Chapter 19.30 — GATEWAY DISTRICT

Sections:

• 19.30.010 Existing conditions, desired future, potential changes. 19.30.020 Project planning and design standards.

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A. Existing Conditions. Although the Gateway commercial district encompasses only 59 acres, its future development is crucial to the identity of Sonoma. It forms the southern entrance to the city and marks the division between the rural and agricultural character of the unincorporated area and the urban features of the city. The district is bounded by existing and planned multifamily development to the west and north, rural residential, agricultural, and vacant parcels to the south, and Nathanson Creek to the east. Broadway and Napa/Leveroni Road divide the district into quarters.

Existing land uses include:

1. Single-family homes on large lots;

2. A hardware and garden supply center;

3. A hotel;

4. A local market, and small car repair shop, a furniture store, and a mixed use building;

5. A PG&E substation;

6. A vineyard;

7. Traintown (a large, landscaped recreation facility); and

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

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8. Vacant parcels, totaling more than 15 acres.

B. Desired Future. The Gateway district should provide an attractive and distinctive entrance to Sonoma. In terms of uses, the Gateway district should provide a mix of resident- and visitor-serving uses, along with a substantial residential component. The district should complement, not compete with, the Plaza, and should provide shopping and service opportunities for existing and future residential development in southern Sonoma. In terms of site planning, architecture, and landscaping, new development and redevelopment should draw from the best examples of Sonoma. Existing local serving uses within the district should be retained and encouraged to upgrade in keeping with the overall goals for the area.

The development of the Gateway district will contrast with the rural and agricultural lands of the unincorporated territory to the south, east and west. Design sensitivity will be needed to make this contrast pleasing rather than jarring. Larger setbacks and lower building heights are appropriate at the edge properties of the district, with smaller setbacks and higher buildings at the core. It is expected that the hotel at the northwest quadrant of the district will anchor other visitor-serving uses and encourage the improvement of other properties in the area.

Pedestrians must be better served – by extending sidewalks with planter strips along major roads, by reducing driveway cuts, and by requiring pedestrian pathways and connections in new development. A street tree planting program should be developed and implemented in conjunction with frontage improvements.

C. Potential Changes. In terms of road improvements, the southernmost segment of Broadway within the Gateway district will ultimately be widened to three lanes. Napa and Leveroni Road may not need to be widened, but shoulder improvements will be necessary in some areas, as well as turn-pockets. The intersection of Broadway and Napa/Leveroni Road will need to be improved with landscaping, sidewalks, and crosswalks. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

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

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

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• A. Site Planning Standards.

  1. Residential Density. The following residential densities and minimum lot sizes apply to new subdivisions within the Gateway district.

Table 3-19. Lot Size and Residential Density Requirements

Notes:

1. Densities do not include density bonus. See Chapter 19.44 SMC.

2. Setbacks, Site Coverage, and Open Space. Proposed development shall be designed and constructed in compliance with the requirements set forth in Tables 3-20 and 3-21, following.

3. Driveways and Parking. Parking areas should be located at the rear or along the side of properties and should be discouraged in front of buildings. Parking areas shall be screened from adjacent residential zoning districts and land uses. See Chapter 19.48 SMC, Parking and Loading Standards. Driveways along collector streets (Broadway, Napa Road, Leveroni Road) shall be minimized when possible, by combining driveways, using alleys, or designing development so that access is provided from local streets.

Table 3-20. Gateway District: Additions and Renovations

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Requirements by Zoning District
Development
Setbacks, Site Coverage, Open Space and Height
Feature
Edge Properties (C-G) Core Properties (C-G)
Setbacks Minimum setbacks required for primary structures. See SMC 19.40.110 for setback
measurement, allowed projections into setbacks, exceptions, and design guidelines for
setbacks.
Front/Street- 20 ft. or consistent with existing structure None required
side [1 ]
Side None required, except 1) when abutting a None required
residential zone, in which case the
corresponding setback in the residential
zone shall apply; 2) when abutting the
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The Sonoma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 13-2025, passed December 3, 2025.

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Table 3-20. Gateway District: Additions and Renovations

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Requirements by Zoning District
Development
Setbacks, Site Coverage, Open Space and Height
Feature
Edge Properties (C-G) Core Properties (C-G)
sphere of influence, in which case a 20 ft.
setback is required.
Rear None required, except when abutting a None required
residential zone or the sphere of influence,
in which case a 20 ft. setback is required.
Parking Garages shall be set back 20 feet from the main structure. Parking areas should
Areas normally be located along the sides and to the rear of a property and should be
minimized or avoided in front of buildings. For the expansion or renovation of existing
parking areas subject to planning approval, the review authority may require additional
landscaping and/or the consolidation of driveway cuts.
F.A.R./Site
Coverage
F.A.R. 0.80
Site Coverage 40%
Open Space See SMC 19.40.070 and 19.40.080 for design requirements.
Commercial 7% – 11% of site
Residential 300 sq. ft. per unit (any combination of shared or private)
Height Ridge height measured from finished grade. See SMC 19.40.040 for applicability and
exceptions.
Primary 30 ft. 35 ft.
Structure
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Notes:

1. Front porches may extend up to 10 feet into front setback (or street-side setback for wrap-around porches).

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

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Table 3-21. Gateway District: New Development

