Sonoma County, California

Last verified 2026-06-11 · Methodology · Changelog

Local wildfire code status: Adopted with local amendments

New construction in the WUI and State Responsibility Area must meet CBC Chapter 7A and CRC R337, enforced through Permit Sonoma. The county layers its own Fire Safe Standards (Sonoma County Code Chapter 13) and vegetation management and defensible space requirements (Chapter 13A) on the state baseline, with local amendments including allowances for certain fire-retardant-treated wood products that meet testing criteria.

Sources: [1] · [2]

Hazard designation

Substantial areas of the county are designated High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. CAL FIRE's 2025 Local Responsibility Area map update expanded designated zones, and local agencies must designate zones by ordinance within 120 days of State Fire Marshal recommendations under Government Code 51179.

Active mitigation programs

Insurance market conditions

Sonoma County contains some of the Bay Area's highest non-renewal areas: in CDI's 2023 data, more than a quarter of policies in the Rio Nido ZIP code were non-renewed, the highest rate among Bay Area ZIP codes with over 50 policies, with Jenner also in the top ten. The median county premium reached 1,851 dollars in 2024, up roughly 30 percent over ten years, and FAIR Plan policyholders in one Santa Rosa ZIP code average about 6,400 dollars per year.

Sources: [1] · [2]

Market data is presented as sourced conditions, not advice about any carrier or policy decision. Verify current conditions with the state insurance department or a licensed professional.