AGENDA
JOINT MEETING OF THE COTATI CITY COUNCIL AND THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE
FORMER COTATI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
City Council Chamber, City Hall 201 W. Sierra Avenue
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
6:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
The Cotati City Council welcomes you to its meetings that are generally scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month. Your interest and participation are encouraged and appreciated.
City Council meeting agendas, minutes and recordings are posted on the City’s Meeting Portal at www.cotaticity.gov. For questions about the agenda or to receive the City Council agenda by e-mail, contact the City Clerk at [email protected] or 707-665-3622.
Cotati City Council Meetings will be conducted in person in the Council Chamber. To guarantee your ability to participate, you must attend the meeting in person. As a courtesy to the public, the City allows citizens the opportunity to view and offer public comments virtually through Zoom Online video conferencing platform. Technical difficulties may occur that make the Zoom platform unavailable. If Zoom is unavailable, the meeting will continue. Participants considering using Zoom should consider attending in person, if they desire to ensure their ability to view the meeting and offer public comments.
Subject to the above disclaimer, Zoom Online video conferencing is available to watch or listen in the following ways:
1. Using the following online livestream meeting portal link: https://www.youtube.com/@cityofcotati7280/streams
2. Cable T.V. Broadcast, local channel 28
Members of the public can participate in the meeting online by clicking the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83513881232?pwd=5dsTtWHUXNjz3WKaPLuImjCizZNd0H.1 If you do not have the ability to join online, but would like to participate in the meeting, you can call into the meeting using your telephone, by dialing one of the following numbers and entering the meeting credentials:
Webinar ID: 835 1388 1232 Passcode: 459255
+1 (669) 900-6833 or +1 (346) 248-7799 or +1 (253) 215-8782 or +1 (301) 715-8592 or +1 (312) 626-6799 or +1 (929) 436-2866 Attendees may join the meeting any time after 5:45pm. Attendees will be muted until they are called upon for Public Comment. To make a public comment, use the “raise hand” icon on your smart device or desktop computer, or dial *9 if you are using just your telephone. Please listen carefully for the Mayor or City Clerk to address you by name (or phone number) and for the audible Zoom notification that you have been unmuted. Once you begin your public comment, your three minutes will begin.
If you would prefer to submit your public comment in writing, please email your comments to [email protected]. If you are commenting on a specific agenda item or items, please state the agenda item number(s) in the subject line of the email. All comments received via email will be provided to the City Council in writing and included as part of the record of the meeting. They will not be read aloud into the record at the meeting.
Notice is hereby given that Council may discuss and/or take action on any or all of the items listed on this agenda, in accordance with the City Council Rules of Conduct.
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Cotati City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for inspection in the online Meeting Portal at www.cotaticity.gov and in the City Manager’s office located at 201 West Sierra Avenue, Cotati, California, during the City’s posted business hours.
Cotati City Council Agenda April 14, 2026
Accommodations: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need special assistance to participate in a City Council meeting or other services provided by the City, please contact the City Clerk’s office at [email protected]. Notification of at least 48- hours prior to the meeting or time when services are needed will assist City staff in assuring that reasonable arrangements can be made to provide accessibility to the meeting or service.
Rules of Decorum: To avoid distraction, the following meeting etiquette shall be enforced. • Silence electronic devices, including cell phones.
• Audience members are advised to keep conversations to a minimum or conduct them outside the building. • Members of the public are prohibited from speaking, yelling, or otherwise making loud noises from the audience that disrupt the orderly proceeding of the meeting.
• Photographs or video recordings using tri-pods or other means that would be distracting are to be taken only from the designated media area. • The Presiding Officer shall request that the audience withhold expressions of support or opposition for speakers in the interest of time and to encourage the full expression of differing views.
Public Comment: Public comment on any one agenda item is limited to no more than three (3) minutes per person, in accordance with the City Council Rules of Conduct.
Waiver Warning: If you challenge decisions/direction of the City Council of the City of Cotati in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at public hearing(s) described in this agenda, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Cotati at, or prior to, the public hearing(s).
Announcements:
A. Meeting Orientation for New Attendees/Viewers. In conformance with the Brown Act and the adopted City Council Rules, if the City Council is considering an item in which action will be taken, citizens will be invited to provide comments relevant to the item being discussed.
The meeting agenda also includes a Citizen Business item, which is the designated place on the agenda where citizens have the right to comment on any matter within the City’s subject matter jurisdiction. However, Citizen Business items do not generally receive a response because the Brown Act prohibits the City Council from taking action or considering any item that is not on this agenda, so as to ensure that other members of the community who wish to provide comment are notified in advance through a properly noticed meeting agenda. Nonetheless, in accordance with the Brown Act, the Council may briefly respond, may ask a question for clarification, or may direct an item be placed on a future agenda.
B. Measure S supports police services, a variety of recreation programs for all ages, and the maintenance of our streets, parks, and public buildings. See details on the web at cotaticity.gov.
C. Citizens interested in receiving City of Cotati community alerts via text or email are encouraged to enroll with CivicReady, by signing up on the City’s website, www.cotaticity.gov, under the “How do I” link at the top of the homepage.
D. Have you noticed a street light out, pothole, or issues in a City Park? We want to keep Cotati beautiful and running smoothly, so please let us know what needs to be fixed, by going to the City website under “How do I” and “Report a Service Request.” E. Like always, we love to hear from you, so please feel free to contact the City at 707-792-4600 or [email protected]. If you have a nonemergency issue after normal business hours, you can contact us at 707-792-4611 and of course if you have an emergency, please contact 9-1-1.
Continue to look for updates on the City's website and social media channels available on Facebook, Instagram, and CivicReady.
City Council meetings are conducted according to City Council Policy 2025-03: City Council Rules of Conduct. This policy available for inspection in the online Meeting Portal at www.cotaticity.gov and in the City Manager’s office located at 201 West Sierra Avenue, Cotati, California, during the City’s posted business hours.
Those wishing to address the Council are asked to complete a speaker card and give it to the City Clerk. When you are called, step to the podium and state your name and address for the record. Persons wishing to address the Council are not required to identify themselves or complete a speaker card; (Gov’t. Code § 54953.3); however, this information assists the Mayor by ensuring that all persons wishing to address the Council are recognized and it assists the City Clerk in preparing the City Council meeting minutes.
1. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING OF ALL
RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES INTRODUCED AND/OR ADOPTED UNDER THIS
AGENDA (ACTION)
A. COTATI CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAR 24, 2026 B. COTATI CITY COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING – MAR 24, 2026 Cotati City Council Agenda April 14, 2026
3. AGENDA REVIEW (ACTION)
4. CITIZEN BUSINESS AND PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS Any member of the public wishing to speak to the Council on any item(s) listed on the Consent Calendar or any matter(s) not listed on the agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council may do so at this time. Pursuant to the Brown Act, the Council is not allowed to consider issues or take action on any item not listed on the agenda. Pursuant to City Council Policy 2025-03, comments of any member of the public are normally restricted to a total of three (3) minutes in length per person for matters not on the agenda and a total of three (3) minutes per person in length for any and all items on the Consent Calendar. The Mayor may extend the time limit for a reasonable time where a disability accommodation has been requested. To facilitate public comment, the timer indicator lights will display yellow when there are thirty seconds remaining, and red when time has expired.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
A. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE 2026 COTATI SHORT FILM
FESTIVAL EVENT IN LA PLAZA PARK AND THE COTATI ROOM OF THE RAY
MILLER COMMUNITY CENTER
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the 2026 Cotati Short Film Festival event in La Plaza Park and the Cotati Room of the Ray Miller Community Center.
B. CONSIDER AWARDING THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE CLASS 1
PATHWAY MAINTENANCE PROJECT
It is recommended the City of Cotati City Council adopt a resolution awarding the Construction agreement for the Class 1 Pathway Maintenance Project and authorizing the City Manager to execute said agreement and any change orders or amendments to the Construction Management Agreement up to the authorized project budget amount.
C. SUPPORT OF AB 2596
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a motion authorizing the Mayor to send a letter of support for AB 2596 to our state legislators, substantially in the form attached, and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to advocate with Cal Cities and legislators to support this bill.
6. DIRECTION ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS (ACTION)
A. FOOD AND MOBILE BUSINESS ORDINANCE
It is recommended that the City Council hold a public hearing and introduce an ordinance amending Cotati Municipal Code Title 17 (Land Use) and Chapter 9.36 (Conduct in Parks, Plazas, Streets, Sidewalks, and Other Places) to establish standards for food and mobile businesses.
B. INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO REZONING
MULTIPLE PARCELS TO THE TRANSIT ORIENTED COMMUNITIES (TOC) AND
SANTERO WAY (SW) ZONING DISTRICTS AND MAKE ANY FURTHER NEEDED
REVISIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE TOC LAND USE POLICIES
It is recommended the City Council introduce and conduct the first reading of an ordinance to rezone the specific parcels identified in the TOC and Santero Way Ordinance to the TOC and SW zoning districts and make other clarifying changes to the Cotati Municipal Code to finalize TOC policy compliance.
8. REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
Cotati City Council Agenda April 14, 2026
A. RESOLUTION TO PROTECT COMMUNITY SAFETY IN THE EVENT OF A
SIGNIFICANT IMMIGRATION ACTION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution that restates our values and implements measures to protect the rights of immigrants and the safety of all members of our community in the event of a significant federal immigration action.
9. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The City of Cotati recognizes that we’re on the ancestral lands of the Coastal Miwok, who are the original caretakers of this area. We respectfully acknowledge the Indigenous peoples who have been stewarding and maintaining a relationship on this land as knowledge keepers for millenia. This acknowledgment does not take the place of authentic relationships with Indigenous communities but serves as a gesture of respect to the land we are on.
10. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT & COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
11. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH CITY LABOR NEGOTIATORS (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6) CITY DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE: CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE. EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION: COTATI EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (CEA)
12. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
13. INFORMATION RECEIVED AFTER THE AGENDA WAS POSTED
14. ADJOURNMENT
Certification of Posting of the Notice: I declare under penalty of perjury that I am employed by the City of Cotati and that I posted this notice on the City’s website, bulletin boards of City Hall, Veterans’ Memorial Building and the SMART Train Depot, on or before April 9, 2026. /s/ Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE COTATI CITY COUNCIL AND THE COTATI COMMUNITY-POLICE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
City Council Chamber, City Hall 201 W. Sierra Avenue
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
7:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
1. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL
Mayor Lemus called the meeting to order at 7:23pm.
Attendee Name Title Status
Sylvia Lemus Mayor Present
Susan Harvey Vice Mayor Present
Ben Ford Councilmember Remote
John Savage Councilmember Present
Laura Sparks Councilmember Leave of Absence
Jane Lawton Committee Chair Present
Kirk Jarrett Committee Vice Chair Absent
Carol Williams Committee Member Present
Les Richardson Committee Member Present
Jeff Causbrook Committee Member Absent
Staff Present: City Manager Damien O’Bid, City Attorney John Bakker, City Clerk Kevin Patterson, Director of Administrative Services Angela Courter, Director of Community Development Noah Housh, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Craig Scott, Police Chief Chris Simmons
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54954.3(a), members of the public wishing to address the Council may do so at the beginning of the special meeting, and such comments shall be limited to the special meeting topic.
Public Comment:
George Barich of Cotati
Alexa Chipman of Rohnert Park
Roberta Teller of Sebastopol
Beverly Voloshin of Petaluma
Adrienne Lauby of Cotati
Pama Lacey
Laurie-Ann Barbour of Cotati
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Cotati City Council Minutes March 24, 2026
Megan Coffey
David Ergo
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
Rhonda Findling
Call-In Listener
3. REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
A. SUMMARY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLICIES TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY
SAFETY DURING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LOCAL POLICIES
Presentation by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
Councilmembers and Community-Police Advisory Committee Members discussed potential options to prepare for the possibility of significant immigration actions that could disrupt and potentially endanger the community. After discussing the options, the City Council directed staff to bring forward a resolution, similar to the action taken by the County of Sonoma, and also engage with the County Department of Emergency Management (DEM), to determine how to best collaborate in the event of a significant immigration action. Items specifically requested by the Council and Committee to be incorporated into the resolution include:
• Concerns about federal immigration searches without valid warrants. • Ensuring police response to emergency calls about potential immigration actions. • Collection and documentation of information that could potentially be used later for legal proceedings.
• Citation referring to immigrant resources, linked from the City website.
4. INFORMATION RECEIVED AFTER THE AGENDA WAS POSTED
5. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lemus adjourned the meeting at 9:15pm.
/s/ Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
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MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE COTATI CITY COUNCIL AND THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE
FORMER COTATI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
City Council Chamber, City Hall 201 W. Sierra Avenue
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
6:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
1. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL
Mayor Lemus called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.
Attendee Name Title Status
Sylvia Lemus Mayor Present
Susan Harvey Vice Mayor Present
Ben Ford Councilmember Absent
John Savage Councilmember Present
Laura Sparks Councilmember Leave of Absence
Staff Present: City Manager Damien O’Bid, City Attorney John Bakker, Deputy City Clerk Kevin Patterson, Director of Administrative Services Angela Courter, Director of Community Development Noah Housh, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Craig Scott, Police Chief Chris Simmons, Senior Planner JP Harries
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING OF ALL
RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES INTRODUCED AND/OR ADOPTED UNDER THIS
AGENDA (ACTION)
A. COTATI CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAR 10, 2026 No public comment.
RESULT: Approve [3 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: John Savage, Councilmember
AYES: Lemus, Harvey, Savage
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ford, Sparks
3. PROCLAMATIONS (ACTION)
A. GOVERNMENT FINANCE PROFESSIONALS WEEK 7 of 202
Cotati City Council Minutes March 24, 2026
Public Comment:
George Barich of Cotati
Call-In Listener
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
Mayor Lemus read the proclamation. Proclamation was accepted by Jennifer Bechtold of the Rancho Adobe Fire District; Lindsay VanMiddle, Edward Daniels, and Erick Roeser of the Sonoma County Auditor, Controller, Treasurer, and Tax Collector’s Office; John Bartolome and Molly Koler of the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District; and Angela Courter, Neil Tomlinson, Rosie Speranza, Paola Conde Frendo, and Kacie Moline of the City of Cotati Administrative Services Department.
4. AGENDA REVIEW (ACTION)
City Manager O’Bid recommended continuing item 8B to a date certain of April 14, 2026, and item 12 to a future meeting. There being no objection from the Council, the items were continued.
5. CITIZEN BUSINESS AND PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS Any member of the public wishing to speak to the Council on any item(s) listed on the Consent Calendar or any matter(s) not listed on the agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council may do so at this time. Pursuant to the Brown Act, the Council is not allowed to consider issues or take action on any item not listed on the agenda. Pursuant to City Council Policy 2025-03, comments of any member of the public are normally restricted to a total of three (3) minutes in length per person for matters not on the agenda and a total of three (3) minutes per person in length for any and all items on the Consent Calendar. The Mayor may extend the time limit for a reasonable time where a disability accommodation has been requested. To facilitate public comment, the timer indicator lights will display yellow when there are thirty seconds remaining, and red when time has expired.
Public Comment:
George Barich of Cotati
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
6. CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
A. ANNUAL CANCELLATION OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND HOLIDAY
CLOSURE OF CITY HALL
B. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AWARDING THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
FOR THE COTATI ENTRY ARCHWAY MONUMENT REPAIR PROJECT TO CESTAROLLO CONSTRUCTION, INC. AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE THE CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT AND ANY NEEDED CHANGE
ORDERS OR AMENDMENTS TO THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH INTEGRA PLANNING + LANDSCAPE
ARCHITECTURE UP TO THE AUTHORIZED BUDGET
RESULT: Adopt [3 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: John Savage, Councilmember
AYES: Lemus, Harvey, Savage
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ford, Sparks
Public Comment:
George Barich of Cotati
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Cotati City Council Minutes March 24, 2026
7. DIRECTION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Vice Mayor Harvey requested a future agenda item on an amendment to the JPA between the County of Sonoma and the Waste Management Agency, for the new household hazardous waste facility.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS (ACTION)
A. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING A TREE REMOVAL PERMIT
TO ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED SUBDIVISION AND
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT ON VACANT UNADDRESSED PROPERTIES
LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF LUND HILL LANE BETWEEN JAGLE STREET
AND VALPARAISO AVENUE
Presentation by Senior Planner JP Harries.
Councilmembers comment.
Public Comment:
George Barich of Cotati
Mark Battaglia of Cotati
Vanessa Aching Davenport of Cotati
Clif Davenport of Cotati
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
Brian Flahaven
Council added the following conditions to the Resolution:
-Where removed oak trees could be feasibly replanted, the removed trees shall be made available to those who request them for transplanting offsite. -To maintain screening, any non-oak trees removed in the future within the hatched area shown on the Tree Location and Numbering Plan in the submitted Tree Inventory Report (dated January 2, 2026) shall be replaced in accordance with the replacement criteria in CMC Section 17.54.050, or as otherwise approved by the City, within the same hatched area.
-Adjacent and nearby affected property owners shall be eligible to receive more than two trees from the City’s Tree Mitigation Fund for planting on their property, upon request.
After the conclusion of this item, at 7:15pm, Council took a recess to hold the special joint meeting of the City Council and Community Police Advisory Committee. Council resumed the regular meeting after the conclusion of the special joint meeting, at 9:16pm.
RESULT: Adopt [3 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: John Savage, Councilmember
AYES: Lemus, Harvey, Savage
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ford, Sparks
B. INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO REZONING 9 of 202
Cotati City Council Minutes March 24, 2026
MULTIPLE PARCELS TO THE TRANSIT ORIENTED COMMUNITIES (TOC) AND
SANTERO WAY (SW) ZONING DISTRICTS AND MAKE ANY FURTHER NEEDED
REVISIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE TOC LAND USE POLICIES
Item was continued to a date certain of April 14, 2026, during Agenda Review.
9. REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
10. 11.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT & PLEDGE OF ALLIGIANCE
The City of Cotati recognizes that we’re on the ancestral lands of the Coastal Miwok, who are the original caretakers of this area. We respectfully acknowledge the Indigenous peoples who have been stewarding and maintaining a relationship on this land as knowledge keepers for millenia. This acknowledgment does not take the place of authentic relationships with Indigenous communities but serves as a gesture of respect to the land we are on.
Public Comment:
George Barich of Cotati
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT & COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
Report by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
Councilmembers report out on local and regional events and meetings.
12. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH CITY LABOR NEGOTIATORS (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6) CITY DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE: CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE.
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION: COTATI EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (CEA) This item was continued to a future meeting during Agenda Review.
13. INFORMATION RECEIVED AFTER THE AGENDA WAS POSTED
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lemus adjourned the meeting at 9:36pm.
/s/ Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE 2026
COTATI SHORT FILM FESTIVAL EVENT IN LA PLAZA
PARK AND THE COTATI ROOM OF THE RAY MILLER
COMMUNITY CENTER.
Date: April 14, 2026
Written by: Ashley Wilson, Recreation Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the 2026 Cotati Short Film Festival event in La Plaza Park and the Cotati Room of the Ray Miller Community Center.
