An ordinance amending Sonoma County Code to Change Zoning Administrator Authority for Telecommunications Facilities

Sonoma County is implementing an ordinance to amend Sonoma County Code Section 2-79 regarding the authority of the Zoning Administrator for telecommunications facilities. The primary objective of this administrative change is to reassign the initial review authority for discretionary telecommunications facility use permit applications from the Planning Commission to the Zoning Administrator. This shift is designed to align the county's permit processing with streamlined timelines required under federal law. While the Zoning Administrator will now handle initial reviews, they retain the discretion to refer applications to the Planning Commission, and Board members maintain their ability to request original jurisdiction. This action is categorized as an administrative change and is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under guidelines for organizational activities or the common sense exemption, as it does not authorize physical development or modify substantive standards for telecommunications facilities. The project is managed by Permit Sonoma and is applicable countywide within the State of California. The official approval and signing of the Notice of Exemption occurred on August 4, 2026, with the forecast posted on August 5, 2026.