Planning and Zoning

Sonoma County has nine incorporated cities that decide issues affecting your location within their city limits. Throughout the county’s unincorporated areas, many locations are affected by regulations that govern land use and development, protection of the environment and factors such as water quality. Local, regional and state boards and regulatory agencies can all impact the type of business you plan to operate in a particular location.

Quality of Life

Sonoma County residents and businesses most often name "quality of life" as the number one reason they choose to locate here. In order to protect and preserve the factors that allow the county to attract and maintain this desirable feature, development is regulated and assessed for its impact on the environment and lifestyle.

Single Projects, Multiple Jurisdictions

Some seemingly simple projects may require a variety of local, state or federal permits and approvals. Sonoma County is divided between agency jurisdictions in the areas of air and water quality regulations that may overlap with Bay Area agencies. You may have to apply to multiple agencies that regulate land use and development in order to operate your business.

Some links in the Sonoma County Business Assistance Guide may take you to sites that the county does not maintain or control. The County of Sonoma does not warrant the accuracy of the information contained in such sites, and the content of such sites does not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards, or policies of the County of Sonoma. You should independently verify the accuracy of any information or representation on such sites before relying upon them.

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