Background
On Axis Productions is a local production company owned by Cotati residents with deep roots in Sonoma County. Spending several years directing the Hermosa Beach Film Festival, the owners Tom and Maura Kearney came back to Sonoma County and would like to bring their experience to Cotati. With a desire to celebrate local filmmakers and inspired content creators, they are proposing the first annual Cotati Short Film Festival.
On Axis Productions is a recipient of the 2026 Cotati Cultural Grant Program award and will use the $5,000 in grant funding to produce the proposed Cotati Short Film Festival event on September 26, 2026 in La Plaza Park and the Ray Miller Community Center.
Analysis/Discussion
The proposed event will feature free family friendly entertainment and vendors selling food, local goods, and other items for purchase.
The event is proposed to be from 1-6pm in the Cotati Room and 6pm-10pm in La Plaza Park.
The applicant has requested use of the Cotati Room from 12pm to 6:30pm for setup and takedown and use of the park from 4pm-11:30pm for setup and takedown. There are no street 11 of 202
closures requested, but there are parking space closures requested along the park side of La Plaza Street between Old Redwood Highway and West Sierra Avenue for vendor booths. The parking space closures are requested for the duration of the park permit time, from 4pm-11:30pm. No park closures have been requested. This event will be free to attend.
The applicant has requested the use of amplified music, and authorization for vendors to sell goods, food, and beverages.
The exhibits attached to the resolution describe the parking space closures necessary for the orderly movement of vehicle and pedestrian traffic during street closures. City staff will place no parking signs on La Plaza Street and West Sierra Avenue the morning of the event.
Financial Considerations
On Axis Productions has requested fee waivers for their event. In accordance with the Park Use and Special Event Policy regarding fee waiver requests, staff recommends that the park permit costs be fully waived as this event is a first year of an ongoing free community event and has the potential to increase the number of visitors to the City. The event would provide increased opportunities to promote economic development and increase sales tax revenue.
Additionally, a fee waiver has been requested for the use of the Cotati Room. This is not included in the fee waiver request section of the Park Use and Special Event Policy as it is a facility rental request, which falls under the Facility Use and Reservation Policy. This policy allows the City Manager or designee to make exceptions for organizations. Since this is a new request that coincides with a park fee waiver request, staff request the City Council waives the facility rental fees along with the park permit fees, except for the deposits for each and the cleaning fee for the Cotati Room, as it is a direct cost to the City.
Total costs and waivers would be as follows:
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The subsidy of the total fees of $1,944.50 is provided as a waiver to the City’s General Fund.
Separately the General Fund will provide $5,000 in a grant award that will be used to offset the costs of producing the first-time event. Grant funding will be used to purchase event supplies, pay event staff, and pay for event marketing.
Environmental Issues
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a project which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378.
Description Waived Fees Deposits & Fees
Not Waived
La Plaza Park
Large Event Resident Park Permit Fee 384.00$
Small Street Closure Fee 769.00$
Special Event Application Fee 54.00$
Electricity Fee 17.00$
Restroom Cleaning Fee 220.00$
Refundable deposit 500.00$
Total for La Plaza Park 1,444.00$ 500.00$
Cotati Room
Rental Fee 500.50$
Cleaning Fee 167.00$
Refundable deposit 500.00$
Total for Cotati Room 500.50$ 667.00$
Total La Plaza Park & Cotati Room 1,944.50$ 1,167.00$
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RESOLUTION NO. (XX)
APPROVING 2026 COTATI SHORT FILM FESTIVAL EVENT IN LA PLAZA PARK
AND THE COTATI ROOM OF THE RAY MILLER COMMUNITY CENTER
WHEREAS, On Axis Productions submitted an application to the City for the Cotati Short Film Festival event on January 20, 2026; and
WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code Section 21101(e) authorizes temporary street closures where certain conditions exist; and
WHEREAS, it will be necessary to temporarily close certain parking spaces, as described in the Exhibits attached, to facilitate this event and improve pedestrian safety; and WHEREAS, the closure is necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are to use that portion or portions of the street(s) during the temporary closing; and WHEREAS, the Chief of Police of the City of Cotati will arrange for temporary parking space closures and traffic re-routing, if necessary, which would minimize the traffic hazard conditions and allow for orderly movement of traffic; and WHEREAS, the Chief of Police will contact the Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District, ambulance service providers, bus service providers, and others who may need ingress, egress, or the ability to traverse the affected area and will reasonably provide for their needs; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that these events are part of a comprehensive economic development strategy in that they increase visitation to the City, promote the Cotati community and result in increased sales tax revenues; and WHEREAS, the City Council approves the waived permit fees, street closure fees, and other associated event fees of an amount not to exceed $1,944.50 as funded by the City General Fund; and
WHEREAS, the City Council further finds that the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the City of Cotati will not be jeopardized by the approval of these events; and WHEREAS, it will be necessary to conform to certain conditions as described in “Exhibit A,” attached hereto, to facilitate this event; and WHEREAS, the action of approving a short film festival event does not constitute a project as defined by California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378; therefore, no further environmental review is required.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that
1. The above recitals are declared to be true and correct and are incorporated herein as findings of the City Council.
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2. The City Council hereby approves of the special event permit, street closure fees, facility rental fees, and staff time associated with road closures to be funded by the City’s General Fund.
3. The temporary closure of parking space portions of La Plaza Street from Old Redwood Highway to West Sierra Avenue on September 26, 2026, between 4:00pm and 11:30pm, is hereby approved.
4. Amplified sound, the sales of goods, food, and beverages, and other Cinco De Mayo activities as described in the accompanying staff report, is hereby approved.
5. The Conditions of Approval, attached as Exhibit A to this resolution, are hereby approved.
6. This Resolution shall become effective immediately.
7. Each portion of this resolution is severable. Should any portion of this resolution be adjudged to be invalid and unenforceable by a body of competent jurisdiction, then the remaining resolution portions shall be and continue in full force and effect, except as to those resolution portions that have been adjudged invalid. The City Council of the City of Cotati hereby declares that it would have adopted this resolution and each section, subsection, clause, sentence, phrase and other portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that one or more section, subsection, clause, sentence, phrase or other portion may be held invalid or unconstitutional.
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cotati held on April 14, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
Approved:___________________________
Mayor
Attest:______________________________
Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
Approved as to form:______________________________
City Attorney
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EXHIBIT A
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
1. The applicant is granted exclusive use of La Plaza Park from Saturday, September 26th, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. through 11:30 p.m. for the event scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. This approval includes amplified live entertainment.
2. The applicant shall submit a deposit of $1000 for La Plaza Park and the Cotati Room within 30 days of approval of this event.
3. Applicant shall provide the City with proof of insurance for all events and vendors, as required, to the satisfaction of the City, prior to the event.
4. Applicant shall provide the City with a map of the event, specifically where vehicles will be parked for the car show, no later than 7 days prior to the event.
5. Applicant shall notify all neighboring businesses and residents of the event and street closures, no later than 14 days prior to the event.
6. The applicant shall obtain the required permits and follow all regulations from the Sonoma County Environmental Health Department and shall ensure each food vendor complies with Health Department requirements.
7. The applicant shall ensure that all temporary tents are secured by weights. Stakes shall not be permitted.
8. Temporary structure (tents, shade awnings, or other) shall not be secured to existing structures including buildings and light poles.
9. The applicant shall ensure that all vendors follow Cotati Municipal Code 8.20.030 (Prohibited food service ware and products), which bans the selling or serving of food ware that contains polystyrene foam or PFAS.
10. The applicant shall comply with all local, state, and federal laws regarding trash, recycling, and composting collection and sorting.
11. The applicant shall ensure the public facilities (park, parking spaces, and streets) are cleaned completely and returned to pre-event conditions within 2 hours of event end time.
12. The applicant shall be responsible for any damage caused to the park and shall reimburse the City for any repair costs incurred, in excess of the security deposit.
13. The event shall be carried out as described in the written descriptions submitted by the applicant and in compliance with these Conditions of Approval. 16 of 202
14. The applicant shall contact the Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District and comply with any permit requirements of the District.
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: CONSIDER AWARDING THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
FOR THE CLASS 1 PATHWAY MAINTENANCE PROJECT
Date: April 14, 2026
Written by: Craig Scott, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Recommendation
It is recommended the City of Cotati City Council adopt a resolution awarding the Construction agreement for the Class 1 Pathway Maintenance Project and authorizing the City Manager to execute said agreement and any change orders or amendments to the Construction Management Agreement up to the authorized project budget amount.
Background
On November 26, 2024, City Council approved an Agreement with Moe Engineering to provide engineering design services for the maintenance and restoration to Cotati’s Laguna de Santa Rosa Class 1 Multi-Use Trail from Gravenstein Way to East Cotati Avenue which is approximately 2,200 feet and varies from 8 feet to 10 feet wide. Class 1 Multi-Use Paths are fully separated from bike and pedestrian paths from roadways and are typically parallel to a street, waterway, and/or other alignment through open space or undeveloped areas. Interactions with vehicles are limited to street crossings. Although they do not wear down as quickly as roadways, pathways do degrade over time, and their surfaces can get uneven creating a hazard for the bicyclists and pedestrians that use them. Therefore, similar to roadways, pathways periodically are in need of spot repairs or restoration. The City has created a capital improvement program to address this need. When the design agreement was approved, City Council directed staff to return with recommendations for the pathway material before finalizing design, with further direction to explore the feasibility of constructing a gravel pathway next to the existing asphalt pathway, and, on September 9, 2025, Staff presented the natural paving and the asphalt paving options and was directed to move forward with the natural paving option. 24 of 202
Analysis/Discussion
The Project design was completed and the Project advertised for bidding on February 27, 2026.
On March 27, 2026, eight bids were received and opened with the apparent low bid by AGD General Engineering Inc. for an amount of $148,800 which is 4.7 percent above the Engineer’s Estimate. The City Engineer has reviewed the bid from the low bidder and finds it to be complete and has determined it to be a responsive bid and recommends it for award.
The design agreement approved on November 26, 2024, with Moe Engineering, is scoped to include services through construction and project close-out and no changes to that contract are being requested at this time.
Following action by City Council, it is anticipated two weeks to execute the construction contract with work to begin within a couple weeks of that date. Once a Notice to Proceed has been issued, the Contractor has 20 working days to complete the work not counting any extra days granted for wet weather or material supply delays outside the Contractor’s control. Work, therefore, is anticipated to be substantially completed in early June. The trail will be closed to the public during construction.
Financial Considerations
This project was included in the City’s FY 2025/26 Budget with a total budget of $150,000.
Design, bidding, and construction management services are not to exceed $45,057, and additional misc. services including public noticing, site inspections and blueprinting has been $1,041, leaving $103,902 for the construction contract.
Accounting for the actual construction contract amount of $148,800, and a contingency of $15,000, the revised total Project amount is $210,000 which exceeds the prior authorized Project budget of $150,000 by $60,000. Staff are requesting approval of a budget transfer from the unappropriated General Fund balance to make up this difference. This budget amendment has been provided to the agenda item.
Environmental Issues
This action is found to qualify for a Class 1 Categorical Exemption under CEQA Section 15301 in that the project consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use. 25 of 202
RESOLUTION NO. (XX)
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI APPROVING A
CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT WITH AGD GENERAL ENGINEERING, INC FOR THE CLASS 1 PATHWAY MAINTENANCE PROJECT, AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAID AGREEMENT AND APPROVE ANY NEEDED
CHANGE ORDERS OR AMENDMENTS UP TO THE APPROVED BUDGET
AMOUNT
WHEREAS, on November 26, 2024, City Council approved an Agreement with Moe Engineering to provide engineering design services for the maintenance and restoration to Cotati’s Laguna de Santa Rosa Class 1 Multi-Use Trail from Gravenstein Way to East Cotati Avenue which is approximately 2,200 feet and varies from 8 feet to 10 feet wide; and WHEREAS, Class 1 Multi-Use Paths are fully separated from bike and pedestrian paths from roadways and are typically parallel to a street, waterway, and/or other alignment through open space or undeveloped areas. and interactions with vehicles are limited to street crossings; and
WHEREAS, although they do not wear down as quickly as roadways, pathways do degrade over time and their surfaces can get uneven creating a hazard for the bicyclists and pedestrians that use them, therefore, similar to roadways, pathways periodically are in need of spot repairs or restoration; and
WHEREAS, the City has created a capital improvement program to address this need, and when the design agreement was approved, City Council directed staff to return with recommendations for the pathway material before finalizing design, with further direction to explore the feasibility of constructing a gravel pathway next to the existing asphalt pathway, and, on September 9, 2025, Staff presented the natural paving and the asphalt paving options and was directed to move forward with the natural paving option; and WHEREAS, the Project design was completed and the Project was advertised for bidding on February 27, 2026, and on March 27, 2026, eight bids were received and opened with the apparent low bid by AGD General Engineering Inc. for an amount of $148,800 which is 4.7 percent above the Engineer’s Estimate; and
WHEREAS, the City Engineer has reviewed the bid from the low bidder and finds it to be complete and has determined it to be a responsive bid and recommends it for award; and WHEREAS, the design agreement approved on November 26, 2024 with Moe Engineering is scoped to include services through construction and project close-out and no changes to that contract are being requested at this time; and WHEREAS, this project was included in the City’s FY 2025/26 Budget with a total budget of $150,000. Accounting for the actual construction contract amount of $148,800, and a contingency of $15,000, the revised total Project amount is $210,000 which exceeds the prior 26 of 202
authorized Project budget by $60,000. Staff is requesting approval of a budget transfer from the unappropriated General Fund balance of $60,000; and
WHEREAS, this action is found to qualify for a Class 1 Categorical Exemption under CEQA Section 15301 in that the project consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Cotati hereby determines:
1. The recitals stated above are true and correct, and
2. Awards the construction contract for the Class 1 Pathway Maintenance Project to AGD General Engineering, Inc. for an amount of $148,800, and
3. Staff is directed to transfer $60,000 from the unappropriated General Fund to the Project account, and
4. The City Manager is authorized to execute the construction agreement and any needed change orders and amendments to the professional services agreement with Moe Engineering up to the authorized Project budget.
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cotati held on April 14, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
Approved:___________________________
Mayor
Attest:______________________________
Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
Approved as to form:______________________________
City Attorney
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4/7/2026 7:01:54 PM Page 1 of 3
Budget Adjustment Register
Cotati, CA Adjustment Detail
Packet: GLPKT14715 - 04/14/2026 - CLASS 1 PATHWAY
MAINTENANCE PROJECT
Adjustment Number Budget Code Description Adjustment Date BA0000087 Adopted Budget for FY 2025… CLASS 1 PATHWAY MAINTENANCE PROJECT 4/14/2026 Summary Description: Revised total Project amount is $210,000 which exceeds the prior authorized Project budget of $150,000 by $60,000 Account Number Account Name Adjustment Description Before Adjustment After 101-00-81000-000000 OPER TRANS OUT-GENL CLASS 1 PATHWAY MAINTENANCE PROJECT 2,766,294.00 60,000.00 2,826,294.00 April: 60,000.00
605-19-67000-CLASS1 OPER TRANS IN-CLASS 1 PATH… CLASS 1 PATHWAY MAINTENANCE PROJECT -150,000.00 -60,000.00 -210,000.00 April: -60,000.00
605-19-91300-CLASS1 Class 1 Pathway Maintenance P… CLASS 1 PATHWAY MAINTENANCE PROJECT 150,000.00 60,000.00 210,000.00 April: 60,000.00
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Budget Adjustment Register Packet: GLPKT14715 - 04/14/2026 - CLASS 1 PATHWAY MAINTENANCE PROJECT 4/7/2026 7:01:54 PM Page 2 of 3
Budget Budget Description Account Account Description After Budget Code Summary
Before Adjustment
2025-2026 Adopted Budget for FY 20… 101-00-81000-000000 OPER TRANS OUT-GENL 2,766,294.00 60,000.00 2,826,294.00 605-19-67000-CLASS1 OPER TRANS IN-CLASS 1 PATHWAY -150,000.00 -60,000.00 -210,000.00 605-19-91300-CLASS1 Class 1 Pathway Maintenance Proj… 150,000.00 60,000.00 210,000.00 2025-2026 Total: 2,766,294.00 60,000.00 2,826,294.00
Grand Total: 2,766,294.00 60,000.00 2,826,294.00
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Budget Adjustment Register Packet: GLPKT14715 - 04/14/2026 - CLASS 1 PATHWAY MAINTENANCE PROJECT 4/7/2026 7:01:54 PM Page 3 of 3
Fund After
Fund Summary
Before Adjustment
Budget Code:2025-2026 - Adopted Budget for FY 2025/26 Fiscal: 2025-2026 101 2,766,294.00 60,000.00 2,826,294.00
605 0.00 0.00 0.00
Budget Code 2025-2026 Total: 2,766,294.00 60,000.00 2,826,294.00 Grand Total: 2,766,294.00 60,000.00 2,826,294.00
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: SUPPORT OF AB 2596
Date: April 14, 2026
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a motion authorizing the Mayor to send a letter of support for AB 2596 to our state legislators, substantially in the form attached, and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to advocate with Cal Cities and legislators to support this bill.
Background
Mobilehome parks are an important source of housing for Cotati residents, including seniors and households with fixed or lower incomes. State legislation affecting resident protections, park operations, and fees imposed under mobilehome and manufactured housing laws can directly affect housing stability and affordability in Cotati.
Assembly Bill (AB) 25961 (Gipson) would add Civil Code Section 798.14.5, to the Mobilehome Residency Law, to clarify that, if a mobilehome park operator or owner fails to comply with federal law or other federal requirements imposed in connection with a federally approved housing program, the operator or owner must nevertheless ensure ongoing compliance with applicable state laws and local ordinances, including the Mobilehome Residency Law and specified provisions of the Unruh Civil Rights Act2. In other words, the bill would clarify that noncompliance with federal program requirements does not displace otherwise applicable state and local protections.
1 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB2596 2 The Unruh Civil Rights Act is a California law that prohibits businesses from engaging in unlawful discrimination against all persons.
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Cotati has also adopted a Senior Mobilehome Park Overlay Zone, to preserve a variety and balance of housing types within the city and to provide assurances that existing senior mobilehome parks remain available to seniors. The Overlay applies to the City’s Countryside senior mobilehome park and includes requirements relating to senior occupancy, park identification, ongoing verification and annual certification of compliance, and enforcement through the Cotati Municipal Code. These local requirements reflect the City’s interest in preserving senior mobilehome housing stock and ensuring continued compliance with local protections applicable to those parks.
On April 6, 2026, the City of Petaluma agendized and authorized support for AB 2596. At this time, Cal Cities has a position of ”watch” on this bill.
Analysis/Discussion
AB 2596 would help preserve clarity and continuity in the legal protections that apply within mobilehome parks. The bill would make clear that noncompliance with federal requirements tied to a federally approved housing program does not displace ongoing obligations under California law and local ordinances. This clarification has practical significance for Cotati because the City has adopted a Senior Mobilehome Park Overlay Zone intended to preserve important senior mobilehome housing stock and to help ensure that senior mobilehome parks remain available to seniors. This bill would help clarify that, even where a park operator or owner fails to comply with federal law or other federal requirements imposed in connection with a federally approved housing program, applicable state laws and local ordinances remain in effect and enforceable.
