City of Cotati
2025 State of the City
Damien O’Bid
City Manager
Stay away from Cotati!
The Past
Anti-development
Difficult place to do business
But that’s not Cotati today…
Business-friendly
Streamlined approvals
Clear standards
We want to help you succeed!
You may have heard that before - I certainly have……
We asked our community what their priorities are: Housing, housing, and then more housing.
Cotati Today
Permit Streamlining
Cut out unnecessary City reviews & requirements
Rapid feedback, clear design standards
Reduces risk, cost and gets you to construction faster
Double Density
Up to 2x density allowed citywide
No Impact Fees
For high quality lodging
Affordable units in market rate multi-family projects
Business & Project Liaisons
Dedicated support for existing and new businesses
Development project manager from beginning to end
Zoned for more allowances in priority development areas City Council supportive of policies to remove unnecessary barriers and promote housing Housing Approved
2.5x
RHNA Requirement
Cotati has approved 2.5 times our Regional Housing Needs Allocation, with more projects in the pipeline!
Opportunities Areas:
Train Depot TOC Area
Downtown Area
Highway 116 Corridor
Top Ranked City for Housing
In Sonoma County!
2025 State of Housing in Sonoma County
Generation Housing
Cotati has highest score of all cities or the County, ranked across 7 categories in advancing housing production
Commitment to Infrastructure Investment
The City Council has heavily invested in roads and park infrastructure over the past decade 90%
Road Condition
90th percentile for Bay Area cities our size
& the best roads in Sonoma County!
45%
Annual Investment in Road & Parks
Equivalent to almost half of General Fund revenue invested yearly (past 5 years)
Roads: From among the worst to now the best in Sonoma County to reduce future costs Parks: 3 parks completely refurbished, more coming…
Commitment to Safety
We’ve been busy getting DUI’s off the road to protect other road users! In 2024:
Received the Top Cop and Century Awards by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) 224 DUI arrests
Our “Top Cop” made more DUI arrests than any other officer, ever, in Sonoma County and the most in Northern California (30 counties) for 2024 Fiscal Excellence
17 Years Balanced Budgets GFOA Triple Crown Winner
6 consecutive years.
90% Reserve Average
General Fund reserve as a percentage of annual operating expenses over past 5 years
Constant focus on cost control
and conservative budgeting
90% Funded – Future Pension Liability
Now estimated to be a 90% funded, within the City Council policy target.
Challenges
State Highway 116
Leading regionally serving
improvements to “unstick”
new housing projects
Flat Revenue
3rd year of downward sales tax slide,
only city in Sonoma County without
lodging
Rising Costs
Operating expenses outpacing
revenue, double digit utility &
insurance costs
Business Friendly
Clear requirements, transparent
and timely permit reviews
Project manager to support your
success
Development Opportunities
Train Depot TOC Area
Downtown Area
Highway 116 Corridor
Veronda Falletti Ranch
Be a sponsor of new barns at this
public demonstration ranch!
Opportunities – Come with Us!
Long-term City goal: Diversify business types and depth for greater fiscal stability & vibrant business community Your Partner in Success
Central Location
Excellent infrastructure
Clear Requirements
Transparent, timely reviews
Ready to Grow
We'll help you succeed
Business-friendly Cotati: Let's build together!
Consider Cotati