Periodic Special Events Zoning Code Update, File No. ORD25-0003

The Sonoma County Zoning Code is being updated through Ordinance ORD25-0003 to establish a 2,500-person attendance cap for periodic special events that require a Zoning Permit, while clarifying and standardizing the permitting process, public notice procedures, and key definitions related to such events. Events that also require a Special Event Encroachment Permit are exempt from this cap, ensuring that larger or more complex events subject to additional oversight are not unduly restricted. The amendments aim to enhance administrative clarity and consistency for both applicants and county staff, reducing ambiguity in the approval process and minimizing potential conflicts or unintended impacts. This regulatory change is not a procurement or contract action but an administrative update to local land use law, aligned with a CEQA categorical exemption under Section 15061(b)(3) due to its minimal environmental impact. The project is classified as a forecast regulatory action, not a federal contract, and contains no Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses, contracting officer roles, payment or invoicing systems, or procurement-specific requirements such as CLINs, pricing, or contract types. The only associated financial component is a $50 filing fee for environmental documentation, with payment methods including cash, check, or credit. The County of Sonoma acts as the sole lead agency, with no contractors or external vendors involved in carrying out the amendments. All actions are coordinated internally through the Permit Sonoma Project Review Division and the Office of Planning and Research, with Katerina Mahdavi serving as the designated point of contact. Public notice is required through January 12, 2026, and official filings are processed at the County Clerk-Recorder’s office in Santa Rosa, with supporting documents such as the Notice of Exemption and CDFW No Effect Determination submitted as attachments to support the environmental exemption claim. The changes apply countywide and are implemented entirely through local regulatory authority without federal oversight or contractual obligations.