That clarification would reinforce the continued enforceability of local protections such as Cotati’s overlay requirements relating to senior occupancy, identification of senior parks, and compliance verification. The City is currently involved in two lawsuits concerning the Senior Mobilehome Park Overlay Zone, and AB 2596 may help clarify that local ordinances such as Cotati’s remain enforceable notwithstanding noncompliance with federal program requirements.
Financial Considerations
There are no direct financial considerations for sending a letter of support on AB 2596 to Assemblymember Gipson.
Environmental Issues
Where it can be determined with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA review.
This general rule can be applied to activities which could be subject to the CEQA process, but which logic dictates should not be subject to CEQA review. Therefore, based on the information provided above, the proposed resolution is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 14.03.021 of the CEQA Guidelines in that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant impact on the environment.
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April 14, 2026
The Honorable Mike Gipson
California State Assembly
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
SUBJECT: Assembly Bill (AB) 2596 (Gipson), Mobilehome Parks: Federally Approved Housing Programs: Compliance with State and Local Laws.
Notice of SUPPORT (As Introduced 2/20/2026)
Dear Assembly Member Gipson,
The City of Cotati (Cotati) is pleased to support AB 2596 (Gipson), which would clarify that a mobilehome park operator or owner that fails to comply with federal law or other federal requirements imposed in connection with a federally approved housing program must nevertheless remain in ongoing compliance with applicable state laws and local ordinances.
This clarification is important. Mobilehome parks provide a critical source of housing for many residents, including seniors and households on fixed or limited incomes. Residents and local agencies alike benefit when state law makes clear that federal program issues do not create uncertainty about the continued enforceability of the Mobilehome Residency Law, the Unruh Civil Rights Act, and local ordinances designed to protect health, safety, and fair treatment.
For jurisdictions like Cotati, local ordinances are an important part of preserving senior mobilehome housing stock and protecting residents who rely on it. Cotati’s Senior Mobilehome Park Overlay Zone was adopted to preserve a variety and balance of housing types within the city and to help ensure that senior mobilehome parks remain available to seniors. AB 2596 could help confirm that these kinds of local protections remain enforceable notwithstanding noncompliance with federal program requirements.
For these reasons, the City fully supports AB 2596 (Gipson) and other similar regulations designed to protect senior Mobilehome parks and urges your <continued> support.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Lemus
Mayor
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: PUBLIC HEARINGS (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: FOOD AND MOBILE BUSINESS ORDINANCE
Date: April 14, 2026
Written by: Autumn Buss, Associate Planner
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council hold a public hearing and introduce an ordinance amending Cotati Municipal Code Title 17 (Land Use) and Chapter 9.36 (Conduct in Parks, Plazas, Streets, Sidewalks, and Other Places) to establish standards for food and mobile businesses.
Background
Recent changes in State law have expanded the food-based business opportunities allowed “byright” throughout the state. These changes include the creation of Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs), which essentially function as home-based restaurants. Additional allowances have been made to significantly increase the protections for stationary and roaming sidewalk vending of food and merchandise. In addition, the prevalence of public interest in food trucks, mobile food vendors, outdoor dining, and other food-related business activities has increased over the past decade or more. Adopting updated standards and policies can help the City to manage food, mobile, and outdoor businesses more advantageously in terms of economic development, management of impacts, efficient approvals, and effective enforcement.
The Planning Commission held a public workshop on these topics on January 20, 2026, and provided feedback to staff. The City Council also held a workshop on January 27, 2026, and provided feedback and direction to staff regarding development of a draft ordinance to amend the City’s Municipal Code. The staff reports for these workshops include additional background on these topics.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the draft ordinance on March 13, 2026, and recommended that the City Council adopt the ordinance.
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Analysis/Discussion
The draft ordinance seeks to create and update regulation of a wide variety of businesses including sidewalk vendors; food trucks and food carts at events, in parklets, on private property, and in the industrial area of the city; outdoor dining; MEHKOs; chicken keeping; market gardens and community gardens; and home occupations, as allowed under state law. Guidelines for temporary parklets, which are not part of the draft ordinance, are also discussed in this report.
Since Cotati has relatively few of these types of businesses and activities at this time, the draft ordinance attempts to prepare the City for a number of potential situations that staff believes may arise at some time in the near future. In addition, the ordinance addresses activities on both public and private property, as well as activities that are authorized and protected by State law and those that the City has fuller authority to regulate. For these reasons, the draft ordinance is wide-ranging and features different layers of standards.
A redline version of the code amendments proposed by the draft ordinance is included as Attachment A to this report.
Sidewalk Vending
Sidewalk vending of food and merchandise is broadly permitted and protected by State law, with limited opportunity for local regulation. In accordance with State law, the draft ordinance defines “sidewalk vending” as using nonmotorized conveyances and conducting sales of food and/or merchandise on public sidewalks or public pedestrian paths, including sidewalks and paths in parks. Sidewalk vending does not require permission from adjacent property owners.
The draft ordinance includes standards, within the limits of State law, intended to reduce the potential impacts of sidewalk vending, including the following:
1. Require City business license and County health permit and/or State seller’s permit, as applicable.
2. Location requirements:
a. No operation on private property, roadways, or landscaped areas. b. No blocking sidewalks.
c. Maintain ADA/accessibility.
d. Stationary vendors prohibited in residential-only zoning districts (Rural Residential (RR) and Residential Very Low (RVL)).
e. Maintain distance from street furniture, intersections, events and farmers’ market, building entrances, other sidewalk vendors, etc. as determined by health, safety, and welfare concerns identified in consultation with City departments and Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District.
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3. Operating standards:
a. Hours of operation:
i. Residential zoning districts 8:00am to 7:00pm.
ii. Other districts 7:00am to 11:00 pm.
iii. Parks: During open hours only.
b. Maintain a clean, litter-free area; immediately clean up food/fluid spills. c. Operation must be self-contained and limited to 25 square feet in area. d. Must meet performance standards for noise, odor, or other potential nuisances. e. Stationary vendors must have permission to use a restroom located within 200 feet if staying in one location for an hour or more.
f. Roaming vendors may stop only when conducting sales and when a queue is formed; after finishing sales must move at least 200 feet before stopping again. g. Limits on size and type of signage (no flashing/blinking lights). h. May not provide dining area, furniture, or cover for customers. i. Cart or other conveyance may not be motorized (including electric). j. Must adhere to City’s polysterene ban.
k. Other specific standards as determined by health, safety, and welfare concerns identified in consultation with City departments and Rancho Adobe Fire District.
The changes in State law are intended to prevent criminalization of sidewalk vending. Therefore, the enforcement remedies available to the City, and included in the draft ordinance, are as follows:
1. Violation of the City’s standards may result in administrative fines not exceeding $100 (first violation), $200 (second violation), and $500 (per additional violation) in one year, as allowed by State law. No additional fines or fees are allowed.
2. No violation of the City’s code or failure to pay administrative fines may be punishable as an infraction or misdemeanor.
3. Fined vendors may request an ability-to-pay determination which may result in fine reduction to 20% of amount.
State law also allows jurisdictions to adopt impoundment standards for repeat violations of the code. However, staff has determined that at this time impoundment would present a greater logistical challenge than would be justified. In addition, although the State law allows jurisdictions to implement a sidewalk vending permit program, this may require a level of additional administration that strains current staffing levels in Cotati. Adopting specific location and operating standards as proposed in the ordinance, and pursuing enforcement against those vendors that do not comply to the standards, is likely to be more efficient.
Food Trucks and Food Carts
Unlike sidewalk vending as discussed above, the City has authority to regulate the operation of food trucks, as well as food carts that are not public sidewalk vendors. Food trucks and carts 36 of 202
have the potential to create economic opportunities and increase consumer dining options.
Standards proposed in the draft ordinance would help manage potential negative impacts that might arise from food truck and cart activity in the city. For the purposes of the ordinance, a “food cart” includes not only carts, trailers, and wagons, but also stands, tables, and other mobile or portable assemblies for food preparation and service.
The draft ordinance includes standards to address the following situations:
1. Food truck and food cart general operating standards for a range of situations including special events and temporary parklets on public parking. Public sidewalk vendors as defined by the Code are not included in this section of the draft ordinance.
2. Operation of food trucks and carts on private property in commercial zoning districts.
3. Food trucks operating in the Commercial Industrial (CI) zoning district on an intermittent, short-term basis on private property and in the public right-of-way.
Specific standards proposed in the ordinance include the following:
1. All food trucks and food carts, regardless of setting or location:
a. City business license and County health permit required. b. Operational standards to maintain health and safety including clean and litter-free conditions, noise control, keeping spills out of storm drains, access to restrooms with handwashing facilities, etc.
c. Self-contained operation.
d. Signage limits, including no flashing signs permitted. e. Public circulation infrastructure, including sidewalks and travel lanes, shall not be blocked or impeded.
2. Food trucks and food carts on private property:
a. Allows food trucks and carts to operate on any property that is zoned commercial, mixed use, industrial, or specific plan (Downtown, Transit-Oriented, Santero Way), as follows:
i. By-right (zoning clearance only), in compliance with specific operating standards.
ii. Minor Use Permit (MUP) required in the following cases:
1. In the CD or the specific plan zoning districts, if the food truck or cart site is within 100 feet of a dwelling on a different, residentially-owned property;
2. In the DSP Historic Core (HC) zone; or
3. For multiple trucks and/or carts operating simultaneously on a single property.
iii. The primary use on the property may be any business type, or the property may be vacant.
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b. Setbacks:
i. Food trucks must comply with setbacks per property zoning if location abuts a residential use.
ii. Food carts may be in front and street side setbacks, and in rear and interior side setbacks if abutting non-residential uses.
c. Parking:
i. Placement of truck or cart must maintain required parking for primary use. ii. Customers must have access to 2 private or public spaces adjacent to location (may be shared with primary use).
d. Operating hours may be between 7:00am and the later of 1) 11:00pm, or 2) the closing time of any other business on the property (including set-up and takedown time). This closing time flexibility is intended to allow alcohol-serving businesses without kitchens to arrange for food service for their patrons. e. Food carts may occupy a maximum area of 100 square feet. f. Food trucks and carts may provide an outdoor dining area for customers, of a maximum area of 100 square feet. (Exceptions may be approved with a MUP). g. Truck, cart, and all equipment must be removed nightly. (The exception is trucks that use on-site restaurant as commissary, or with MUP and Health Department approval.)
h. No blocking emergency access; ADA/accessibility must be maintained. i. Amplified music is prohibited, unless with a limited term, special event, use, or other City permit.
3. Food trucks operating in the Commercial Industrial (CI) zoning district:
a. Intended to allow for short-term intermittent operation with standards reduced from those typically required for private property operation as described above. b. Operating hours may be between 7:00am and 6:00pm.
c. No outdoor dining permitted.
d. On private properties:
i. Property owner permission required.
ii. Maximum two hours on a property.
e. In the public right-of-way:
i. Operation from approved parking spaces only.
ii. Streets with speed limit 35mph or higher prohibited. iii. All customer access and sales must be from sidewalk/non-roadway side of truck.
iv. Must relocate at least 500 feet away after two hours of operation in one location.
v. No blocking sidewalks, driveways, emergency access, etc. vi. No encroachment onto private property without owner permission.
It should be noted that food truck operation on public streets in other zoning districts is not 38 of 202
proposed at this time.
Parklets
Parklets guidelines are not included in the Land Use Code but rather are staff-implemented policies developed with input from City departments and updated as needed. Parklet guidelines address both “developed” parklets (those that involve a semi-permanent installation that occupies parking spaces for an indefinite time period) and “temporary” parklets (those that are in place for short and/or intermittent periods and involve minimal physical installations).
Although parklets are not addressed by the ordinance, staff wishes to obtain City Council concurrence with updated guidelines relating to temporary parklets as follows:
1. Allow food trucks and food carts to occupy temporary parklets on public parking, by invitation of an adjacent host business and with City approval and a Sonoma County health permit. (Note that food truck or food cart operation on private parking would be addressed by the ordinance standards for operation on private property as discussed above.)
2. Allow any type of business to host a temporary parklet.
3. Operating hours may be the same as host business.
4. Set operating limits for temporary parklets to minimize potential impacts:
a. Maximum number of days per year: 40
b. Maximum number of consecutive days of operation: 3
c. Minimum number of days between operation: 4
5. A temporary parklet must be fully dismantled and removed daily at the end of the host business’ operation.
6. Temporary parklets must be spaced at least 100 feet from other temporary parklet (while in operation).
The Parklets and Outdoor Dining Guidelines document, which addresses temporary parklets in Section E, is included as Attachment B.
Outdoor Dining
The City’s land use code allows outdoor dining by-right for permitted restaurants and other foodand beverage-serving businesses. The exception to this is when the subject dining area is on a private property “abutting” a residential use in the Downtown Commercial (CD), Downtown Specific Plan (DSP), Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC), and Santero Way (SW) zoning districts, in which case a Minor Use Permit (MUP) is required. This provision does not take property size or specific placement of the proposed outdoor dining relative to nearby residential into account, however. Nor does it account for mixed-use developments which may include both residential and commercial uses, or the underlying zoning of a nearby property occupied with residential uses.
The draft ordinance would refine and clarify the situations where an MUP is required, in order to 39 of 202
reduce confusion and barriers to outdoor dining. An MUP would be required in the CD, DSP, TOC, and SW zoning districts when:
1. The proposed outdoor dining location is within 100 feet of a dwelling; and
2. That dwelling unit is located on a different property from the proposed outdoor dining; and
3. That property is residentially-zoned (RR, RVL, NL, NM, or NU).
This standard would also be applied to food trucks and food carts on private properties in the CD, DSP, TOC, and SW zoning districts.
Outdoor dining on public property, such as sidewalks, is approved via a license agreement rather than a MUP process. The notification of adjacent residents and limitations to reduce potential impacts on them (which is the role of the MUP), can be included in the license agreement process as well.
It should be noted that any restaurant or food-serving business wishing to feature amplified music or entertainment, either indoor or outdoor, would be required to obtain permission through a limited term, use, or other City permit.
Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs)
The County of Sonoma passed an ordinance, effective January 2025, that requires that all jurisdictions in the county allow MEHKOs in accordance with state law, under which the City has extremely limited latitude for regulation. However, addressing MEHKOs as a land use in the Code is appropriate in order to provide a framework for enforcement of State, County and local standards to the extent possible.
The draft ordinance would:
1. Define MEHKOs in the land use code and specify that they are allowed by-right in any residential use.
2. Require that MEHKOs have a current City of Cotati Business License and permit from Sonoma County Environmental Health.
3. Clarify that MEHKOs are subject to City performance standards related to nuisances (such as odors, noise, etc.), the Sonoma County code, and State law.
4. Exempt MEHKOs from the City’s home occupation standards, as these may not legally be applied.
Chickens
Current code language states that chicken-keeping may occur accessory to a residential use and is allowed in any residential or commercial zoning district. However, as residential uses also exist in Cotati in zoning districts that are categorized as “mixed use” and “specific plan,” the draft ordinance would stipulate that chicken-keeping is permitted in residential uses in any 40 of 202
zoning district. Existing standards for chicken-keeping are designed to minimize impacts on adjacent uses.
Market Gardens, Garden Stands, and Community Gardens
Similar to chicken-keeping, the market garden and garden stand land uses are allowed by the code accessory to a residential use, and standards are in place to minimize impacts. However, the land use tables in the code restrict market gardens and garden stands to the residential-only zoning districts, even though residential uses are permitted in commercial and mixed use zones.
Therefore, the draft ordinance proposes to allow market gardens and garden stands accessory to any residential use regardless of zoning.
Community gardens are currently allowed only in residential zoning districts. Given that community gardens are generally most successful when located near multifamily residential, which is allowed in the city’s commercial and mixed use zoning districts, the ordinance would allow community gardens in all zoning districts with the exception of industrial.
Home Occupations
Currently the land use code requires that home occupation activities be confined to one room in the dwelling, which shall not occupy more than 25% of the ground floor. Given technological advances and the rise of remote work, confining home occupation to a single room and to the ground floor is no longer practical.
The draft ordinance would remove these restrictions, while maintaining the requirement that a home occupation not occupy more than 25% of the dwelling’s total floor area. The code does currently allow home occupation to take place inside a permitted enclosed accessory dwelling, a standard that is proposed to be retained.
Finally, it is proposed that the home occupation code section be amended to include market gardens and gardens stands, which are allowed accessory to residential uses, as approved home occupations. The ordinance would further allow these occupations to take place outdoors including in the front setback. Specific use standards elsewhere in the code set forth requirements for market gardens and gardens stands to minimize impacts to neighboring uses.
Planning Commission Recommendation
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed ordinance on March 16, 2026, and passed a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the ordinance with several amendments, which have been included in the draft that is before the Council, as follows:
1. Extend the length of time that a food truck may operate for intermittent, short-term use in a single location in the CI zone, either private property or public parking spaces, from one hour to two hours.
2. Extend the allowable operating hours for food trucks and food carts to operate on private property to the later of 11:00pm or the closing time of any other business on the property. 41 of 202
3. Strengthen language prohibiting dumping of wastewater or any other fluids into or near storm drains.
4. Clarify that use of amplified music by food trucks or food carts may occur only with a limited term or other City permit.
Financial Considerations
With the exception of the staff time to prepare this report, there will be no financial impact to the City from the adoption of this ordinance.
Environmental Issues
The proposed ordinance to establish standards for food and mobile businesses is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as it is consistent with the program Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH# 2013082037) for the Cotati General Plan Update that was certified on March 24, 2015 (Resolution Number 2015-11), as well as consistent with and implements the City’s adopted General Plan. In addition, no new environmental impacts peculiar to the project site(s) have been realized or identified. Therefore, no additional environmental analysis is required under CEQA Section 15183, and pursuant to Section 15168 of the CEQA Guidelines, no further environmental review is required.
