Housing Element of the Sonoma County General Plan

2009 Housing Element Draft

Next Public Hearing

Government Code Section 65580 declares that local and state governments have a responsibility to use their vested powers to facilitate housing development and to make "adequate provision for the housing needs of all economic segments of the community." 

 The Housing Element of the Sonoma County General Plan presents goals, objectives, policies, and supporting information related to the provision of housing for existing and future residents of the County. The purpose of the Housing Element is twofold: 1) to present specific policies and actions for housing development in the context of the Land Use Element of the County's General Plan; and 2) to meet regional standards and achieve State certification, pursuant to statutory requirements, which in turn will help the County qualify for State and federal housing aids and grants.

The Housing Element of the County General Plan is a detailed statement of housing goals, objectives, policies, and programs for the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County. The Element is based on a comprehensive technical assessment of existing housing policies and programs, current and projected housing needs, especially related to low income households and special needs populations, an inventory of sites available for housing construction, an analysis of market, environmental, governmental, and other factors which constrain housing production, and an assessment of new programs and policies that can enhance housing production in the County.

The purpose of the Housing Element is to guide decision-making by elected and appointed officials, in the context of broader General Plan, regarding housing. Specifically, the Housing Element sets forth how the County will address the need for housing, especially by low and moderate income families and special needs families and individuals. The Housing Element also provides housing-related data and information to the public on housing in the County.

2001 Housing Element

View and download the current Housing Element, adopted by the Board of Supervisors on December 11, 2001, and amended by the Board on January 29, 2002, from the following link:

2001 Housing Element

2009 Housing Element Update

Sonoma County’s next Housing Element will cover the period from 2007 to 2014.  State law requires that the Housing Element be completed by the County and reviewed and certified by the State by June 2009.  As the lead department, the Sonoma County Permit and Resource Management Department (PRMD) will conduct the update work in collaboration with the Community Development Commission (CDC) staff, policy makers, housing developers, special needs interest groups, and state and regional regulating agencies.  The goal of the effort is to achieve a balanced and responsive Housing Element that meets statutory requirements, responds to public concerns, and is consistent with overall General Plan policies, and to achieve a useful working document.

Public Participation Process

A series of public meetings and hearings will be held throughout the Housing Element update process to outreach to, and receive input from, interested members of the public regarding affordable housing needs in Sonoma County.

The Sonoma County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing to consider adoption of a Negative Declaration and to review and consider a recommendation on the Draft 2009 Housing Element Update at 1:30 p.m. on November 20, 2008 in the hearing room at the Permit and Resource Management Department, 2550 Ventura Avenue, Santa Rosa.

Please check this website periodically for documents and other information about the Housing Element update that will be posted throughout the update process.

Technical Report

Sonoma County Housing Element Technical Report

Executive Summary of Housing Element Technical Report

Links to Housing Element Resource Information

CA Dept of Housing & Community Development (HCD) Housing Element website

Housing Element Law Overview

Housing Element Law