April Update: Sonoma County Well Ordinance

Earlier this month, the Board of Supervisors gave initial approval to amendments to the County’s Well Ordinance brought forward by Permit Sonoma. A second reading will be held on April 18. Should the ordinance be adopted on that day, the amendments will go into effect on May 18.

The amendments create a new regulatory process that considers potential adverse impacts on public trust resources, such as habitat for Coho salmon, when approving well permits. The amended ordinance also includes requirements for water conservation measures for all new wells, and requirements for well meter installation and water use reporting of new non-residential wells.

The board also voted to extend the current six-month moratorium on new, non-emergency well permits, which the board established in October 2022 to allow staff time to update the ordinance. The extended moratorium will expire on May 18, 2023, which will be the effective date of the amended ordinance if it is adopted at the second reading on April 18. (Source: Permit Sonoma).

Two RRPOA Board Members participated in the process. President Brad Petersen participated on the technical committee and Secretary Carolyn Wasem participated in the policy work group. They helped negotiate the following benefits on your behalf:

1.      Protected baseline water use for replacement wells

2.      No metering requirement on existing wells

3.      The allowance of .6 AF of water per acre for irrigation of grapes (note the .6 is independent of frost water use)

4.      Maintenance of a ministerial process for agriculture wells – critical as a discretionary permit is very expensive and time consuming

To read all of the documents associated with the updated Well Ordinance visit Permit Sonoma.

See if your property is impacted here.

Public Trust Review Permitting Framework

Map of the Public Trust Review Area

Magenta Block Areas: Identified Public Trust Area (new wells that do not demonstrate an offset and have a Farm Plan will require a discretionary permit)

 Magenta Colored Stream Corridors (setbacks required)

a.       Franciscan Soils 100’ setback

b.       Sonoma Volcanics Soils 250’ setback

c.        Alluvium 750’setback