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ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI AMENDING COTATI MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 17 (LAND USE) AND CHAPTER 9.36 (CONDUCT IN PARKS, PLAZAS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, AND OTHER PLACES)
TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR FOOD AND MOBILE BUSINESSES
WHEREAS, on March 24, 2015, the Cotati City Council adopted its updated General Plan (Resolution No. 2015-12), which identifies the City’s vision for the future and provides a framework to guide decisions on growth and development consistent with the quality of life desired by Cotati citizens. On March 24, 2015, the Cotati City Council also certified the City of Cotati General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which reviewed potentially significant environmental effects resulting from the plan’s implementation and developed measures and policies to mitigate those impacts to less-than-significant levels; and WHEREAS, one of the purposes of Title 17 of the Cotati Municipal Code is to ensure that the General Plan may be implemented, and adoption of changes to the Cotati Land Use Code are necessary to implement the General Plan with regard to its goals; and WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of California has in Government Code Sections 65302, 65560, and 65800 conferred upon local governments the authority to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of its citizenry; and WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of California has in Government Code Sections 51038 and 51039 conferred upon local governments the authority to adopt certain regulations pertaining to the time, place, and manner of sidewalk vending that are designed to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of its citizenry; are necessary to the public’s use and enjoyment of natural resources and recreational opportunities in public parks; and are necessary to prevent an undue concentration of commercial activity that unreasonably interferes with the scenic and natural character of public parks, and to cite, fine, and prosecute sidewalk vendors for violation of such regulations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that adopting regulations pertaining to the time, place, and manner of sidewalk vending are necessary to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of its citizenry; to the public’s use and enjoyment of natural resources and recreational opportunities in public parks; and to prevent an undue concentration of commercial activity that unreasonably interferes with the scenic and natural character of public parks; and WHEREAS, in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 114367, the County of Sonoma adopted by ordinance Sonoma County Code Section 14-3-070, which authorizes Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs) in all jurisdictions within Sonoma County; and
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WHEREAS, food and mobile businesses such as food trucks, food carts, and MEHKOs, as well as outdoor dining, home occupations, and urban agriculture present significant economic development and community enrichment opportunities for Cotati; and WHEREAS, on January 20, 2026, the Planning Commission of the City of Cotati held a public workshop to discuss standards for a potential ordinance to regulate food and mobile businesses, heard public comment on this topic, and provided feedback to staff regarding development of such ordinance; and
WHEREAS, on January 27, 2026, the City Council of the City of Cotati held a public workshop to standards for a potential ordinance to regulate food and mobile businesses, heard public comment on this topic, and provided feedback to staff regarding development of such ordinance; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2026, the Planning Commission of the City of Cotati held a duly noticed public hearing to review the proposed ordinance amending Cotati Municipal Code Title 17 (Land Use) and Chapter 9.36 (Conduct in Parks, Plazas, Streets, Sidewalks, and Other Places) to establish standards for food and mobile businesses. After receiving the staff report, reviewing a presentation from the Planning Division, and considering all oral and written comments submitted to the City regarding the Ordinance, the Planning Commission voted to approve a resolution recommending adoption of the proposed ordinance; and WHEREAS, on April 14, 2026, the City Council of the City of Cotati held a duly noticed public hearing on the proposed ordinance amending Cotati Municipal Code Title 17 (Land Use) and Chapter 9.36 (Conduct in Parks, Plazas, Streets, Sidewalks, and Other Places) to establish standards for food and mobile businesses, received the staff report, reviewed a presentation from the Planning Division, and considered all oral and written comments submitted to the City regarding the Ordinance prior to voting to introduce the Ordinance.
NOW THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: Recitals.
The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated into the findings herein.
SECTION 2: Record.
The Record of Proceedings (“Record”) upon which the City Council makes its decision includes, but is not limited to: 1) the 2015 General Plan, 2) the FEIR certified for the 2015 General Plan, and 3) all staff reports, City files and records, and other documents prepared for and/or submitted to the City Council related to adoption of the ordinance amending Cotati Municipal Code Title 17 (Land Use) and Chapter 9.36 (Conduct in Parks, Plazas, Streets, Sidewalks, and Other Places) to establish standards for food and mobile businesses.
SECTION 3: General Plan Consistency
The Council of the City of Cotati does hereby find that the amendments to Cotati Municipal Code Title 17 (Land Use) and Chapter 9.36 (Conduct in Parks, Plazas, Streets, Sidewalks, and 44 of 202
Other Places) to establish standards for food and mobile businesses, as set forth in this Ordinance, are in the best interest of the City in that they will further established goals, policies, and implementation programs of the General Plan, to promote community health and welfare, foster economic development, and use land appropriately.
Specifically, these amendments are consistent with and implement the following General Plan policies and programs:
Policy CHW 3.3: Recognize that urban agriculture has the potential to supplement the availability of fresh fruit and vegetables in the community, provide economic opportunities to Cotati residents, lower food costs, reduce overall energy consumption, and build social cohesion.
Goal EV1: Establish and maintain a healthy local economy that includes a diversity of commercial and industrial enterprises which provide goods, services, and employment opportunities to residents consistent with Cotati’s small-town image.
Policy EV 1.1: Attract and retain economic sectors in which Cotati has competitive advantages, and capitalize on these strengths in order to diversify local economic activities.
Policy EV 1.11: Encourage commercial uses that provide everyday goods and services for residents.
Policy EV 1.12: Encourage the growth of new commercial enterprises within appropriately zoned area while maintaining the stability of the existing commercial businesses.
Policy LU 2.9: Encourage a concentration of neighborhood, community, and retail amenities and services within walking distance of residential areas.
Policy LU 2.12: Continue to permit home occupations in residential areas, provided they do not alter the residential character of the neighborhood.
Goal LU 3: Provide for a range of commercial, industrial, and mixed use to provide Cotati’s residents access to jobs and employment and to support the local economy.
Policy LU 3.1: Encourage a vibrant mix of retail, service, and office uses in the downtown area and along E. Cotati Avenue.
Policy LU 3.10: Ensure that all commercial and other nonresidential development is compatible with adjacent land uses, particularly residential uses.
SECTION 4: Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
The Council of the City of Cotati does hereby find that the proposed ordinance to amend Cotati Municipal Code Title 17 (Land Use) and Chapter 9.36 (Conduct in Parks, Plazas, Streets, Sidewalks, and Other Places) to establish standards for food and mobile businesses is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as the proposed ordinance is consistent with the program Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH# 2013082037) for the45 of 202 Cotati General Plan Update that was certified on March 24, 2015 (Resolution Number 2015- 11); that this ordinance is consistent with and implements the City’s adopted General Plan; and that no new environmental impacts peculiar to the project site(s) have been realized or identified. Therefore, no additional environmental analysis is required under CEQA Section 15183, and pursuant to Section 15168 of the CEQA Guidelines, no further environmental review is required.
SECTION 5: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code. Section 9.36.040 Commercial Activity is amended as follows:
9.36.040 Commercial activity
No person shall sell or offer for sale any merchandise, article or thing whatsoever in any park without the prior written consent of the city, with the exception of sidewalk vendors where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses) of this title and consistent with Section
17.42.260 of this title.
SECTION 6: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code. Section 17.22.020 Allowable land uses and planning permit requirements is amended as follows:
17.22.020 Allowable land uses and planning permit requirements.
A. Allowable Land Uses. The land uses allowed by this land use code in each zoning district are listed in Tables 2-2, 2-3, and 2-4 of this chapter, together with the type of planning permit required for each use. Each land use listed in Tables 2-2, 2-3, and 2-4 is defined in Article 9 (Glossary).
1. Establishment of an Allowable Use.
a. Any one or more land uses identified by Tables 2-2, 2-3, or 2-4 as being allowable within a specific zoning district may be established on any parcel within that zoning district, subject to the planning permit requirement listed in the tables, and in compliance with all applicable requirements of this land use code.
b. Where a single parcel is proposed for development with two or more of the land uses listed in the tables at the same time, the overall project shall be subject to the highest permit level required by the tables for any individual use. For example, a new multi-use building proposed with a permitted use on the second floor and a use requiring use permit approval on the ground floor would require use permit approval for the entire project.
2. Use Not Listed.
a. A land use that is not listed in Tables 2-2, 2-3, or 2-4 is not allowed within the city, except as otherwise provided in subsection (A)(3) of this section, or Section 17.22.030 (Exemptions from planning permit requirements) of this chapter.
b. A land use that is not listed in the tables within a particular zoning district is not allowed within that zoning district, except as otherwise provided in subsection (A)(3) of this section, or Section 17.22.030 (Exemptions from planning permit requirements) of this chapter.
3. Similar and Compatible Use May Be Allowed. The director may determine that a proposed use not listed in this chapter is allowable as follows:
a. Required Findings. The director may determine that a proposed use is similar to and 46 of 202
compatible with a listed use and may be allowed, only after first making all of the following findings:
i. The characteristics of, and activities associated with the use are similar to one or more of the listed uses, and will not involve greater impacts than the uses listed in the district; ii. The use will be consistent with the purposes of the applicable zoning district; iii. The use will be consistent with the general plan and any applicable specific plan; iv. The use will be compatible with the other uses allowed in the district; and v. The use is not listed as allowable in another zoning district.
A determination that a use qualifies as a "similar use" and the findings supporting the determination shall be in writing.
b. Applicable Standards and Permit Requirements. When the director determines that a proposed but unlisted use is similar to a listed use, the proposed use will be treated in the same manner as the listed use in determining where it is allowed, what permits are required, and what other standards and requirements of this land use code apply. c. Appeal. A determination of similar and compatible use may be appealed in compliance with Chapter 17.84 (Appeals) of this title.
B. Permit Requirements. Tables 2-2, 2-3, and 2-4 provide for land uses that are:
1. Permitted subject to compliance with all applicable provisions of this land use code, subject to first obtaining a zoning clearance (Section 17.62.020). These are shown as "P" uses in the tables;
2. Allowed subject to the approval of a minor use permit (Section 17.62.050), and shown as "MUP" uses in the tables;
3. Allowed subject to the approval of a use permit (Section 17.62.050), and shown as "UP" uses in the tables;
4. Allowed subject to the type of city approval required by a specific provision of Chapter 17.42 (Standards for Specific Land Uses) of this title, and shown as "S" uses in the tables; and
5. Not allowed in particular zoning districts, and shown as a " – " in the tables.
C. Additional City Approval Requirements. Any land use identified as allowable by Table 2-2, 2-3, or 2-4[1] may require design review (Section 17.62.040), a hillside development permit (Section 17.53.070), and/or a building permit in compliance with the municipal code, in addition to the required planning permit.
D. Standards for Specific Land Uses. Where the last column in the tables ("Specific Use Regulations") includes a section number, the regulations in the referenced section apply to the use. Provisions in other sections of this land use code may also apply.
Table 2-2
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Low Density and Neighborhood Zones 47 of 202
P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit required
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use
Regulations OSC OSR RR RVL NL NM NU
Agricultural and Open Space Uses
Agricultural accessory structure UP UP P P – – – 17.42.020 Animal keeping S S S S S S S 17.42.040
Crop production, horticulture,
orchard, vineyard(6)
– UP UP UP – – – 17.42.240
Market garden – – P P P P P 17.42.230,
17.42.240
Plant nursery – UP UP – – – –
Winery, small scale – – UP(2) – – – –
Industry, manufacturing and
processing, wholesaling
– – – – – – –
Artisan/craft product
manufacturing
– UP UP(3) – – – –
Recreation, Education and Public Assembly Uses
Community garden(6) – UP P P P P P 17.42.220,
17.42.240
Equestrian facility – UP UP – – – –
Meeting facility, public or private – UP – – UP UP UP
Park UP P P P P P P
Playground – P P P P P P
Private residential recreation
facility
– – – UP UP UP UP
School – Elementary, middle,
secondary
– – – UP UP UP –
Residential Uses
Accessory dwelling unit – – P P P P P 17.42.170
Caretaker quarters UP UP – – – – –
Cottage housing – – – – S S S 17.42.125
Home occupation – – P P P P P 17.42.080
Junior accessory dwelling unit – – P P P – – 17.42.170
Low barrier navigation center – – – – – – –
Microenterprise Home Kitchen
Operation (MEHKO)
– – P P P P P 17.42.270
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P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit required
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use
Regulations OSC OSR RR RVL NL NM NU
Mobilehome park – – UP UP UP UP UP 17.42.110
Mobile/manufactured home – – P P P P P 17.42.110
Multifamily plex housing, 2 units – – – – P P UP(4) 17.39.040 Multifamily plex housing, 3 to 9
units
– – – – P P P 17.39.040
Multifamily housing, 10 or more
units
– – – – – P P 17.39.030
Organizational house (sorority,
monastery, etc.)
– – – – – – UP
Residential accessory use or
structure
– – P P P P P 17.42.160
Residential care facility for the
elderly (RCFE)
– – UP UP UP UP UP
Residential care, 11 or more
clients
– – UP UP UP UP UP
Residential care, 6 or fewer
clients, in a single-family
dwelling
– – P P P P P
Residential care, 7 to 10 clients – – UP UP UP UP UP
Residential component of a mixed
use project
– – – – P P P 17.39.030,
17.39.040,
17.42.100
Rooming or boarding house – – – – – – UP
Single-family dwelling – – P P P UP(4) UP(4) 17.39.050
Supportive housing – – – – – P P
Retail Trade
Accessory retail and services – – – – UP UP UP
Convenience store, 1,200 sq. ft. or
less
– – – – UP UP UP
Farmers Market(6) – UP – – – – –
Garden Stand – – P P P P P 17.42.130,
17.42.230
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P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit required
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use
Regulations OSC OSR RR RVL NL NM NU
Produce stand(6) – UP UP UP – – – 17.42.130
Sidewalk vending(8) P P P P P P P 17.42.260
Services – Business and Professional
Medical services – Extended care – – – – – UP UP
Office – Accessory – P P P P P P
Services – – – – – – –
Adult day care – 6 or fewer clients – – P P P P P
Adult day care – 7 to 14 clients – – UP UP UP UP UP
Adult day care – 15 or more
clients
– – UP UP UP UP UP
Child day care – Small family day
care home
– UP P P P P P
Child day care – Large family day
care home
– – P P P – – 17.42.060
Child day care – Day care center – UP – – – UP UP 17.42.060 Kennel, animal boarding – – UP – – – –
Lodging – Bed and breakfast inn
(B&B)
– – UP UP – – – 17.42.050
Personal services – 1,000 sq. ft. or
less
– – – – – UP UP
Public safety facilities – – UP UP UP UP UP
Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure
Electric vehicle charging station(5) P P P P P P P 14.38 Solar collector S S S S S S S 17.30.084
Telecommunications facility(7) – S – – – – – 17.44;
17.44.065
Windmills – – UP – – – – 17.42.190
Key to Zoning District Symbols
OSC Open Space –
Conservation
NL Neighborhood – Low
Density
OSR Open Space – Recreation NM Neighborhood – Medium
Density
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Key to Zoning District Symbols
RR Rural Residential NU Neighborhood – Urban
RVL Residential, Very Low
Density
Notes:
(1) See Article 9 of this title for land use definitions. (2) May be approved only in conjunction with an on-site vineyard of three acres or larger. (3) May be approved only on a site of three acres or larger. (4) Use permit approval shall require that the review authority first find that the location of a proposed single-family dwelling or two-unit multifamily plex development (duplex) on a parcel will not preclude future subdivision and/or development in compliance with the general plan and this chapter.
(5) Permitted as an accessory use.
(6) Fees for crop production, horticulture, orchard, vineyard; community garden; farmers market; and produce stand planning permit applications shall be calculated at fifty percent of the fees set forth in the fee schedule as described in Section 17.60.060, Application fees. Use permit approval shall require that the review authority first find that the proposed use will be compatible with any nearby residential uses. Notices of public hearing for these uses shall be mailed to property owners within a radius from the subject site of six hundred feet, or greater at the director’s discretion.
(7) Telecommunications facilities are subject to the limited waiver provision and other regulations described in Chapter 17.44.
(8) Stationary sidewalk vending is not permitted in residential zoning districts. 51 of 202
Table 2-3
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Commercial, Mixed Use, and Industrial Districts P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use
Regulations
CE CG CD CI PF
Agricultural and Open Space Uses
Animal keeping S S S S – 17.42.040
Market Garden P P P – – 17.42.230,
17.42.240
Industry, Manufacturing and
Processing, Wholesaling
Agricultural product processing – – – P –
Artisan/craft product
manufacturing(5)
MUP MUP MUP P –
Brewery – Brew pub MUP MUP MUP MUP –
Brewery – Production – – – MUP –
Construction contractor – – – UP –
Food and beverage product
manufacturing
– – – MUP MUP
Furniture and fixtures manufacturing,
cabinet shop
– – – P –
Industrial research and development – MUP – P –
Laboratory – Medical, analytical,
research and development
P P – P –
Laundry, dry cleaning plant – – – UP –
Manufacturing/processing – Light – – – P –
Manufacturing/processing – Medium
intensity
– – – MUP –
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Manufacturing/processing – Heavy – – – UP –
Media production P P – P –
Printing and publishing UP UP – P –
Recycling – Reverse vending
machine
MUP MUP – – –
Recycling – Small collection facility UP UP – P – 17.42.150 Recycling – Medium collection
facility
– – – UP – 17.42.150
Storage – Outdoor – – – UP – 17.42.140
Storage – Personal storage facility
(mini-storage)
– – – – –
Storage – Warehouse, indoor storage – – – UP –
Wholesaling and distribution – – – UP –
Winery – Boutique – UP – MUP –
Winery – Production – – – MUP –
Recreation, Education and Public Assembly Uses
Adult-oriented business – – – S – 17.40
Commercial recreation facility –
Indoor – 5,000 sq. ft. or less
UP P – P –
Commercial recreation facility –
Indoor – More than 5,000 sq. ft.
UP MUP – UP –
Commercial recreation facility –
Outdoor
– – – UP –
Community garden(8) P P P – UP 17.42.220,
17.42.240
Conference/convention facility –
5,000 sq. ft. or less
UP MUP UP(2) MUP UP
Conference/convention facility –
More than 5,000 sq. ft.
UP UP UP(2) UP UP
Health/fitness facility UP P UP(2) P –
Library, museum P P MUP P P
Meeting facility, public or private –
5,000 sq. ft. or less
UP MUP MUP(2) MUP MUP
Meeting facility, public or private –
More than 5,000 sq. ft.
UP UP UP(2) UP UP
Park P P P – P
School – Elementary, middle,
secondary
UP(2) UP(2) – – UP
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School – Specialized
education/training
UP(2) UP(2) UP(2) UP UP
Sports and entertainment assembly – – – UP UP
Studio – Art, dance, martial arts,
music, etc.
P P MUP(2) P –
Theater UP MUP MUP MUP UP
Residential Uses
Accessory dwelling unit P P P – – 17.42.170
Emergency/transitional shelter – – S – S 17.42.072
Home occupation P P P – – 17.42.080
Live/work unit UP UP P UP – 17.42.090
Low barrier navigation center P P – – –
Microenterprise Home Kitchen
Operation (MEHKO)(9)
P P P P – 17.42.270
Residential care facility for the
elderly (RCFE)
UP MUP – – UP
Residential care facility, 7 or more
clients
UP – – – UP
Residential component of a mixed
use project
P P P – – 17.39.030,
17.39.040,
17.42.100
Supportive housing P P – – –
Retail Trade(3)
Accessory retail or services P P P P P
Alcoholic beverage sales –
Associated with a restaurant(4)
P P P P – 17.42.030
Alcoholic beverage sales UP UP UP – – 17.42.030
Antique or collectible store MUP P MUP – –
Artisan shop P P P P –
Auto and vehicle sales and rental – UP – MUP –
Auto parts sales with no installation
services
– P – P –
Bar, tavern UP UP UP – –
Building and landscape materials
sales – Indoor
– P – P –
Building and landscape materials
sales – Outdoor
– UP – MUP – 17.42.130
Construction and heavy equipment
sales and rental
– – – MUP – 17.42.130
Convenience store UP UP – UP –
Drive-through retail – UP – UP – 17.42.070
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Extended hour retail UP MUP MUP MUP –
Farm supply and feed store – P – P –
Farmers market(8) MUP MUP MUP MUP UP
Food cart(10) P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP 17.42.250
Food truck(10) P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP 17.42.250
Formula-based fast food restaurant S S S – – 17.42.071
Fuel dealer (propane for home and
farm use, etc.)
– – – UP –
Furniture, furnishings and appliance
store
P P UP P –
Garden stand P P P – – 17.42.130,
17.42.230
General retail – Less than 5,000 sq.
ft.
P P P P –
General retail – 5,000 sq. ft. to
20,000 sq. ft.
P P P P –
General retail – More than 20,000 sq.
ft.
