General Plan Sonoma: Existing Conditions and Study Areas Survey

General Plan Sonoma is moving from background research into its next stage: considering future land use choices. This 5 minute survey has two parts - and all questions are optional:

1. Existing Conditions Report. You're invited to provide feedback on what we've learned about conditions and trends in the unincorporated county today and whether it matches your experience.
2. Study Areas. Help us identify where the County should consider potential changes to land uses.

Para realizar la encuesta en español, use el menú desplegable en la esquina superior derecha.

Existing Conditions
The County has published an Existing Conditions and Trends Report that describes the unincorporated county today across a range of topics. We recommend you start with the easy to read Story Map. Then take a deeper dive in the areas most important to you in the full report.

Here are a few key findings from the report:

• Housing costs remain high, and most recent multifamily development has occurred in cities.
• Infrastructure and service capacity vary substantially among unincorporated communities.
• Environmental burdens and access to services are not evenly distributed.
• Wildfire, flooding, drought, and extreme heat create significant and increasing risks.
• Driving remains the primary way most residents travel, while access to transit, walking, and bicycling varies.

Study Areas

From Existing Conditions to Future Land Uses

What we’re learning about Sonoma County today will help us plan for the future. Issues such as housing costs, infrastructure needs, and natural hazards can help identify places where the County should take a closer look at future land use.

The General Plan includes policies that guide decisions and a land-use map that shows where homes, businesses, agriculture, and open space are allowed. This part of the survey focuses on the map. There will be opportunities to weigh in on policies later.

What is a study area?

A study area is a place the County will examine more closely to determine whether the current land use map still makes sense. This could include considering opportunities for more homes, businesses, or services — or limiting development because of hazards or infrastructure constraints.

Being a study area does not mean any change has been proposed or decided. It simply means the area may be studied further as a way of examining and updating policies that could apply throughout the county.

Help us identify places to study

You know your communities best. Think about a community or specific area that deserves a closer look — whether for more homes, shops or services, or limits on development.

So, where should we take a closer look, and why?