Amendments to Sonoma County Code Chapter 26 (Zoning) – Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance Update (ORD26-0001)
Summary
SCH Number
2026050918
Public Agency
Sonoma County
Document Title
Amendments to Sonoma County Code Chapter 26 (Zoning) – Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance Update (ORD26-0001)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/22/2026
Document Description
The County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. ORD26-0001 amending Sonoma County Code Chapter 26 (Zoning), Sections 26-04-010 (Definitions), 26-30-120 (Telecommunications Facilities), 26-64-040 (Telecommunication Facilities in the SR District), and 26-88-130 (Telecommunications Facilities). The Ordinance updates regulations governing wireless telecommunications facilities to reflect current technology and industry practices, improve permitting clarity and predictability, align local regulations with applicable federal and state law, codify requirements for the removal of abandoned facilities, and address maintenance of telecommunications structures. Beneficiaries include the general public, telecommunications applicants, and property owners throughout Sonoma County who will have clearer, more efficient, and legally defensible telecommunications permitting standards.
Contact Information
Name
Doug Bush
Agency Name
Sonoma County Permit Sonoma
Job Title
Planner III
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Unincorporated County outside Coastal Zone
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Northern California
Base
MDM
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Not a Project (CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3)); General Rule Exemption Section 15061(b)(3))
Reasons for Exemption
Permit Sonoma has determined that this Ordinance is not a “project” as defined under CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3), because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and does not authorize any development projects. All future development projects reviewed under this Ordinance will be required to undergo separate CEQA review prior to authorization. Alternatively, if adoption of this Ordinance is determined to constitute a project, it is exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that the Ordinance will have no significant effect on the environment. The Ordinance clarifies existing regulations and adopts new standards for restoration of sites to pre-project conditions upon abandonment of facilities, and does not authorize any new development.
County Clerk
Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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