UP P UP P –
Groceries, specialty foods – 10,000
sq. ft. or less
P P P P –
Groceries, specialty foods – More
than 10,000 sq. ft.
UP MUP UP MUP –
Mobilehome, boat, or RV sales – – – MUP –
Night club UP UP UP – –
Outdoor display and sales MUP MUP MUP MUP – 17.42.130
Plant nursery – MUP – MUP –
Restaurant – Outdoor dining on
private property(6)
P/
MUP
P/
MUP
P/
MUP
P/
MUP
– 17.42.130
Restaurant – Outdoor dining in
public right of way
P P P P 17.42.130
Restaurant, cafe, coffee shop P P P P –
Retail complex UP P UP P –
Retail display gallery – P P – – 17.90.020
Second hand store UP UP UP – –
Service station (nonfossil fuels sales) UP UP UP – – 17.42.180 Sidewalk vending P P P P P 17.42.260
Tasting room UP P P P –
Warehouse retail – MUP – UP –
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Services – Business, Financial, Professional
ATM P P P P –
Bank, financial services P P UP P –
Business support service P P P(2) UP –
Medical services – Doctor office UP P(2) P(2) – –
Medical services – Clinic, urgent
care
UP – – – –
Office – Accessory P P P P P
Office – Business/service UP UP(2) P(2) P –
Office – Government MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP
Office – Processing UP(2) MUP UP(2) MUP –
Office – Professional/administrative P P P(2) P –
Services – General
Accessory retail or services P P P P P 17.42.015
Adult day care UP – – – UP
Catering service – – – P –
Child day care center MUP P MUP MUP UP
Drive-through service – UP – – – 17.42.070
Equipment rental – – – MUP – 17.42.140
Kennel, animal boarding – MUP – MUP –
Lodging – Bed and breakfast inn
(B&B)
P P MUP – –
Lodging – Boutique hotel or motel UP UP UP – –
Lodging – Hotel or motel UP UP UP – –
Maintenance service – Client site
services
– – – P –
Mortuary, funeral home UP – – – –
Personal services P P P P –
Personal services – Restricted UP(2) – – – –
Public safety facility UP UP UP UP P
Repair service – Equipment, large
appliances, etc.
– – – P –
Social service organization MUP(2) MUP(2) – MUP UP
Vehicle services – Major repair/body
work
– – – MUP –
Vehicle services – Minor
maintenance/repair
– – – MUP –
Veterinary clinic, animal hospital MUP P – P –
Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure
56 of 202
Ambulance, taxi, or limousine
storage
– – – UP –
Broadcasting studio – UP(2) UP(2) MUP –
Electric vehicle charging station(7) P P P P P 14.38
Parking facility, public or
commercial
UP UP UP – P
Telecommunications facility S S S S S 17.44
Transit station or terminal UP UP UP UP UP
Utility facility – – – UP UP
Vehicle storage – – – UP –
Key to Zoning District Symbols
CE East Cotati Avenue
Corridor
CI Commercial/Industrial
District
CG Gravenstein Highway
Corridor
PF Public Facility District
CD Downtown Commercial
Notes:
(1) See Article 9 for land use definitions.
(2) Use allowed only on second or upper floors, in compliance with Section 17.24.050(C), Limitation on the Location of Allowable Land Uses, or behind an allowed ground floor street frontage use. (3) See Section 17.42.165, Retail use maximum floor area. (4) When the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control allows customers under twenty-one years of age on the premises.
(5) Artisan/craft product manufacturing uses proposed in the CE, CG, CD, HC, LP, NG, and CA districts must be located within buildings and suites designed and oriented to engage and encourage pedestrian activity and interaction with the surrounding uses. Uses in these districts must also include retail storefront presence and design characteristics, with production and manufacturing design elements (such as loading doors, material storage, etc.) oriented away from the primary entrances and street frontages of developments where they are located.
(6) MUP required for outdoor dining on private property in the CD district when the outdoor dining location is within one hundred feet of a dwelling on a different property that is zoned RR, RVL, NL, NM, or NU.
(7) Permitted as an accessory use.
(8) Fees for community garden and farmers market planning permit applications shall be calculated at fifty percent of the fees set forth in the fee schedule as described in Section 17.60.060, Application fees.
Use permit approval shall require that the review authority first find that the proposed use will be compatible with any nearby residential uses. Notices of public hearings shall be mailed to property owners within a radius from the subject site of six hundred feet, or greater at the director’s discretion.57 of 202 Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts
P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations HC LP NG CA TOC SW Agricultural and Open Space Uses
Animal keeping S S S S S S 17.42.040
Market garden P P P P P P 17.42.230, 17.42.240
Industry, Manufacturing
and Processing, Wholesaling
Agricultural product
processing
– – – – -- –
Artisan/craft product
manufacturing(5)
MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP
Brewery – Brew pub MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP --
Brewery – Production – – – -- -- –
Construction contractor – – – – -- UP*
Food and beverage product
manufacturing
– – – – -- MUP*
Furniture and fixtures
manufacturing, cabinet shop
– – – -- MUP MUP*
Industrial research and
development
– -- – MUP MUP MUP*
Laboratory – Medical,
analytical, research and
development
-- -- – MUP MUP MUP*
Laundry, dry cleaning plant – – – – -- –
Manufacturing/processing –
Light
– – – -- MUP MUP*
Manufacturing/processing –
Medium intensity
– – – -- -- –
Manufacturing/processing –
Heavy
– – – – -- –
Media production -- -- – P P MUP*
(9) Allowed in residential occupancies only.
(10) MUP required for a food truck or food cart on private property in the CD district when the food truck or cart location is within one hundred feet of a dwelling on a different property that is zoned RR, RVL, NL, NM, or NU, or for multiple food trucks and/or carts operating simultaneously on a single property. 58 of 202
Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts
P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations HC LP NG CA TOC SW Printing and publishing -- -- – MUP MUP MUP*
Recycling – Reverse vending
machine
-- -- – – – –
Recycling – Small collection
facility
-- -- – -- -- – 17.42.150
Recycling – Medium
collection facility
– – – -- -- – 17.42.150
Storage – Outdoor – – -- -- UP UP* 17.42.140
Storage – Personal storage
facility (mini-storage)
– – – – – –
Storage – Warehouse, indoor
storage
– – – -- – –
Wholesaling and distribution – – – UP UP –
Winery – Boutique – -- UP UP UP –
Winery – Production – – – -- -- –
Recreation, Education and Public Assembly Uses
Adult-oriented business – – – – -- – 17.40
Commercial recreation facility
– Indoor
UP UP UP UP UP UP
Commercial recreation facility
– Outdoor
– – – -- – –
Community garden P P P P P P 17.42.220, 17.42.240
Conference/convention facility -- -- UP) UP UP --
Health/fitness facility UP P P) P P MUP
Library, museum P -- P P P --
Meeting facility, public or
private
-- UP UP) UP UP --
Park, Playground P P P P P P
School – Specialized
education/training
UP ) UP) UP UP UP
59 of 202
Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts
P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations HC LP NG CA TOC SW Sports and entertainment
assembly
– – UP UP – --
Studio – Art, dance, martial
arts, music, etc.
P P P) P P P
Theater UP -- MUP MUP MUP UP*
Residential Uses
Accessory dwelling unit P P P P P P 17.42.170
Emergency/transitional shelter S S S S S -- 17.42.072
Home occupation P P P P P P 17.42.080
Live/work unit UP UP P UP UP UP 17.42.090
Low barrier navigation center P P P P P –
Microenterprise home kitchen
operation (MEHKO) (9)
P P P P P P 17.42.270
Mobile Home Park UP UP UP UP UP UP 17.42.11
Multifamily Plex housing -- -- -- -- UP MUP 17.39.03 & 17.39.04 Multifamily housing 10+ units S S S S UP P 17.28.050 & 17.39.030 Residential care facility for the
elderly (RCFE)
-- UP UP UP UP UP
Residential care facility, 7 or
more clients
-- UP – – UP UP
Residential component of a
mixed use project
P P P P P P 17.39.030, 17.39.040, 17.42.100
Supportive housing P P P P P P
Retail Trade(3)
Accessory retail or services P P P P P P
Alcoholic beverage sales –
Associated with a restaurant(4)
P P P P P P 17.42.030
Alcoholic beverage sales-off
sale
UP UP UP UP UP – 17.42.030
Antique or collectible store P P P P P –
Artisan/craft project
manufacturing
MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP
60 of 202
Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts
P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations HC LP NG CA TOC SW Artisan shop P P P P P MUP
Auto and vehicle sales and
rental
– UP – MUP UP –
Auto parts sales with no
installation services
– -- P P P –
Bar, tavern UP UP UP UP UP –
Brewery-Brew pub MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP
Building and landscape
materials sales
– -- – MUP P –
Construction and heavy
equipment sales and rental
– – – -- -- – 17.42.130
Convenience store -- -- UP UP UP –
Drive-through retail – -- – -- – – 17.42.070
Extended hour retail UP MUP P P MUP –
Farm supply and feed store – -- – -- MUP –
Farmers market(8) MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP --
Food cart(10) P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P 17.42.250 Food truck(10) P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P 17.42.250 Formula-based fast food
restaurant
-- -- S S S – 17.42.071
Furniture, furnishings and
appliance store
UP MUP MUP MUP MUP –
Garden stand P P P P P P 17.42.130, 17.42.230
General retail – Less than
5,000 sq. ft.
P P P P P P
General retail – 5,000 sq. ft. to
20,000 sq. ft.
P MUP P P P MUP
General retail – More than
20,000 sq. ft.
-- -- MUP MUP MUP –
Groceries, specialty foods – P P P P P – 61 of 202
Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts
P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations HC LP NG CA TOC SW 10,000 sq. ft. or less
Groceries, specialty foods –
More than 10,000 sq. ft.
-- -- P UP P –
Mobilehome, boat, or RV
sales
– – MUP MUP MUP –
Night club UP UP UP – UP –
Outdoor display and sales MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP – 17.42.130 Plant nursery – MUP – MUP MUP –
Restaurant – Outdoor dining
on private property(6)
P/
MUP
P/
MUP
P/
MUP
P/
MUP
P/MUP P 17.42.130
Restaurant – Outdoor dining in
public right-of-way
P P P P P P 17.42.130
Restaurant, cafe, coffee shop P P P P P P
Retail complex -- -- UP UP UP –
Retail display gallery P P P P P P 17.90.020
Retail Tobacco Store -- -- -- -- -- --
Second hand store UP UP UP UP MUP –
Service station (nonfossil fuels
sales)
-- -- -- UP UP – 17.42.180
Sidewalk vending P P P P P P 17.42.260
Tasting room P P P P P P
Warehouse retail – UP UP UP UP –
Services – Business, Financial, Professional
ATM P P P P P P
Bank, financial services P P P P P –
Business support service P P P P P –
Medical services – Doctor
office
UP P P P P –
Medical services – Clinic,
urgent care
UP – P P P –
Office – Accessory P P P P P P
62 of 202
Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts
P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations HC LP NG CA TOC SW Office – Business/service MUP P P P P –
Office – Government UP MUP MUP MUP MUP --
Office – Processing UP(2) MUP MUP MUP MUP –
Office –
Professional/administrative
P P P(2) P P –
Veterinary clinic, animal
hospital
P P P P P MUP
Services – General
Accessory retail or services P P P P P P 17.42.015
Adult day care UP UP UP UP UP --
Catering service – – – MUP MUP –
Child day care center P P P P P UP
Drive-through service – -- – – – – 17.42.070
Equipment rental – – – UP UP – 17.42.140
Kennel, animal boarding – -- – -- -- –
Lodging – Bed and breakfast
inn (B&B)
P P P UP P UP
Lodging – Boutique hotel or
motel
UP UP P P P –
Lodging – Hotel UP UP P P UP –
Maintenance service – Client
site services
– – – MUP MUP –
Mortuary, funeral home -- – – UP UP –
Personal services P P P P P MUP
Personal services – Restricted -- – – – – –
Public safety facility -- UP UP UP UP --
Repair service – Equipment,
large appliances, etc.
– – – P P –
Social service organization -- UP(2) UP(2 UP UP -- 63 of 202 Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts
P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations HC LP NG CA TOC SW Vehicle services – Major
repair/body work
– – – -- -- –
Vehicle services – Minor
maintenance/repair
– – – UP UP –
Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure
Ambulance, taxi, or limousine
storage
– – – – -- –
Broadcasting studio UP(2) UP(2) UP(2) UP MUP –
Electric vehicle charging
station(7)
P P P P P P 14.38
Mobility Hub P P P P P --
Parking facility, public or
commercial
UP UP UP UP UP --
Telecommunications facility S S S S S S 17.44
Transit station or terminal -- UP UP UP UP --
Utility facility UP UP UP UP UP UP
Key to Zoning District Symbols
HC Historic Core CA Commerce Avenue
LP La Plaza TOC Transit Oriented Community
NG Northern Gateway SW Santero Way Specific Plan
Notes:
(1) See Article 9 for land use definitions.
(2) Use allowed only on second or upper floors, in compliance with Section 17.24.050(C), Limitation on the Location of Allowable Land Uses, or behind an allowed ground floor street frontage use.
(3) See Section 17.42.165, Retail use maximum floor area. (4) When the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control allows customers under twenty-one years of age on the premises.
(5) Artisan/craft product manufacturing uses proposed in the CE, TOC, CG, CD, HC, LP, NG, and CA districts must be located within buildings and suites designed and oriented to engage and encourage pedestrian activity and interaction with the surrounding uses. Uses in these districts must also include retail storefront presence and design characteristics, with production and 64 of 202
manufacturing design elements (such as loading doors, material storage, etc.) oriented away from the primary entrances and street frontages of developments where they are located. (6) MUP required for outdoor dining on private property in the HC, LP, NG, CA, and TOC districts when the outdoor dining location is within one hundred feet of a dwelling on a different property that is zoned RR, RVL, NL, NM, or NU.
(7) Permitted as an accessory use.
(8) Fees for farmers market planning permit applications shall be calculated at fifty percent of the fees set forth in the fee schedule as described in Section 17.60.060, Application fees. Use permit approval shall require that the review authority first find that the proposed use will be compatible with any nearby residential uses. Notices of public hearings shall be mailed to property owners within a radius from the subject site of six hundred feet, or greater at the director’s discretion.
(9) MEHKOs allowed only in residential occupancies.
(10) MUP required for food trucks or food carts on private property when the truck or cart location is within one hundred feet of a dwelling on a different property that is zoned RR, RVL, NL, NM, or NU; for multiple food trucks and/or food carts operating simultaneously on a single property; and/or in the HC zoning district.
*Use Allowed only in existing (as of 2025) structures as an interim occupancy until property is redeveloped. Uses are not permitted upon or after redevelopment of SW designed properties.
SECTION 7: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code. Section 17.42.040 Animal keeping is amended as follows:
17.42.040 Animal keeping.
Animal keeping within the city shall comply with requirements of this section, and shall occur only where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses), and this section. The provisions of this section are intended to assist in maintaining the city's semirural character while ensuring that animal keeping does not create adverse impacts on adjacent properties by reason of bright lights, dust, insect infestations, noise, odor, or visual blight.
A. Pre-Existing Uses. Any legally established animal keeping use that became nonconforming upon adoption of this land use code shall be permitted to continue subject to Chapter 17.82 (Nonconforming Uses, Structures, and Parcels).
B. Allowable Animal-Keeping Activities and Permit Requirements.
1. Activities and Permit Requirements. Animal keeping, including related animal husbandry, is allowed only in compliance with the limitations on use and permit requirements in Table 4-1, and the animal keeping standards in subsection C of this section. The keeping of imported animals may require approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S.
Department of Public Health, California Department of Fish and Game, and/or the California Department of Food and Agriculture, in addition to any city approval required by this section. 65 of 202
Table 4-1
Allowable Animal-Keeping and Permit Requirements
Type of Animal
Permit Requirement by Zoning District
OSC OSR RR RVL Other Zones (In Residential Uses Only)
Aviary (keeping of birds other than
fowl or poultry)
P P P P –
Beekeeping (for plant pollination
and/or honey production)
P P P P –
Boarding or breeding kennel – – MUP – –
Chickens P P P P P in NL district; zoning clearance letter required in NM, NU, and residential uses in all other districts
Dogs and cats P – P P P
Fowl and poultry other than roosters
and chickens
P P P P –
Hogs and swine P P P – –
Horses and cows P P P MUP –
Roosters P UP P – –
Other small animals (defined in
Table 4-2)
P P P P P
Other large animals (defined in
Table 4-2)
P P P MUP –
Key to permit requirements:
P Permitted animal keeping, no city approval required for the animal-keeping activity; provided, that it complies with the standards in subsections C through G of this section.
MUP Minor use permit approval required in compliance with Section 17.62.050. – Type of animal or activity not allowed.
2. Minor Use Permit Review. Where Table 4-1 requires a minor use permit for keeping a specified animal type, the purpose of the discretionary review shall include evaluation of how the proposed animals will be housed and/or confined, and whether the location, size, and design of the area on the site for animal keeping will be adequate to allow compliance with the other standards of this section without unreasonable effort on the part of the animal manager. In approving a minor use permit in compliance with this section, the review authority may limit the maximum number of animals allowed on the site as appropriate to the characteristics of the site, the surrounding land uses, and the species of animals proposed.
C. Animal-Keeping Standards. All animal keeping shall comply with the standards in Table 4-2, where allowed by subsection B of this section, Table 4-1, except that more animals may be allowed by minor use permit.
Table 4-2
Animal-Keeping Standards
Type of Animal or
Facility
Maximum Number
of Animals per Site(1)
Minimum Lot
Area(2)
Minimum Setbacks(3)
From
Side/Rear
Property Lines
From Streets
and Dwellings
Aviary for birds other than 20 per acre 1/2 acre 25 ft. 50 ft. 66 of 202
Table 4-2
Animal-Keeping Standards
Type of Animal or
Facility
Maximum Number
of Animals per Site(1)
Minimum Lot
Area(2)
Minimum Setbacks(3)
From
Side/Rear
Property Lines
From Streets
and Dwellings
fowl and poultry
Beekeeping N.A. 1 acre 25 ft. 50 ft.
Boarding or breeding
kennel
Requirements established by minor use permit approval, and subsection F of this section.
Chickens (hens) 20 per site No minimum
lot size
12 ft. 20 ft.
Dogs and cats 5 animals total on a
site less than 1 acre; 5
of each species on a
site of 1 acre or more.
None required None required None required
Fowl and poultry other
than roosters and chickens
12 per acre 1/2 acre 25 ft. 50 ft.
Hogs and swine 1 per acre 2 acres 50 ft. 100 ft.
Horses and cows 2 per acre 1 acre 25 ft. 50 ft.
Roosters 1 per acre 1 acre 25 ft. 50 ft.
Other small animals –
Chinchillas, rabbits,
nonpoisonous reptiles,
rodents, and other
nonpoisonous animals of
similar size.
4 animals total on a
site less than 1 acre; 4
of each species on a
site of 1 acre or more,
where allowed by
Table 4-1.
None for 4 or
fewer animals;
1 acre for 5 or
more animals.
None on a site
of less than 1
acre; 10 ft. on a
site of 1 acre or
more.
None on a site
of less than 1
acre; 25 ft. on a
site of 1 acre or
more.