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Requirements by Zoning District
Development
Setbacks, Site Coverage, Open Space and Height
Feature
Edge Properties (C-G) Core Properties (C-G)
Setbacks Minimum setbacks required for primary structures. See SMC 19.40.110 for setback
measurement, allowed projections into setbacks, exceptions, and design guidelines for
setbacks.
Front/Street- Broadway: 30 feet None required
side [1 ] Napa/Leveroni: 20 feet
Interior drives: None required.
Side None required, except 1) when abutting a None required
residential zone, in which case the
corresponding setback in the residential
zone shall apply; 2) when abutting the
sphere of influence, in which case a 20 ft.
setback is required.
Rear None required, except when abutting a None required
residential zone or the sphere of influence,
in which case a 20 ft. setback is required.
Parking Garages shall be set back 20 feet from the main structure. Parking areas should
Areas normally be located along the sides and to the rear of a property and should be
minimized or avoided in front of buildings. For the expansion or renovation of existing
parking areas subject to planning approval, the review authority may require additional
landscaping and/or the consolidation of driveway cuts.
F.A.R./Site
Coverage
F.A.R. 0.80
Site Coverage 40%
Open Space See SMC 19.40.070 and 19.40.080 for design requirements.
Commercial 7% – 11% of site
Residential 300 sq. ft. per unit (any combination of shared or private)
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The Sonoma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 13-2025, passed December 3, 2025.

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Table 3-21. Gateway District: New Development

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Requirements by Zoning District
Development
Setbacks, Site Coverage, Open Space and Height
Feature
Edge Properties (C-G) Core Properties (C-G)
Height Ridge height measured from finished grade. See SMC 19.40.040 for applicability and
exceptions.
Primary 30 ft. 35 ft.
Structure
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Notes:

1. Front porches may extend up to 10 feet into front setback (or street-side setback for wrap-around porches).

4. Natural Features. Significant environmental amenities, including Nathanson Creek, related riparian areas, and mature oak trees, shall be preserved by being incorporated into site plan design and layout. Appropriate enhancement or protective measures shall be included in plans where determined necessary by the planning commission. See landscaping standards and design guidelines (SMC 19.40.060), and the tree preservation ordinance for specific tree preservation requirements and guidelines. Environmental features of lesser significance should be incorporated into project site plans when appropriate if justified by the quality of the feature and its relation to the site.

where determined necessary by the planning commission. See landscaping standards and design guidelines (SMC 19.40.060), and the tree preservation ordinance for specific tree preservation requirements and guidelines. Environmental features of lesser significance should be incorporated into project site plans when appropriate if justified by the quality of the feature and its relation to the site.

5. Screening and Buffering. Multifamily developments shall require screening and buffering of parking and driveway areas, and noise and light sources. See Chapter 19.46 SMC, Fences, Hedges and Walls, and landscape standards and guidelines (SMC 19.40.060).

• B. Building Design.

1. Height and Profile. Proposed structures in the core area shall not exceed a maximum height of 35 feet. Outside of the core area the maximum building height shall be 30 feet. See SMC 19.40.040 for height measurement and exceptions.

2. Building Types – Guidelines for Commercial, Mixed Use and Multifamily Residential Structures. New construction and alterations to existing structures should be designed to establish the Four Corners area as a distinctive gateway to Sonoma. In reviewing proposals for new development and redevelopment, the review authority shall make use of the following guidelines:

• a. Site and building design should enhance the streetscape. Primary building entrances, especially for commercial uses, should be oriented toward the street and accessible from the sidewalk.

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

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b. Allow existing uses to remain and, subject to use permit review, to expand or intensify, in conformance with the provisions of this development code (see Chapter 19.82 SMC, Nonconforming Structures, Uses and Parcels).

• c. Encourage pedestrian connections between developments and to adjoining residential areas.

d. Site design and architectural features that contribute to pedestrian comfort and interest, such as awnings, recessed entrances, arcades, courtyards, paseos, alleys, and patios, are encouraged.

e. The massing of larger buildings (5,000 square feet or greater) should be broken down to an appropriate scale through the use of storefronts and breaks in the facade.

f. Architectural styles and details traditional to Sonoma should be used. The use of durable, high quality materials is encouraged. Industrial and strip building types and materials (e.g., concrete tilt-up structures) are not appropriate to the Gateway district.

g. Encourage variety in building design features (e.g., height, articulation, shape, and mass) in order to enhance visual diversity, preserve scenic vistas, and avoid strip-style development.

h. Building types, architectural details and signs having a generic or corporate appearance are strongly discouraged. Chain stores and franchises are not prohibited in the Gateway district, but such uses must respect and contribute to the importance of the area as the front door to Sonoma.

i. Development along the sphere of influence should provide a clear and suitable transition to adjacent rural areas in terms of site design, architecture and landscaping. Buildings should take advantage of outward views.

j. In the core area, promote high-intensity uses and place buildings close to the street (zero to 15 feet). Encourage the use of two-story buildings. (Ord. 10-2025 § 2 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 02-2021 § 1(7), 2021; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 03-2004 § 3, 2004; Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

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

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

Page 138 of 410

Title 19 Integrated Development Regulations and Guidelines | Sonoma Municipal Code