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

The proposed ordinance amends Sonoma County Code Section 2-79 to shift the initial review authority for discretionary telecommunications facility use permit applications from the Planning Commission to the Zoning Administrator, aligning the process with the County’s standard approach for discretionary use permits. This change removes the automatic referral requirement, allowing the Zoning Administrator to determine whether an application requires escalation to the Planning Commission while preserving the ability of any Board member to request original jurisdiction. The adjustment is intended to comply with federal timelines for processing telecommunications permits without altering the substantive standards governing siting, design, or development of such facilities. No physical development authority is expanded or diminished under this update. The amendment focuses solely on procedural efficiency, ensuring that permit reviews for telecommunications infrastructure are conducted in a manner consistent with federal mandates for expeditious review while maintaining existing regulatory controls. The Zoning Administrator retains full discretion to refer complex or contentious applications to the Planning Commission, and the public’s right to participate through established channels remains unaffected. The change supports the County’s broader goal of streamlining administrative processes without compromising environmental, aesthetic, or land use protections. The ordinance is being managed by Sonoma County’s Planning Department, with Doug Bush, Planner III, serving as the primary point of contact.