Other large animals –
Emus, goats, llamas,
miniature horses and
donkeys, ostriches, pot
belly pigs, sheep, and
similar-sized animals.
4 per acre 1/2 acre 25 ft. 50 feet for
accessory
structure, none
for pasture.
Notes:
(1) Offspring allowed in addition to maximum number until market-ready; greater numbers of animals than allowed by Table 4-2 may be authorized by minor use permit. (2) Minimum lot area required for the keeping of animals. (3) Minimum setbacks from all property lines for barns, shelters, pens, coops, cages, and other areas and structures where animals are kept in concentrated confinement; but not including areas continuously maintained as pasture. Minimum setbacks from dwellings refers to dwellings located on other parcels. Animals shall not be kept in any required front yard setback except in pasture areas.
D. Maintenance and Operational Standards. All animal keeping shall comply with the following maintenance and operational standards: 67 of 202
1. Odor and Vector Control. All animal enclosures, including, but not limited to, pens, coops, cages and feed areas, shall be maintained free from litter, garbage and the accumulation of manure, so as to discourage the proliferation of flies, other disease vectors and offensive odors.
Manure shall also not be allowed to accumulate within setback areas. Each site shall be maintained in a neat and sanitary manner.
2. Containment. All animals shall be effectively contained on the site, and shall not be allowed to run free on any parcel in a separate ownership or in a public right-of-way.
3. Waterway Protection. The keeping of horses, cattle, fowl, poultry, chickens, roosters, hogs, swine, or other large animals within fifty feet of any waterway shall require minor use permit approval. In addition to the other materials required for a minor use permit application, the applicant shall submit a plan for the protection of the waterway from the polluting effects of runoff from the animal-keeping area. The plan shall provide for regular manure removal, the maintenance of pasture vegetation to minimize the exposure and potential erosion of bare soil, site grading to direct runoff to detention and settling areas rather than the waterway, and/or other measures approved by the review authority.
4. Erosion and Sedimentation Control. In no case shall an animal-keeping operation be managed or maintained so as to produce sedimentation on any public road, adjoining property, or in any drainage channel or other waterway. In the event sedimentation occurs, the keeping of animals outdoors on the site shall be deemed a nuisance and may be subject to abatement.
5. Noise Control. Animal keeping shall comply with the noise standards established by Section 17.30.050, Noise standards.
E. Animal Husbandry Projects. The keeping or raising of the other small animals listed in Table 4-2 as a 4-H or Future Farmers of America (FFA) project may be allowed with up to twenty-five animals in the RR, RVL, and NL zones subject to minor use permit approval, and compliance with the following requirements, in addition to those in Table 4-2.
1. Application Requirements. The minor use permit application shall include a written agreement of supervision by 4-H or FFA officials, that provides a detailed description of the method to be utilized to control odors and insects.
2. Setback Requirements. Any structures, cages, or shelters required for animal keeping shall not be located within a required front or street side setback, and be set back a minimum of five feet from side or rear property lines.
3. Maintenance. The animal keeping shall comply with all standards in subsection D of this section.
F. Kennels and Animal Boarding. Each kennel and other small animal boarding facility shall comply with the following standards:
1. Minimum Site Area. An animal boarding facility may be approved only on a parcel of two acres or larger.
2. Enclosure Within Building. All animal boarding (sleeping and night-time confinement) shall occur within an entirely enclosed building.
3. Noise Control. The building used for animal boarding shall be insulated, or otherwise constructed and maintained so that no noise from animals within the building is audible to an average person at the property line of the site.
4. Management. A manager of the facility shall be present on the site at all times.
G. Chickens. In addition to the requirements of this section, the keeping of chickens shall comply 68 of 202
with the following standards:
1. Accessory to Residential Use. The keeping of chickens shall be solely as an accessory use to a residential use, and may not be the primary use on any site within the city.
2. Butchering Prohibited. Butchering, slaughtering, or otherwise killing chickens shall be prohibited.
3. Nuisance Prohibited. Confirmed noise impacts, odor impacts, and valid vector complaints shall cause the chickens to be deemed a nuisance, and result in this use becoming prohibited at the subject site.
4. Private Common Areas. Where chickens are proposed to be located in a private common area, the private governing organization (e.g., the homeowner's association) shall provide written consent to the chicken owners and is ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with this consent.
SECTION 8: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code. Section 17.42.080 Home occupations is amended as follows:
17.42.080 Home occupations
The following standards for home occupations are intended to provide reasonable opportunities for employment within the home, while avoiding changes to the residential character of a dwelling that accommodates a home occupation, or the surrounding neighborhood, where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses) of this title. Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs) are exempt from this Section and are instead subject to the standards of Section 17.42.270 Microenterprise home kitchen operations (MEHKOs).
A. Business License Required. A home occupation shall require a city business license.
B. Limitations on Use. The following are examples of business activities that may be approved as home occupations, and uses that are prohibited as home occupations:
1. Uses Allowed as Home Occupations. The following and other uses determined by the director to be similar may be approved by the director in compliance with this section:
a. Art and craft work (ceramics, painting, photography, sculpture, etc.); b. Office-only uses, including an office for an architect, attorney, consultant, counselor, doctor, insurance agent, planner, tutor, writer, and electronic commerce; c. Personal trainers and licensed massage therapy and physical therapy; d. Tailors, sewing; and
e. Cottage Food Operations operating in compliance with the California Health and Safety Code and possessing a current permit from County of Sonoma Environmental Health; and
f. Market gardens and garden stands.
2. Uses Prohibited as Home Occupations. The following are examples of business activities that are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities, and are, therefore, 69 of 202 prohibited as home occupations:
a. Adult entertainment activities/businesses;
b. Animal hospitals and boarding facilities;
c. Auto and other vehicle sales, repair and service (body or mechanical), painting, storage, or upholstery, or the repair, reconditioning, servicing, or manufacture of any vehicle engine, or of any motor vehicle, including automobiles, boats, motorcycles, or trucks;
d. Commercial cabinet or furniture making, and similar uses; e. Contractor’s and other storage yards;
f. Dismantling, junk, or scrap yards;
g. Fitness/health facilities, except those allowed under subsection (B)(1) of this section; h. Medical clinics and laboratories;
i. On-site sales, except that mail order businesses may be allowed where there is no stock-in-trade on the site;
j. Personal services as defined in Article 9 (Glossary), except those allowed under subsection (B)(1) of this section;
k. Transportation services, including ambulance, taxi, limousine, tow truck, etc.; l. Uses which require explosives or highly combustible or toxic materials; m. Welding and machine shop operations;
n. Wood cutting businesses; or
o. Other use the director determines to be similar to those listed above.
C. Operating Standards. Home occupations shall comply with all of the following operating standards:
1. Accessory Use. The home occupation shall be clearly secondary to the full-time use of the property as a residence.
2. Location of Home Occupation Activities. All home occupation activities shall take place either inside the primary dwelling, occupying no more than twenty-five percent of the gross floor area of the dwelling, or in a permitted enclosed accessory structure. The exception is market garden and garden stand activities in compliance with Sections 17.42.130, 17.42.230, and 17.42.240 of this Chapter, which may be conducted outdoors.
3. Visibility. The use shall not require any exterior modification to the structure not customarily found in a dwelling, nor shall the home occupation activity be visible from a public right-of-way, or from neighboring residential properties.
4. Signs. No signs shall be permitted, with the exception of a name plate not exceeding one square foot in area and attached flush to a wall of the structure. 70 of 202
5. Safety. Activities conducted and equipment or material used shall not change the fire safety or occupancy classifications of the premises. The use shall not employ the storage of explosive, flammable, or hazardous materials beyond those normally associated with a residential use.
6. Off-Site Effects. No home occupation activity shall create dust, electrical interference, fumes, gas, glare, light, noise, odor, smoke, toxic/hazardous materials, vibration, or other hazards or nuisances as determined by the director.
7. Outdoor Display or Storage. There shall be no window display or outdoor storage or display of equipment, materials, or supplies associated with the home occupation.
8. Employees. A home occupation shall have no on-site employees other than full-time residents of the dwelling.
9. Client/Customer Visits. The home occupation shall be operated so as to not require more than twelve vehicle trips per day of clients, customers, and/or visitors to the residence. Onsite presence of clients or customers shall be limited to one client or family at a time, and only between the hours of nine a.m. and eight p.m.
10. Deliveries. The home occupation shall not involve the use of commercial vehicles for delivery of materials to or from the premises in a manner different from normal residential usage, except for FedEx, UPS, or USPS-type home pick-ups and deliveries.
11. Motor Vehicles. The motor vehicles used or kept on the premises, except residents’ passenger vehicles, shall comply with the requirements of Section 17.36.130 (Commercial vehicles on private property) of this title.
12. Utility Service Modifications. No utility service to the dwelling shall be modified solely to accommodate a home occupation, other than as required for normal residential use.
SECTION 9: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code. Section 17.42.250 Food trucks and food carts is added as follows:
17.42.250 Food Trucks and Food Carts
A. Applicability. The provisions of this section apply to food trucks and food carts operating 1) on private property, where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses) of this title, 2) in City-approved parklets on public parking, and 3) as allowed by a City special event, block party, or limited term permit. This section also applies to food trucks operating on an intermittent, short-term basis in the Commercial Industrial (CI) Zoning district. The intent of these provisions is to allow food truck and cart operation to promote economic development and culinary choice while managing potential impacts on the community. For the purposes of this Code, food trucks and food carts operated in compliance with this section are distinct from sidewalk vendors, which are subject to the standards of Section 17.42.260.
B. General requirements
1. Each food truck and food cart shall have and display at all times a current City of Cotati Business License and permit from Sonoma County Environmental Health. When a food 71 of 202 truck or cart is operating under a special event or other City permit, the business license obtained by the permittee shall be sufficient.
2. Food trucks, carts, and their operators and employees shall comply with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
3. Food trucks and carts shall comply with all applicable ADA/accessibility standards.
C. Operating Standards.
1. Food truck and cart operators and employees shall have access to a restroom with handwashing facilities with running water, soap, and paper towels within two hundred feet of the truck or cart location.
2. A clean and trash-free twenty-foot radius shall be maintained around the truck or cart location.
3. Trash, recycling, and compost containers shall be provided for customer use adjacent to food pick-up window and/or outdoor dining area. Such containers may be provided by the event organizer, if the food truck or cart is operating under a special event or other City permit.
4. Any spilled refuse, food, grease, or other fluid or item related to the food truck or cart shall be immediately cleaned up to prevent it from entering the public right-of-way or storm drains.
5. Disposal of any wastewater, rinse residue, or other fluid into or adjacent to gutters, streets, or storm drains, or on any public property is prohibited.
6. Operators shall not dispose of trash, debris, recyclables, or compost generated by food truck or cart operation into public refuse receptacles.
7. Food trucks and carts shall comply with CMC Chapter 8.20, including refraining from the use of disposable food service ware that contains polystyrene foam or PFAS.
8. A working fire extinguisher of the appropriate type and rating shall be maintained in or on the food truck or cart at all times.
9. Sales to any person in a motor vehicle located or travelling on a public roadway are prohibited.
10. Food trucks and carts shall not create a nuisance to adjacent properties from odors, smoke, dust, or other emanation.
11. Compliance with all applicable performance standards of Section 17.30.070 this title is required.
D. Design standards.
1. Food trucks and carts shall be maintained in good working order and entirely selfcontained. No food storage, preparation, or cooking shall take place outside the food truck or food cart area. No external power, piping, or plumbing is permitted, except as permitted by Section 17.42.250(E)(3)(d).
2. Generators shall be located inside or securely attached to the truck or cart. Fuel for generators must be stored inside the truck or cart.
3. Signage must comply with the following standards:
a. Signage shall be affixed to the truck or cart and shall not extend beyond the truck or cart itself.
b. Signage shall relate only to the food truck or cart and shall not advertise any other business or any items that are not immediately available for sale at the food truck or cart.
c. Flashing, blinking, and animated signs are prohibited, with the exception of food trucks and carts operating under a special event or other City permit. 72 of 202
E. Additional standards for food trucks and food carts operating on commercially-zoned private property, where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses) of this title, with the exception of those operating with a City special event, block party, or limited term permit.
1. Location requirements
a. Multiple food trucks and/or carts may be allowed to operate simultaneously on a single property with a Minor Use Permit. Otherwise, only one food truck or cart may operate on a property at a time.
b. All food truck and cart operation shall take place on private property only and shall not encroach onto the sidewalk, street, or other public right-of-way.
Customers are allowed to be on a public sidewalk while patronizing a food truck or cart, as long as a minimum of four feet of passing space for pedestrians is maintained on the sidewalk and entrances to adjacent buildings remain accessible. c. Food trucks and carts shall be located on compact and dust-free surfaces only. d. Food trucks and carts shall be located as follows:
i. In compliance with zoning district setbacks for the rear and interior side property lines if property abuts a residential use on that side. ii. No closer than the lesser of five feet or the setback distance required by the zoning district from a rear or interior side property line if the property abuts a non-residential use on that side.
iii. No closer than two feet from a front or street side property line. e. The food truck or cart and its operation shall not block circulation, emergency access, or access to other approved uses on the property. f. At least two private or public parking spaces shall be available for food truck or cart customers, located adjacent to the truck or cart location. The private parking spaces may be shared with other uses on the property.
g. Location of food trucks, carts, dining areas, and associated equipment shall ensure that the minimum required on-site parking spaces for other approved uses on the property is maintained
h. If the food truck or cart is towed by a vehicle, that vehicle shall be parked legally and shall be subject to the same location standards as the food truck or cart.
2. Operating Standards
a. Food trucks and carts may operate between 7:00am and the later of 1) 11:00pm, or 2) the closing time of any other permitted business on the same property, including set up and break down time(s).
b. No equipment or belongings except solid waste receptacles, an outdoor dining area that complies with 17.42.250(E)(3)(b), and an A-board sign complying with
17.42.250(E)(3)(c), shall be allowed outside the food truck or cart. c. The food truck or cart shall be removed from the property daily at the end of each operating period. The exception is a food truck that uses a permitted restaurant on the same property as its commissary, with Sonoma County Environmental Health approval.
d. All equipment associated with food truck or cart operation, including outdoor dining furniture, coverings, and solid waste receptacles, shall be removed from the property daily at the end of each operating period or stored in a permitted enclosed structure. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis with Minor Use Permit approval. 73 of 202
e. Amplified music is prohibited in association with food truck or cart operation, unless authorized by a special event or other city permit.
3. Design standards
a. Food carts, including all associated equipment including canopies or other coverings, shall not exceed a total of one hundred square feet in area, not including the dining area if provided.
b. Food trucks and carts may provide a temporary dining area for customers, including seating, tables, and covering, as follows:
i. The dining area shall meet the same location standards as food trucks and carts.
ii. A maximum of one hundred square feet in area is allowed, including area(s) under coverings if any. Exceptions may be made on a case-bycase basis with Minor Use Permit approval. iii. No advertising of any business is allowed on outdoor dining furniture or covering.
c. In addition to the signage allowed in Section 17.42.250(D)(3), each food truck or cart may have one A-board sign, to be put away daily at the end of operation, located only on private property and completely out of the public right-of-way, and conforming to standards in Section 17.38.070(A) of this title. d. Food trucks and carts may utilize a single power extension cord that is:
i. Rated for outdoor use.
ii. Appropriately placed and covered to avoid trip hazards. iii. Connected to a permanent power source on the same property as the food cart.
iv. Removed daily at the end of operation.
F. Additional standards for food trucks operating on an intermittent, short-term basis on private property and in the public right-of-way in the Commercial Industrial (CI) zoning district, where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses) of this title:
1. General standards:
a. Operation shall take place only between 7:00am and 6:00pm. b. No outdoor dining or equipment except solid waste receptacles shall be permitted. c. No signage shall be permitted that is not affixed to the truck.
2. Standards for food trucks operating on private property:
a. Property owner permission is required.
b. Food trucks may operate for a maximum of two hours daily on any individual property. c. The food truck and its operation shall not block circulation, emergency access, pedestrian access, or access to other approved uses on the property.
3. Standards for food trucks operating in the public right-of-way:
a. Food trucks shall park only in approved parking spaces. Parking and operation on streets or roads with no designated parking is prohibited.
b. Food trucks shall not operate on streets with a traffic speed limit of 35mph or above. c. Food trucks shall be stationed so that customer access, sales, and service takes place from the non-roadway and/or sidewalk side of truck. Operation and sales activity shall not cause customers or other pedestrians to enter roadway.
d. Once parked for operation, a food truck shall move within two hours to another location that is at least five hundred feet away.
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e. Food trucks shall not operate in or cause customers to encroach into landscaped areas. f. Food trucks shall not operate on or cause customers to encroach onto private property without the property owner’s permission.
g. Operation shall not block sidewalks, crosswalks, or driveways, impede accessibility, or block emergency access on streets or roads or to private properties. h. Parking for food truck operation shall be a minimum of thirty-five feet from any intersection with another public street and shall maintain the vision triangle at all times, as illustrated in Figure 3-7, Article 3 of this title.
SECTION 10: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code. Section 17.42.260 Sidewalk vending is added as follows:
17.42.260 Sidewalk vending
A. Applicability. The provisions of this section apply to sidewalk vending and sidewalk vendors on public sidewalks and public pedestrian paths where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses) of this title. The intent of these provisions is to minimize potential negative impacts of sidewalk vending on the community. For the purposes of this Code, sidewalk vendors operating in compliance with this section are distinct from vendors operating under the auspices of a City special event, block party, or limited term permit, food carts, and food trucks, which are subject to the standards of Section 17.42.250.
B. General requirements
1. Sidewalk vendors shall vend only from a “cart” as defined in Section 17.90.020 of this title, or from their person.
2. Vendors shall have and display at all times a current City of Cotati Business License.
3. Vendors selling merchandise shall have and display at all times a current Seller’s Permit from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
4. Sidewalk vendors selling food shall have and display at all times a permit from Sonoma County Environmental Health, if applicable.
5. Vendors shall not require permission or approval from any private property owner or other individual to operate in accordance with this Section.
6. Vendors shall comply with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
C. Location standards
1. Sidewalk vendors shall operate only on public sidewalks and public pedestrian paths.
2. Stationary vendors are prohibited in the RR and RVL zoning districts.
3. Vendors shall not block sidewalks or pedestrian paths and shall maintain a minimum four feet clear passing space for pedestrians at all times.
4. In no event shall a sidewalk vendor prevent any feature of the public right-of-way from being used for its intended purpose or functioning as intended.
5. No vendor may operate in the following locations:
a. On any surface that is landscaped or is not compact and dust-free. b. Within five feet of street trees, bicycle racks and lockers, public art, benches, planters, refuse receptacles, and street furniture.
c. Within fifteen feet of access ramps, bus stops, fire apparatus, storm drains, mailboxes, public restrooms, and building entrances, with the exception of entrances to businesses with which the vendor is affiliated. 75 of 202 d. Within twenty-five feet of outdoor serving and dining areas or parklets with which the vendor is not affiliated.
e. Within thirty-five feet of street intersections, unless cart and all visual obstructions are of thirty-six inches or less in height, as illustrated in Figure 3-7, Article 3 of this title.
f. Within fifty feet of the SMART train station, railroad crossings, or construction or roadwork zones.
g. Within fifty feet of play structures and equipment, sports facilities, picnic tables, drinking fountains, bandstands, stages, bleachers, or other features intended for passive or active recreational use in parks.
h. Within two hundred feet of a concession stand in a park during its operating hours. i. In the case of stationary vendors, in a public park where the City has an exclusive agreement with a concessionaire for that park.
j. Within two hundred feet of another sidewalk vendor, the Cotati Farmer’s Market (when operating), any activity taking place with a City special event, limited term, or other permit, freeway on- or off-ramps, schools, and daycare or childcare facilities.
k. In any park outside of the open hours of that park, or if the park has no posted hours, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.
l. In any location that impedes ADA accessibility.
