Planning & Economic Development

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Planning & Economic Development provides a wide range of development services to the community, developing long range plans for the growth of Santa Rosa and reviewing development proposals for consistency with those plans.

Building Division

The Building Division reviews building permit applications for compliance with State and local building codes (structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and energy efficiency) and provides inspection services for all building related construction.

Economic Development

The Economic Development Division provides assistance with business needs such as starting or expanding a business, finding a site, or connecting with other City services; and administers a tourism marketing campaign called "Santa Rosa: Out There. In the Middle of Everything."

Engineering Development Services

The Engineering Development Division reviews development proposals to ensure that streets and utilities are designed to meet all applicable design standards, codes and regulations. The division also inspects the construction of approved public improvement plans and oversees subdivision grading and all construction within the existing and future public right-of-way.

Planning Division

The Planning Division is responsible for both current and long range planning. The Development Review team provides information on land use, zoning and site development standards and processes applications for land use permits and land divisions. The Advance Planning team performs a variety of long range planning activities, including development and administration of the City’s General Plan.

Public Art

The City’s Public Art program strives to enrich civic life, give voice to Santa Rosa’s unique creative spirit and galvanize the city’s reputation as an arts destination.



News Flash

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  1. Short Term Rental Image - News Flash Size

    S­anta Rosa City Council Approves Short-Term Rental Urgency Ordinance

    The Urgency Ordinance takes effect immediately and provides a regulatory framework for short-term rental operations within the city limits to preserve public peace, welfare, health and safety and address community compatibility. Read on...
  2. NF_Repairing Public Infrastructure v2

    Restoring City Amenities & Repairing Public Infrastructure

    The 2017 wildfires caused over $70 million in damage to critical water and transportation infrastructure, facilities, parks and open spaces, and more. Over the last four years, the City continues to repair and recover critical infrastructure. Read on...
  3. CivicPlus_MinimumWage2022-01

    Santa Rosa Minimum Wage Increasing to $15.85 on January 1, 2022

    Starting January 1, 2022, the hourly minimum wage in Santa Rosa will increase to $15.85 for all employees working within city limits. Read on...
  4. Homes and Short Term Rentals

    City of Santa Rosa Requesting Community Input on Short-Term Rentals

    Community input to help City staff in development of short-term rental urgency ordinance Read on...
  5. County Logo

    Board of Supervisors to vote on location of future County Government Center

    The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday is scheduled to vote on where to locate the new County Government Center. The Board will be choosing between staying on the existing county campus or moving to Downtown Santa Rosa. Additional Info...
  6. Fifth Street Garage Public Art - three options

    Santa Rosa Seeks Input on Public Art Finalists for Fifth Street Parking Garage

    Community input needed with assist in the selection of one of three proposals for the Fifth Street Parking Garage Public Art Project. Read on...
  7. Blessing Hancock Unum - Old Courthouse Square Public Art

    Community Asked to Add Their Words to New Public Art in Old Courthouse Square

    The City of Santa Rosa’s Public Art Program is excited to announce an opportunity for the public to submit words and phrases for Santa Rosa’s newest permanent public art piece located in Courthouse Square Read on...
  8. Permit Sonoma Logo

    Permit Sonoma Releases Draft Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan For Public Comment

    Permit Sonoma, in partnership with local jurisdictions throughout Sonoma County, including Santa Rosa, released a draft Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for public comment.
  9. NF_BBS

    City Installs Traffic Signal Battery Backup Systems

    FEMA -Grant funded project will retrofit 170 signalized intersections with battery backup systems to improve traffic flow during power outages Read on...
  10. Local and federal elected officials post for a photo at the former site of Fire S

    $33.9M in Federal Funding Allocated to City for Rebuilding & Resiliency

    Funds will support unmet needs for rebuilding City infrastructure damaged during the 2017 wildfires AND for infrastructure improvements to protect the community from future disasters Read on...
  11. CivicPlus_NewsFlash_MobileFoodVendor2

