Chapter 19.86

GENERAL PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT CODE/ZONING MAP AMENDMENTS

Sections:

• 19.86.010 Purpose of chapter.

• 19.86.020 Applicability.

• 19.86.030 Initiation of amendments.

• 19.86.040 Hearings and notice.

• 19.86.050 Planning commission action on amendments.

• 19.86.060 City council action on amendments.

• 19.86.070 Findings.

• 19.86.080 Prezoning.

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

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The following provisions allow for the amendment of the General Plan, this development code, or the official zoning map whenever required by public necessity and general welfare. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A General Plan amendment may include revisions to text, goals, policies, actions, or land use designations. Amendments to this development code may modify any standards, requirements, or procedures applicable to the subdivision, development, and/or use of property within the city. Zoning map amendments have the effect of rezoning property from one zoning district to another. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

An amendment to the General Plan or this development code shall be initiated in compliance with this section.

• A. Who May Initiate an Amendment. An amendment may be initiated by:

  1. The filing with the planning commission of a resolution of intention by the city council;

  2. The passage of a resolution of intention by the planning commission; or

  3. The filing with the planning commission of a petition or application by the record owners of property which is the subject of a proposed amendment or by their authorized agents.

B. Application Requirements. An application for amendment shall be on the forms and accompanied by all information required by the city, and shall also be accompanied by the filing fee established by the city’s fee resolution. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

Upon receipt of a complete application to amend the General Plan, this development code, or the zoning map, or upon initiation by the city planner, planning commission, or city council, and following department review, public hearings shall be set before the commission and council. Notice of the hearings shall be given in compliance with Chapter 19.88 SMC, Public Hearings. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

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

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The planning commission shall make a written recommendation to the council whether to approve, approve in modified form, or disapprove the proposed amendment, based upon the findings contained in SMC 19.86.070, Findings. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

Upon receipt of the planning commission’s recommendation, the city council shall approve, approve in modified form, or disapprove the proposed amendment based upon the findings in SMC 19.86.070, Findings.

If the council proposes to adopt any substantial modification(s) to the amendment not previously considered by the commission during its hearings, the proposed modification shall be first referred back to the commission for its recommendation. Failure of the commission to report back to the council within 45 days after the referral, or within any longer time set by the council, shall be deemed a recommendation for approval of the modification(s). (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

• A. Findings for General Plan Amendments. An amendment to the General Plan may be approved only if all of the following findings of fact can be made in a positive manner:

  1. The proposed amendment is internally consistent with the General Plan;

  2. The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the city;

  3. The site is physically suitable (including access, provision of utilities, compatibility with adjoining land uses, and absence of physical constraints) for the requested/anticipated land use development(s); and

  4. The proposed amendment is in compliance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

B. Findings for Development Code/Map Amendments. An amendment to the text of this development code or the official zoning map may be approved only if all of the following findings of fact can be made in a positive manner, as applicable to the type of amendment.

1. Findings Required for All Development Code/Map Amendments:

   • a. The proposed amendment is consistent with the goals, policies, and actions of the General Plan;

   • b. The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the city; and

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

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• c. The proposed amendment is in compliance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

2. Additional Finding for Development Code Amendments. The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of this development code.

3. Additional Finding for Zoning Map Amendments. The site is physically suitable (including access, provision of utilities, compatibility with adjoining land uses, and absence of physical constraints) for the requested zoning designations and anticipated land use(s)/development(s). (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Purpose. An unincorporated property within the city’s sphere of influence may be prezoned for the purpose of determining the zoning that will apply to the property in the event of subsequent annexation to the city. The initiation and the procedures for the prezoning shall be the same procedures which govern the rezoning of property within the city.

Upon the effective date of annexation of property which has been prezoned in compliance with this section, the zoning designation shall become the official zoning designation for the property and shall be so designated on the city’s official zoning map.

B. Planning Commission Action on Prezoning. The planning commission shall make a written recommendation to the city council whether to approve, approve in modified form, or disapprove the proposed prezoning, based on the findings contained in subsection (D) of this section, Findings for Prezoning.

C. City Council Action on Prezoning. Upon receipt of the planning commission’s recommendation, the city council shall approve, approve in modified form or disapprove the proposed prezoning based on the findings contained in subsection (D) of this section, Findings for Prezoning.

If the council proposes to adopt any substantial modification(s) to the prezoning not previously considered by the commission during its hearings, the proposed modification(s) may be first referred back to the commission for its recommendation, in compliance with state law (Government Code Section 65857) and SMC 19.86.060, city council action on amendments.

D. Findings for Prezoning. A prezoning may be approved only if all of the following findings of fact can be made in a positive manner:

1. The proposed prezoning is consistent with the land use designation of the General Plan, as well as applicable General Plan goals and policies;

2. The proposed prezoning would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the city;

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

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3. The site is physically suitable (including access, provision of utilities, compatibility with adjoining land uses and absence of physical constraints) for the requested/anticipated land use(s)/development(s);

4. That the prezoning and proposed annexation represent a logical extension of city boundaries;

5. That essential public utilities (sewer, water, storm drainage, etc.) are in the vicinity and can be extended to the area to be annexed; and

6. That all applicable public services have the capacity to serve the area being annexed. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).