D. Operating Standards
1. Sidewalk vendors may operate only during the following times:
a. Residential zoning districts (RR, RVL, NL, NM, NU): Between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
b. Other zoning districts: Between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
2. Vendors operating for more than one hour shall have access to a restroom with handwash facilities with running water, soap, and sanitary hand drying equipment within two hundred feet of the vending location.
3. Roaming vendors shall maintain continuous motion from one location to another, except when actively conducting sales transactions with customers. A vendor may conduct multiple sales in a location, if a queue of customers is waiting. If there is no queue, the vendor must move to a new location at least two hundred feet away before stopping again.
4. Vendors shall provide refuse containers attached to cart for customers’ use.
5. Vendors shall maintain a clean and trash-free twenty-foot radius around their vending location.
6. Vendors shall immediately clean up any refuse, food, grease, or other fluid or item related to their vending activities that falls onto the sidewalk or other public right of way.
7. Sidewalk vendors cooking food shall at all times maintain a working fire extinguisher of the appropriate type and rating attached to or inside the cart.
8. Vendors shall comply with CMC Chapter 8.20, including refraining from the use of disposable food service ware that contains polystyrene foam or PFAS.
9. Sidewalk vendors shall not engage in any of the following activities:
a. Vending of alcoholic beverages, cannabis products, tobacco products, or other legally-controlled substances.
b. Provision of outdoor dining, seating, tables, or cover for customers. c. Using, playing, or employing any sound, amplifier, loudspeaker, radio or any other instrument or device to produce sound in connection with the promotion of a vending operation.
d. Creating a nuisance to adjacent properties from odors, smoke, dust, or other emanation.
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e. Leaving vending cart unattended.
f. Making sales to any person in a motor vehicle parked or travelling on a public roadway.
g. Renting merchandise, offering or advertising services, or advertising or selling merchandise that is not immediately available from vendor. h. Disposing of any wastewater, rinse residue, cooking oil, or other fluid into gutters, streets, or storm drains, or on any public property.
i. Disposing of trash, debris, or recyclables generated by a sidewalk vending operation into public refuse receptacles.
j. Continuing to offer food or merchandise for sale, following, or accompanying any potential customer who has been offered food or merchandise after such person has declined the offer
k. Knowingly making false statements or misrepresentations during the course of offering food or merchandise for sale.
l. Blocking or impeding the path of any person(s) utilizing the public right of way. m. Making any statement, gesture, or other communication which a reasonable person would perceive to be a threat.
n. Touching the person(s) being offered food or merchandise without that person(s)’ consent.
o. Placing cart, equipment, merchandise, or personal belongings on private property or any other non-permitted space when engaging in sidewalk vending activities.
E. Design standards
1. A sidewalk vendor’s total operating area may not exceed twenty-five square feet of sidewalk, including the area of the cart and that occupied by vendor and vendor’s personal chair.
2. The dimensions of the cart shall not exceed thirty-six inches in width, eighty-four inches in length, and forty-eight inches in height excluding umbrella, canopies, or transparent enclosures. The minimum height of any food preparation or food display area of the cart shall be thirty inches above grade.
3. Umbrellas, canopies, and other coverings shall:
a. Have a minimum vertical clearance of eighty-four inches and a maximum height of one hundred fourteen inches above grade.
b. Not exceed thirty-six square feet in area.
c. Be affixed to and located over the cart.
4. All equipment, merchandise, and personal belongings of the vendor shall be off the ground and attached to or located inside the cart or attached to the vendor’s person, with the exception of one chair for the vendor’s personal use.
5. Propane tanks shall be attached to or contained within the cart and the cart must allow for adequate ventilation and screening of the tank.
6. Vendors shall not use portable generators, gasoline, kerosene, outdoor wood burning ovens, or charcoal barbecues.
7. Carts shall be entirely self-contained. No external power, piping, or plumbing is permitted.
8. Signage shall be affixed to the cart or to vendor’s person and limited to a total of four square feet in area.
9. Flashing, blinking, and animated signs are prohibited. 77 of 202
10. All signage shall be related only to the sidewalk vendor. Advertisement of other businesses is prohibited.
F. Enforcement and Fines
1. A violation of any provision of this Section is punishable only by an administrative citation pursuant to Section 1.28 of this title, in amounts not to exceed the following:
a. An administrative fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for a first violation. b. An administrative fine not exceeding two hundred dollars for a second violation within one year of the first violation.
c. An administrative fine not exceeding five hundred dollars for each additional violation within one year of the first violation.
2. No other fines, fees, assessments, or financial conditions shall be imposed by the City for violation of this Section.
3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, neither a violation of Section
17.42.260 nor a failure to pay an administrative fine imposed by Section
17.42.260(F)(1) shall be punishable as an infraction or misdemeanor.
4. Any person who receives an administrative fine under Section 17.42.260(F)(1) shall have the right to request an ability-to-pay determination. a. The City shall give any such person written notice of his or her right to request an ability-to-pay determination as well as instructions and other materials for requesting an ability-to-pay determination at the time that the administrative fine citation is issued.
b. A right-to-pay determination may be requested at any time following the issuance of the administrative fine citation until the fine is paid, including when payment of the fine is delinquent or has been referred to a collection program. c. Upon receipt of a request for an ability-to-pay determination, the city manager or his or her designee shall determine whether such person meets the criteria described in subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 68632 of the Government Code.
The determination of the city manager or his or her designee shall be final.
5. If the person meets the criteria described in subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 68632 of the Government Code, the city shall reduce the fine to twenty percent of the amount of the fine originally imposed.
6. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to limit the city's ability to enforce laws of general applicability against sidewalk vendors, or to take any other enforcement actions against sidewalk vendors that are allowed by state or federal law or this code.
SECTION 11: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code. Section 17.42.270 Microenterprise home kitchen operations (MEHKOs) is added as follows:
Section 17.42.270 Microenterprise home kitchen operations (MEHKOs) A. Applicability. The provisions of this section apply to Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs), where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses) of this title. The intent of these provisions is to manage potential impacts of MEHKOs on the community.
B. General requirements
1. MEHKOs shall be subject to the applicable standards of the County of Sonoma Code and California Government Code.
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2. Each MEHKO shall have a current City of Cotati Business License and health permit from Sonoma County Environmental Health.
3. MEHKOs shall comply with all applicable performance standards of Section 17.30.070 this title.
4. MEHKOs are exempt from Section 17.42.080 Home occupations of this title.
SECTION 12: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code. Section 17.90.020 Definitions of specialized terms and phrases is amended to add the following:
“Cart,” for the purposes of Section 17.42.260 of this title, means the pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, table, or other nonmotorized conveyance or apparatus, propelled solely by a human being, used by a sidewalk vendor to convey, display, store, prepare, and/or vend food and/or merchandise, including any surrounding area used in the sidewalk vending operation up to a maximum area of twenty-five square feet. “Food cart,” for the purposes of Section 17.42.250 of this title, means a nonmotorized cart, wagon, trailer, stand, or other mobile or portable assembly designed for outdoor food preparation and service on a temporary basis.
“Food truck” means a motor vehicle (including an electric vehicle) or a trailer, cart, wagon, or other vessel that is towed by a motor vehicle (including an electric vehicle) that is used for the preparation and sale of food.
“Microenterprise home kitchen operation (MEHKO)” has the same meaning as set forth in California Health and Safety Code Section 113825, as updated from time to time. “Parklet” means a food and/or beverage service and/or customer dining installation or facility on public or private parking space(s), operated by an adjacent permitted business with City approval. “Roaming sidewalk vendor” means a sidewalk vendor who moves from place to place and stops only to complete a transaction.
“Sidewalk vending” means the activity of selling food or merchandise from a cart as defined by this Code, or from one’s person, upon a public sidewalk or public pedestrian path. Operating a Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) on a public sidewalk or other pedestrian path is considered sidewalk vending.
“Sidewalk vendor” means a person(s) who engages in sidewalk vending. “Stationary sidewalk vendor” means a sidewalk vendor who vends from a single fixed location during each day of operation.
SECTION 13: Construction and severability.
It is the intent of the City Council of the City of Cotati to supplement applicable state and federal law and not to duplicate or contradict such law, and this ordinance shall be construed79 of 202 consistently with that intent. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance, or its application to any person or circumstance, is for any reason held to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases of this ordinance, or its application to any other person or circumstance. The City Council of the City of Cotati hereby declares that it would have adopted each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases hereof be declared invalid or unenforceable.
SECTION 14: Effective date.
This ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption pursuant to the California Government Code.
SECTION 15: Publication. The city clerk shall cause this ordinance to be published and/or posted as required in Section 36933 of the California Government Code.
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the foregoing ordinance was duly introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cotati held on April 14, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the foregoing ordinance was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cotati held on ___________, by the following vote, to wit:
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Approved: ___________________________
Mayor
Attest:
Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
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City Attorney
This document is a true and correct copy of Ordinance Number ### and has been published or posted pursuant to law. California Government Code § 40806 Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
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Code amendments for draft ordinance redlines updated 3/23/26
9.36.040 Commercial activity
No person shall sell or offer for sale any merchandise, article or thing whatsoever in any park without the prior written consent of the city, with the exception of sidewalk vendors where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses) of this title and consistent with Section
17.42.260 of this title..
17.22.020 Allowable land uses and planning permit requirements.
A. Allowable Land Uses. The land uses allowed by this land use code in each zoning district are listed in Tables 2-2, and 2-3, and 2-4 of this chapter, together with the type of planning permit required for each use. Each land use listed in Tables 2-2, and 2-3, and 2-4 is defined in Article 9 (Glossary).
1. Establishment of an Allowable Use.
a. Any one or more land uses identified by Tables 2-2, and 2-3, or 2-4 as being allowable within a specific zoning district may be established on any parcel within that zoning district, subject to the planning permit requirement listed in the tables, and in compliance with all applicable requirements of this land use code.
b. Where a single parcel is proposed for development with two or more of the land uses listed in the tables at the same time, the overall project shall be subject to the highest permit level required by the tables for any individual use. For example, a new multi-use building proposed with a permitted use on the second floor and a use requiring use permit approval on the ground floor would require use permit approval for the entire project.
2. Use Not Listed.
a. A land use that is not listed in Tables 2-2, and 2-3, or 2-4 is not allowed within the city, except as otherwise provided in subsection (A)(3) of this section, or Section 17.22.030 (Exemptions from planning permit requirements) of this chapter. b. A land use that is not listed in the tables within a particular zoning district is not allowed within that zoning district, except as otherwise provided in subsection (A)(3) of this section, or Section 17.22.030 (Exemptions from planning permit requirements) of this chapter.
3. Similar and Compatible Use May Be Allowed. The director may determine that a proposed use not listed in this chapter is allowable as follows:
a. Required Findings. The director may determine that a proposed use is similar to and compatible with a listed use and may be allowed, only after first making all of the following findings:
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i. The characteristics of, and activities associated with the use are similar to one or more of the listed uses, and will not involve greater impacts than the uses listed in the district; ii. The use will be consistent with the purposes of the applicable zoning district; iii. The use will be consistent with the general plan and any applicable specific plan; iv. The use will be compatible with the other uses allowed in the district; and v. The use is not listed as allowable in another zoning district.
A determination that a use qualifies as a "similar use" and the findings supporting the determination shall be in writing.
b. Applicable Standards and Permit Requirements. When the director determines that a proposed but unlisted use is similar to a listed use, the proposed use will be treated in the same manner as the listed use in determining where it is allowed, what permits are required, and what other standards and requirements of this land use code apply. c. Appeal. A determination of similar and compatible use may be appealed in compliance with Chapter 17.84 (Appeals) of this title.
B. Permit Requirements. Tables 2-2, and 2-3, and 2-4 provide for land uses that are:
1. Permitted subject to compliance with all applicable provisions of this land use code, subject to first obtaining a zoning clearance (Section 17.62.020). These are shown as "P" uses in the tables;
2. Allowed subject to the approval of a minor use permit (Section 17.62.050), and shown as "MUP" uses in the tables;
3. Allowed subject to the approval of a use permit (Section 17.62.050), and shown as "UP" uses in the tables;
4. Allowed subject to the type of city approval required by a specific provision of Chapter 17.42 (Standards for Specific Land Uses) of this title, and shown as "S" uses in the tables; and
5. Not allowed in particular zoning districts, and shown as a " – " in the tables.
C. Additional City Approval Requirements. Any land use identified as allowable by Table 2-2, or 2-3, or 2-4[1] may require design review (Section 17.62.040), a hillside development permit (Section 17.53.070), and/or a building permit in compliance with the municipal code, in addition to the required planning permit.
D. Standards for Specific Land Uses. Where the last column in the tables ("Specific Use Regulations") includes a section number, the regulations in the referenced section apply to the use. Provisions in other sections of this land use code may also apply. 83 of 202
Table 2-2
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Low Density and Neighborhood Zones P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit required
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Permit Required by District
Land Use(1)
OSC OSR RR RVL NL NM NU
Specific
Use
Regulations
Agricultural and Open Space Uses
Agricultural accessory
structure
UP UP P P – – – 17.42.020
Animal keeping S S S S S S S 17.42.040
Crop production, horticulture,
orchard, vineyard(6)
– UP UP UP – – – 17.42.240
Market garden – – P P P P P 17.42.230,
17.42.240
Plant nursery – UP UP – – – –
Winery, small scale – – UP(2) – – – –
Industry, manufacturing and
processing, wholesaling
– – – – – – –
Artisan/craft product
manufacturing
– UP UP(3) – – – –
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P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit required
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Permit Required by District
Land Use(1)
OSC OSR RR RVL NL NM NU
Specific
Use
Regulations
Recreation, Education and Public Assembly Uses
Community garden(6) – UP P P P P P 17.42.220,
17.42.240
Equestrian facility – UP UP – – – –
Meeting facility, public or
private
– UP – – UP UP UP
Park UP P P P P P P
Playground – P P P P P P
Private residential recreation
facility
– – – UP UP UP UP
School – Elementary, middle,
secondary
– – – UP UP UP –
Residential Uses
Accessory dwelling unit – – P P P P P 17.42.170
Caretaker quarters UP UP – – – – –
Cottage housing – – – – S S S 17.42.125
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P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit required
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Permit Required by District
Land Use(1)
OSC OSR RR RVL NL NM NU
Specific
Use
Regulations
Home occupation – – P P P P P 17.42.080
Junior accessory dwelling unit – – P P P – – 17.42.170
Low barrier navigation center – – – – – – –
Microenterprise Home Kitchen
Operation (MEHKO)
– – P P P P P 17.42.270
Mobilehome park – – UP UP UP UP UP 17.42.110
Mobile/manufactured home – – P P P P P 17.42.110
Multifamily plex housing, 2
units
– – – – P P UP(4) 17.39.040
Multifamily plex housing, 3 to
9 units
– – – – P P P 17.39.040
Multifamily housing, 10 or
more units
– – – – – P P 17.39.030
Organizational house (sorority,
monastery, etc.)
– – – – – – UP
Residential accessory use or
structure
– – P P P P P 17.42.160
86 of 202
P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit required
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Permit Required by District
Land Use(1)
OSC OSR RR RVL NL NM NU
Specific
Use
Regulations
Residential care facility for the
elderly (RCFE)
– – UP UP UP UP UP
Residential care, 11 or more
clients
– – UP UP UP UP UP
Residential care, 6 or fewer
clients, in a single-family
dwelling
– – P P P P P
Residential care, 7 to 10 clients – – UP UP UP UP UP
Residential component of a
mixed use project
– – – – P P P 17.39.030,
17.39.040,
17.42.100
Rooming or boarding house – – – – – – UP
Single-family dwelling – – P P P UP(4) UP(4) 17.39.050
Supportive housing – – – – – P P
Retail Trade
Accessory retail and services – – – – UP UP UP
Convenience store, 1,200 sq. ft.
or less
– – – – UP UP UP
87 of 202
P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit required
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Permit Required by District
Land Use(1)
OSC OSR RR RVL NL NM NU
Specific
Use
Regulations
Farmers Market(6) – UP – – – – –
Garden Stand – – P P P P P 17.42.130,
17.42.230
Produce stand(6) – UP UP UP – – – 17.42.130
Sidewalk vending(8) P P P P P P P 17.42.260
Services – Business and Professional
Medical services – Extended
care
– – – – – UP UP
Office – Accessory – P P P P P P
Services – – – – – – –
Adult day care – 6 or fewer
clients
– – P P P P P
Adult day care – 7 to 14 clients – – UP UP UP UP UP
Adult day care – 15 or more
clients
– – UP UP UP UP UP
Child day care – Small family
day care home
– UP P P P P P
88 of 202
P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit required
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Permit Required by District
Land Use(1)
OSC OSR RR RVL NL NM NU
Specific
Use
Regulations
Child day care – Large family
day care home
– – P P P – – 17.42.060
Child day care – Day care
center
– UP – – – UP UP 17.42.060
Kennel, animal boarding – – UP – – – –
Lodging – Bed and breakfast
inn (B&B)
– – UP UP – – – 17.42.050
Personal services – 1,000 sq. ft.
or less
– – – – – UP UP
Public safety facilities – – UP UP UP UP UP
Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure
Electric vehicle charging
station(5)
P P P P P P P 14.38
Solar collector S S S S S S S 17.30.084
Telecommunications facility(7) – S – – – – – 17.44;
17.44.065
Windmills – – UP – – – – 17.42.190
89 of 202
Key to Zoning District Symbols
OSC Open Space –
Conservation
NL Neighborhood – Low
Density
OSR Open Space –
Recreation
NM Neighborhood –
Medium Density
RR Rural Residential NU Neighborhood – Urban
RVL Residential, Very Low
Density
Notes:
(1) See Article 9 of this title for land use definitions. (2) May be approved only in conjunction with an on-site vineyard of three acres or larger. (3) May be approved only on a site of three acres or larger. (4) Use permit approval shall require that the review authority first find that the location of a proposed single-family dwelling or two-unit multifamily plex development (duplex) on a parcel will not preclude future subdivision and/or development in compliance with the general plan and this chapter.
(5) Permitted as an accessory use.
(6) Fees for crop production, horticulture, orchard, vineyard; community garden; farmers market; and produce stand planning permit applications shall be calculated at fifty percent of the fees set forth in the fee schedule as described in Section 17.60.060, Application fees. Use permit approval shall require that the review authority first find that the proposed use will be compatible with any nearby residential uses. Notices of public hearing for these uses shall be mailed to property owners within a radius from the subject site of six hundred feet, or greater at the director’s discretion.
(7) Telecommunications facilities are subject to the limited waiver provision and other regulations described in Chapter 17.44.