    Call for Food Vendors: Bennett Valley Golf Course Food Truck/Food Booth Days Pilot Program

    Food vendors and booth operators have an opportunity to serve the estimated 150-300 golfers per day and the many Santa Rosa residents who frequent nearby Galvin Community Park. The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m. on March 19, 2021. Read on...
  12. CivicPlusImageSize_2021NAP-01

    Public Art Program Announces Exhibition and Award Recipients for 18th Annual National Arts Program

    The public is invited to view this year’s exhibition—on display through April 30, 2021—by going to InsideOutThere.com/National-Arts-Program Read on...
  13. NewsFlash_Santa Rosa Forward

    City Launches Santa Rosa Forward, Seeks Input for General Plan Update

    Plan update will include an emphasis on health and equity thanks to grant boost from Kaiser Permanente Read on...
  14. CivicPlusImageSize_FifthStreet

    Call for Artists: Fifth Street Parking Garage Public Art

    The City of Santa Rosa Public Art Program is seeking an artist or team of artists to design, fabricate, and install site-specific public art for the southwest exterior wall of the Fifth Street Parking Garage. Deadline to submit qualifications is March 15. Read on...
  15. Construction of multi-family housing

    $38M in Disaster Relief Funds Approved to Build Affordable Homes

    The Santa Rosa Housing Authority has approved the use of $38.3 million in federal disaster relief funds for the construction of new affordable housing in Santa Rosa. Read on...
  16. CivicPlusNF_OldCourthouseSquare-20.12.17

    City Approves Artist for Permanent Installation in Courthouse Square

    Blessing Hancock’s sculpture “Unum” Selected Read on...
  17. CivicPlus_NewsFlash_MobileFoodVendor2

    City Expands Areas Mobile Food Trucks Can Operate Starting January 1

    The City ordinance greatly expands where and how mobile food vendors can operate on private property in the City, including areas zoned for commercial, mixed-use, shopping centers, car lots, and industrial areas, and more. Read on...
  18. Paintings and photographs

    Projects to be Installed for Fire Response – Round Two

    The City of Santa Rosa Public Art Program is excited to announce the installation of five temporary projects selected for Fire Response – Round Two. Read on...
  19. Lift truck in public right-of-way

    Industrial Lift Truck Use In City Right of Way

    Encroachment permits required for lift trucks in the public right of way beginning 6/1. Read on...
  20. Accessory Dwelling Unit

    Accessory Dwelling Units

    The City of Santa Rosa is preparing an amendment to the Zoning Code to facilitate the construction of accessory dwelling units on single-family residential parcels in compliance with new state law.
  21. PED_newsflash_permitsantarosa_300x189

    Permit Santa Rosa

    The City of Santa Rosa recently launched Permit Santa Rosa, on which you can review permit activity on an interactive map, apply for permits, schedule inspections, and explore our data portal.

Upcoming Meetings

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  1. Oct 28

  2. Waterways Advisory Committee Meeting CANCELLED

    Regular Waterways Advisory Committee meeting occurring on the fourth Thursday of each month.

  3. Planning Commission Meeting - Cancelled

    Planning Commission meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.
  1. Nov 1

  2. Art in Public Places Committee

    APPC meets on the first Monday of each month.

  3. Garden Village

    Proposed future development of mixed-use project, which includes the demolition of existing structures and the development of a 4-story, mixed use project, featuring ± 8,000-square-feet of ground floor, commercial space and 56 multi-family residential units. The application has been filed by MANGHAL DHILLON. File No. PRAP21-044
  1. Nov 2

  2. Downtown Subcommittee

    Regular Downtown Subcommittee meeting that meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month.

  3. Zoning Administrator

    Special Zoning Administrator which is held as needed.
  1. Nov 3

  2. Cultural Heritage Board

    Regular Cultural Heritage Board meeting that occurs on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month.