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1. Will my property be reassessed?

No. Your property would only be reassessed when it is sold or if you make major improvements.

2. Will the cost of my home insurance change?

Theft and casualty insurance may be slightly less. Please contact your insurance agent regarding your specific situation.

3. How will annexation affect my property value?

Generally, most real estate professionals would agree that being annexed to the City would add to the value of your property due to the increase in services that would be available.

4. Will my address or zip code change?

No.

5. Can I repair my car at my home?

Automotive/vehicle repair as a home business is not permitted within the City of Santa Rosa. However, the City does not regulate personal vehicle repairs and maintenance on private residential property, so long as there is no extended parking or storage (a period of 72 consecutive hours or more) of any mobile home, trailer, airplane, boat, other motor vehicle, or parts of any of those vehicles within a required front, side or rear setback.

As such, residents can repair and maintain their vehicles on their residential property so long as it is on the driveway (not within a required setback) and not stored for longer than 72 consecutive hours.

6. Is there a difference in the parking restrictions for recreational vehicles (RVs), or storage of other vehicles, in the City versus in the County?

Santa Rosa City Code prohibits vehicle parking on streets or alleys for more than 72 consecutive hours. The Code also prohibits extended parking or storage (a period of 72 consecutive hours or more) of any mobile, home, trailer, airplane, boat, other motor vehicle, or parts of any of those vehicles within a required front, side or rear setback of a property. The setbacks vary by zoning district, but for single-family residential the front setback is 15 feet, side setback is 5 feet, and rear setback is 20 feet. However, these requirements do not apply to a fully operational vehicle parked in a driveway that is used on a regular day-to-day basis.

The County of Sonoma Municipal Code includes the same 72 hour enforcement for on-street parking of vehicles. However, the County does not regulate parking of vehicles within required setbacks on private property.

7. Are there restrictions to parking business vehicles on private property (example: a homeowner parking his/her work truck in the driveway of their home)?

No, the City does not regulate the type of vehicle that residents park in the driveway of their residence.

8. Can I keep farm animals?

You can keep hens on any residential lot. However, roosters are not allowed. The number of hens allowed per lot depends on the size of your lot, as identified below:
- Lots 5,000 square feet or less: 3 hens
- Lots 5,001-10,000 sq. ft.: 6 hens
- Lots 10,001- 43,560 sq. ft.: 6 hens per 10,000 square feet of lot area up to 12 hens
- Lots over one acre: 6 hens per 10,000 square feet of lot area up to 30 hens

Farm animals are allowed in rural residential areas/zones (not in single-family residential or multi-family residential areas/zones), as long as your property is a minimum of 20,000 square feet in size (or about 1/2 acre). The following livestock are allowed:
- One hog or pig for every 20,000 square feet of gross lot area
- One horse or mule or cow or steer for every 20,000 square feet of gross lot area
- Twenty-five chickens for every 20,000 square feet of gross lot area
- Three goats or sheep or similar livestock for every 20,000 square feet of gross lot area
- Ten ducks or rabbits or similar livestock for every 20,000 square feet of gross lot area
- Twenty-five pigeons or 50 ornamental or song birds for every 20,000 square feet of gross lot area

9. Will there be City inspections of existing buildings upon annexation?

No. The City's Code Enforcement program is primarily implemented on a complaint driven basis. Staff typically does not actively look for code violations, but rather responds to public complaints reporting that a property contains a use, construction, or an activity that may not be in compliance with the City Zoning and/or Building Codes. As such, upon annexation to the City, staff will not immediately inspect existing buildings, unless a complaint is filed.

10. Where are second dwelling units allowed and what are the permit requirements? Are there limits on who can occupy second units?

Second dwelling units are allowed on any residentially zoned property that allows single family dwellings and is either undeveloped or contains only one legal, detached, single-family residence. If a proposed second dwelling unit meets the development standards (outlined in Santa Rosa Zoning Code Section 20-42.130) only a building permit is required. Either the second dwelling unit or the primary residence on a site must be occupied by the owner of the property (only one may be rented out).

11. What is the cost of permits for new construction in the City versus in the County (example: 400-square-foot addition to an existing single-family residence)?

Using the example of a 400-square-foot addition to an existing single-family residence, and assuming that the proposed addition complies with all zoning regulations, the following are the estimated building permit costs (as of October 29, 2015):
- City Building Permit = $1,768.75
- County Building Permit = $4,244.35

12. Can nonconforming uses continue upon annexation?

Yes. Nonconforming uses, which are uses that are not consistent with the zoning district for the property, but were legally established in the County, may continue upon annexation to the City.

Nonconforming uses can be changed to another non-conforming use of similar or more restricted classification or nature, as long as the new use would not increase the degree or intensity of the nonconformity. Nonconforming uses can also be enlarged in size or capacity through the approval of a Minor Conditional Use Permit. A nonconforming use that is discontinued for a continuous period of six months or more will lose its nonconforming rights.

13. Will areas that do not currently have sidewalks be required to put them in upon annexation? Who pays for new sidewalks?

No, sidewalks will not be required upon annexation. The addition of sidewalks are typically required when a property is developed (or redeveloped). New sidewalks that are installed as part of a development project are paid for by the developer of the property. If no new development is proposed, new sidewalks could be added through a City Capital Improvement Project (CIP) if funding is available and if the improvements are prioritized among other City projects. Sidewalk repair/maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner.

14. Are there permits or oversight required to maintain trees on private property?

Alteration, removal or relocation of a tree, except a protected or heritage tree, on a single-family residential property is allowed without a permit. A tree removal permit is required for alteration, removal or relocation of the following protected trees (depending on size):
- Oak family (Valley Oak, Black Oak, Oregon or White Oak, Canyon Oak, Blue Oak, or Interior Live Oak)
- Redwood, Bay
- Madrone
- Buckeye
- Douglas Fir
- Red Alder
- White Alder
- Big Leaf Maple