision-making authority may approve a discretionary permit for a proposed project even though it fails to comply with one or more guidelines. Noncompliance with guidelines shall not be used as a basis to deny ministerial permits.

The Sonoma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 13-2025, passed December 3, 2025.

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B. Role in Discretionary Review. The decision-making authority shall consider applicable guidelines in its review of applications for discretionary planning and subdivision permit approvals. The failure of a proposed project to comply with applicable guidelines may be used by the decision-making authority as a basis for denial. To approve a project that fails to comply with applicable guidelines, the decision-making authority must find that substantial reasons exist that justify the noncompliance.

C. Conflicting Guidelines. Any conflicts between different guidelines of this development code shall be resolved at the discretion of the decision-making authority. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

This development code shall be administered by the Sonoma city council, the planning commission, the historic preservation commission, and relevant city officials, in compliance with SMC Title 2, Administration and Personnel, and Chapter 19.80 SMC, Administrative Responsibility. (Ord. 10-2025 § 2 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).