(8) Stationary sidewalk vending is not permitted in residential zoning districts. 90 of 202
Table 2-3
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Commercial, Mixed Use, and Industrial Corridors and Districts P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Permit Required by District Specific Use
Regulations Land Use(1)
CE CG CD CI PF
Agricultural and Open Space Uses
Animal keeping S S S S – 17.42.040
Market Garden P P P – – 17.42.230,
17.42.240
Industry, Manufacturing and
Processing, Wholesaling
Agricultural product processing – – – P –
Artisan/craft product
manufacturing(5)
MUP MUP MUP P –
91 of 202
Brewery – Brew pub MUP MUP MUP MUP –
Brewery – Production – – – MUP –
Construction contractor – – – UP –
Food and beverage product
manufacturing
– – – MUP MUP
Furniture and fixtures
manufacturing, cabinet shop
– – – P –
Industrial research and
development
– MUP – P –
Laboratory – Medical, analytical,
research and development
P P – P –
Laundry, dry cleaning plant – – – UP –
Manufacturing/processing – Light – – – P –
Manufacturing/processing –
Medium intensity
– – – MUP –
Manufacturing/processing –
Heavy
– – – UP –
Media production P P – P –
Printing and publishing UP UP – P –
Recycling – Reverse vending
machine
MUP MUP – – –
92 of 202
Recycling – Small collection
facility
UP UP – P – 17.42.150
Recycling – Medium collection
facility
– – – UP – 17.42.150
93 of 202
Storage – Outdoor – – – UP – 17.42.140
Storage – Personal storage facility
(mini-storage)
– – – – –
Storage – Warehouse, indoor
storage
– – – UP –
Wholesaling and distribution – – – UP –
Winery – Boutique – UP – MUP –
Winery – Production – – – MUP –
Recreation, Education and Public Assembly Uses
Adult-oriented business – – – S – 17.40
Commercial recreation facility –
Indoor – 5,000 sq. ft. or less
UP P – P –
Commercial recreation facility –
Indoor – More than 5,000 sq. ft.
UP MUP – UP –
Commercial recreation facility –
Outdoor
– – – UP –
Community garden(8) P P P – UP 17.42.220,
17.42.240
Conference/convention facility –
5,000 sq. ft. or less
UP MUP UP(2) MUP UP
94 of 202
Conference/convention facility –
More than 5,000 sq. ft.
UP UP UP(2) UP UP
Health/fitness facility UP P UP(2) P –
Library, museum P P MUP P P
95 of 202
Meeting facility, public or private
– 5,000 sq. ft. or less
UP MUP MUP(2) MUP MUP
Meeting facility, public or private
– More than 5,000 sq. ft.
UP UP UP(2) UP UP
Park P P P – P
School – Elementary, middle,
secondary
UP(2) UP(2) – – UP
School – Specialized
education/training
UP(2) UP(2) UP(2) UP UP
Sports and entertainment
assembly
– – – UP UP
Studio – Art, dance, martial arts,
music, etc.
P P MUP(2) P –
Theater UP MUP MUP MUP UP
Residential Uses
Accessory dwelling unit P P P – – 17.42.170
Emergency/transitional shelter – – S – S 17.42.072
Home occupation P P P – – 17.42.080
Live/work unit UP UP P UP – 17.42.090
Low barrier navigation center P P – – –
96 of 202
Microenterprise Home Kitchen
Operation (MEHKO)(9)
P P P P – 17.42.270
Residential care facility for the
elderly (RCFE)
UP MUP – – UP
97 of 202
Residential care facility, 7 or more
clients
UP – – – UP
Residential component of a mixed
use project
P P P – – 17.39.030,
17.39.040,
17.42.100
Supportive housing P P – – –
Retail Trade(3)
Accessory retail or services P P P P P
Alcoholic beverage sales –
Associated with a restaurant(4)
P P P P – 17.42.030
Alcoholic beverage sales UP UP UP – – 17.42.030
Antique or collectible store MUP P MUP – –
Artisan shop P P P P –
Auto and vehicle sales and rental – UP – MUP –
Auto parts sales with no
installation services
– P – P –
Bar, tavern UP UP UP – –
Building and landscape materials
sales – Indoor
– P – P –
Building and landscape materials
sales – Outdoor
– UP – MUP – 17.42.130
98 of 202
Construction and heavy
equipment sales and rental
– – – MUP – 17.42.130
Convenience store UP UP – UP –
Drive-through retail – UP – UP – 17.42.070
99 of 202
Extended hour retail UP MUP MUP MUP –
Farm supply and feed store – P – P –
Farmers market(8) MUP MUP MUP MUP UP
Food cart(10) P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP 17.42.250
Food truck(10) P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP 17.42.250
Formula-based fast food
restaurant
S S S – – 17.42.071
Fuel dealer (propane for home and
farm use, etc.)
– – – UP –
Furniture, furnishings and
appliance store
P P UP P –
Garden stand P P P – – 17.42.130,
17.42.230
General retail – Less than 5,000
sq. ft.
P P P P –
General retail – 5,000 sq. ft. to
20,000 sq. ft.
P P P P –
General retail – More than 20,000
sq. ft.
UP P UP P –
Groceries, specialty foods –
10,000 sq. ft. or less
P P P P –
100 of 202
Groceries, specialty foods – More
than 10,000 sq. ft.
UP MUP UP MUP –
Mobilehome, boat, or RV sales – – – MUP –
Night club UP UP UP – –
101 of 202
Outdoor display and sales MUP MUP MUP MUP – 17.42.130
Plant nursery – MUP – MUP –
Restaurant – Outdoor dining on
private property(6)
P/
MUP
P/
MUP
P/
MUP
P/
MUP
– 17.42.130(E)
Restaurant – Outdoor dining in
public right-of-way
P P P P _ 17.42.130
Restaurant, cafe, coffee shop P P P P –
Retail complex UP P UP P –
Retail display gallery – P P – – 17.90.020
Second hand store UP UP UP – –
Service station (nonfossil fuels
sales)
UP UP UP – – 17.42.180
Sidewalk vending P P P P P 17.42.260
Tasting room UP P P P –
Warehouse retail – MUP – UP –
Services – Business, Financial, Professional
ATM P P P P –
Bank, financial services P P UP P –
Business support service P P P
(2) UP –
102 of 202
Medical services – Doctor office UP P
(2) P(2) – –
Medical services – Clinic, urgent
care
UP – – – –
Office – Accessory P P P P P
103 of 202
Office – Business/service UP UP(2) P
(2) P –
Office – Government MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP
Office – Processing UP(2) MUP UP(2) MUP –
Office –
Professional/administrative
P P P
(2) P –
Services – General
Accessory retail or services P P P P P 17.42.015
Adult day care UP – – – UP
Catering service – – – P –
Child day care center MUP P MUP MUP UP
Drive-through service – UP – – – 17.42.070
Equipment rental – – – MUP – 17.42.140
Kennel, animal boarding – MUP – MUP –
Lodging – Bed and breakfast inn
(B&B)
P P MUP – –
Lodging – Boutique hotel or
motel
UP UP UP – –
Lodging – Hotel or motel UP UP UP – –
104 of 202
Maintenance service – Client site
services
– – – P –
Mortuary, funeral home UP – – – –
Personal services P P P P –
Personal services – Restricted UP(2) – – – –
105 of 202
Public safety facility UP UP UP UP P
Repair service – Equipment, large
appliances, etc.
– – – P –
Social service organization MUP(2) MUP(2) – MUP UP
Vehicle services – Major
repair/body work
– – – MUP –
Vehicle services – Minor
maintenance/repair
– – – MUP –
Veterinary clinic, animal hospital MUP P – P –
Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure
Ambulance, taxi, or limousine
storage
– – – UP –
Broadcasting studio – UP(2) UP(2) MUP –
Electric vehicle charging station(7) P P P P P 14.38
Parking facility, public or
commercial
UP UP UP – P
Telecommunications facility S S S S S 17.44
Transit station or terminal UP UP UP UP UP
Utility facility – – – UP UP
Vehicle storage – – – UP –
106 of 202
Key to Zoning District Symbols
CE East Cotati Avenue
Corridor
CI Commercial/Industrial
District
107 of 202
CG Gravenstein Highway
Corridor
CD Downtown
Commercial
PF Public Facility District
Notes:
(1) See Article 9 for land use definitions.
(2) Use allowed only on second or upper floors, in compliance with Section 17.24.050(C), Limitation on the Location of Allowable Land Uses, or behind an allowed ground floor street frontage use. (3) See Section 17.42.165, Retail use maximum floor area. (4) When the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control allows customers under twenty-one years of age on the premises.
(5) Artisan/craft product manufacturing uses proposed in the CE, CG, CD, HC, LP, NG, and CA districts must be located within buildings and suites designed and oriented to engage and encourage pedestrian activity and interaction with the surrounding uses. Uses in these districts must also include retail storefront presence and design characteristics, with production and manufacturing design elements (such as loading doors, material storage, etc.) oriented away from the primary entrances and street frontages of developments where they are located.
(6) MUP required for outdoor dining on private property in the CD district when the dining use location abuts is within one hundred feet of a dwelling residential land useon a different property that is zoned RR, RVL, NL, NM, or NU..
(7) Permitted as an accessory use.
(8) Fees for community garden and farmers market planning permit applications shall be calculated at fifty percent of the fees set forth in the fee schedule as described in Section 17.60.060, Application fees.
Use permit approval shall require that the review authority first find that the proposed use will be 108 of 202
compatible with any nearby residential uses. Notices of public hearings shall be mailed to property owners within a radius from the subject site of six hundred feet, or greater at the director’s discretion. (9) Allowed in residential occupancies only.
(10) MUP required for a food truck or food cart on private property in the CD district when the food truck or cart location is within one hundred feet of a dwelling on a different property that is zoned RR, RVL, NL, NM, or NU, or for multiple food trucks and/or carts operating simultaneously on a single property. 109 of 202
Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations
HC LP NG CA TOC SW
Agricultural and Open Space Uses
Animal keeping S S S S S S 17.42.040
Market garden P P P P P P 17.42.230, 17.42.240
Industry, Manufacturing
and Processing, Wholesaling
Agricultural product
processing
– – – – -- –
Artisan/craft product
manufacturing(5)
MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP See Note 5 Below
Brewery – Brew pub MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP --
Brewery – Production – – – -- -- –
Construction contractor – – – – -- UP*
Food and beverage product
manufacturing
– – – – -- MUP*
Furniture and fixtures
manufacturing, cabinet shop
– – – -- MUP MUP*
Industrial research and
development
– -- – MUP MUP MUP*
110 of 202
Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations
HC LP NG CA TOC SW
Laboratory – Medical,
analytical, research and
development
-- -- – MUP MUP MUP*
Laundry, dry cleaning plant – – – – -- –
Manufacturing/processing –
Light
– – – -- MUP MUP*
Manufacturing/processing –
Medium intensity
– – – -- -- –
Manufacturing/processing –
Heavy
– – – – -- –
Media production -- -- – P P MUP*
Printing and publishing -- -- – MUP MUP MUP*
Recycling – Reverse vending
machine
-- -- – – – –
Recycling – Small collection
facility
-- -- – -- -- – 17.42.150
Recycling – Medium
collection facility
– – – -- -- – 17.42.150
Storage – Outdoor – – -- -- UP UP* 17.42.140
111 of 202
Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations
HC LP NG CA TOC SW
Storage – Personal storage
facility (mini-storage)
– – – – – –
Storage – Warehouse, indoor
storage
– – – -- – –
Wholesaling and distribution – – – UP UP –
Winery – Boutique – -- UP UP UP –
Winery – Production – – – -- -- –
Recreation, Education and Public Assembly Uses
Adult-oriented business – – – – -- – 17.40
Commercial recreation facility
– Indoor
UP UP UP UP UP UP
Commercial recreation facility
– Outdoor
– – – -- – –
Community garden P P P P P P 17.42.220, 17.42.240
Conference/convention facility -- -- UP) UP UP --
Health/fitness facility UP P P
) P P MUP
Library, museum P -- P P P --
112 of 202
Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations
HC LP NG CA TOC SW
Meeting facility, public or
private
-- UP UP) UP UP --
Park, Playground P P P P P P
School – Specialized
education/training
UP ) UP) UP UP UP
Sports and entertainment
assembly
– – UP UP – --
Studio – Art, dance, martial
arts, music, etc.
P P P
) P P P
Theater UP -- MUP MUP MUP UP*
Residential Uses
Accessory dwelling unit P P P P P P 17.42.170
Emergency/transitional shelter S S S S S -- 17.42.072
Home occupation P P P P P P 17.42.080
Live/work unit UP UP P UP UP UP 17.42.090
Low barrier navigation center P P P P P –
113 of 202
Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations
HC LP NG CA TOC SW
Microenterprise home kitchen
operation (MEHKO) (9)
P P P P P P 17.42.270
Mobile Home Park UP UP UP UP UP UP 17.42.11
Multifamily Plex housing -- -- -- -- UP MUP 17.39.03 & 17.39.04 Multifamily housing 10+ units S S S S UP P 17.28.050 & 17.39.030 Residential care facility for the
elderly (RCFE)
-- UP UP UP UP UP
Residential care facility, 7 or
more clients
-- UP – – UP UP
Residential component of a
mixed use project
P P P P P P 17.39.030, 17.39.040, 17.42.100
Supportive housing P P P P P P
Retail Trade(3)
Accessory retail or services P P P P P P
Alcoholic beverage sales –
Associated with a restaurant(4)
P P P P P P 17.42.030
Alcoholic beverage sales-off
sale
UP UP UP UP UP – 17.42.030
114 of 202
Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations
HC LP NG CA TOC SW
Antique or collectible store P P P P P –
Artisan/craft project
manufacturing
MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP
Artisan shop P P P P P MUP
Auto and vehicle sales and
rental
– UP – MUP UP –
Auto parts sales with no
installation services
– -- P P P –
Bar, tavern UP UP UP UP UP –
Brewery-Brew pub MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP
Building and landscape
materials sales
– -- – MUP P –
Construction and heavy
equipment sales and rental
– – – -- -- – 17.42.130
Convenience store -- -- UP UP UP –
Drive-through retail – -- – -- – – 17.42.070
Extended hour retail UP MUP P P MUP –
115 of 202
Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations
HC LP NG CA TOC SW
Farm supply and feed store – -- – -- MUP –
Farmers market(8) MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP --
Food cart(10) P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P 17.42.250 Food truck(10) P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P 17.42.250 Formula-based fast food
restaurant
-- -- S S S – 17.42.071
Furniture, furnishings and
appliance store
UP MUP MUP MUP MUP –
Garden stand P P P P P P 17.42.130, 17.42.230
General retail – Less than
5,000 sq. ft.
P P P P P P
General retail – 5,000 sq. ft. to
20,000 sq. ft.
P MUP P P P MUP
General retail – More than
20,000 sq. ft.
-- -- MUP MUP MUP –
Groceries, specialty foods –
10,000 sq. ft. or less
P P P P P –
116 of 202
Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations
HC LP NG CA TOC SW
Groceries, specialty foods –
More than 10,000 sq. ft.
-- -- P UP P –
Mobilehome, boat, or RV
sales
– – MUP MUP MUP –
Night club UP UP UP – UP –
Outdoor display and sales MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP – 17.42.130 Plant nursery – MUP – MUP MUP –
Restaurant – Outdoor dining
on private property(6)
P/
MUP
P/
MUP
P/
MUP
P/
MUP
P/MUP P 17.42.130(E)
Restaurant – Outdoor dining in
public right-of-way
P P P P P P 17.42.130
Restaurant, cafe, coffee shop P P P P P P
Retail complex -- -- UP UP UP –
Retail display gallery P P P P P P 17.90.020
Retail Tobacco Store -- -- -- -- -- --
Second hand store UP UP UP UP MUP –
117 of 202
Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations
HC LP NG CA TOC SW
Service station (nonfossil fuels
sales)
-- -- -- UP UP – 17.42.180
Sidewalk vending P P P P P P 17.42.260
Tasting room P P P P P P
Warehouse retail – UP UP UP UP –
Services – Business, Financial, Professional
ATM P P P P P P
Bank, financial services P P P P P –
Business support service P P P P P –
Medical services – Doctor
office
UP P P P P –
Medical services – Clinic,
urgent care
UP – P P P –
Office – Accessory P P P P P P
Office – Business/service MUP P P P P –
Office – Government UP MUP MUP MUP MUP --
118 of 202
Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations
HC LP NG CA TOC SW
Office – Processing UP(2) MUP MUP MUP MUP –
Office –
Professional/administrative
P P P
(2) P P –
Veterinary clinic, animal
hospital
P P P P P MUP
Services – General
Accessory retail or services P P P P P P 17.42.015
Adult day care UP UP UP UP UP --
Catering service – – – MUP MUP –
Child day care center P P P P P UP
Drive-through service – -- – – – – 17.42.070
Equipment rental – – – UP UP – 17.42.140
Kennel, animal boarding – -- – -- -- –
Lodging – Bed and breakfast
inn (B&B)
P P P UP P UP
Lodging – Boutique hotel or
motel
UP UP P P P –
119 of 202
Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations
HC LP NG CA TOC SW
Lodging – Hotel UP UP P P UP –
Maintenance service – Client
site services
– – – MUP MUP –
Mortuary, funeral home -- – – UP UP –
Personal services P P P P P MUP
Personal services – Restricted -- – – – – –
Public safety facility -- UP UP UP UP --
Repair service – Equipment,
large appliances, etc.
– – – P P –
Social service organization -- UP(2) UP(2 UP UP --
Vehicle services – Major
repair/body work
– – – -- -- –
Vehicle services – Minor
maintenance/repair
– – – UP UP –
Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure
Ambulance, taxi, or limousine
storage
– – – – -- –
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Table 2-4
Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Transit Corridors and Specific Plan Districts P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Land Use(1) Permit Required by District Specific Use Regulations
HC LP NG CA TOC SW
Broadcasting studio UP(2) UP(2) UP(2) UP MUP –
Electric vehicle charging
station(7)
P P P P P P 14.38
Mobility Hub P P P P P --
Parking facility, public or
commercial
UP UP UP UP UP --
Telecommunications facility S S S S S S 17.44
Transit station or terminal -- UP UP UP UP --
Utility facility UP UP UP UP UP UP
Key to Zoning District Symbols
HCCE Historic CoreEast Cotati Avenue Corridor CACI Commerce AvenueCommercial/Industrial District LPCG La PlazaGravenstein Highway Corridor TOCI
G
Transit Oriented CommunityGeneral Industrial
District
NGCD Northern Gateway Downtown Commercial SWPF Santero Way Specific PlanPublic Facility District Notes:
(1) See Article 9 for land use definitions.
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(2) Use allowed only on second or upper floors, in compliance with Section 17.24.050(C), Limitation on the Location of Allowable Land Uses, or behind an allowed ground floor street frontage use. (3) See Section 17.42.165, Retail use maximum floor area. (4) When the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control allows customers under twenty-one years of age on the premises.
(5) Artisan/craft product manufacturing uses proposed in the CE, TOC, CG, CD, HC, LP, NG, and CA districts must be located within buildings and suites designed and oriented to engage and encourage pedestrian activity and interaction with the surrounding uses. Uses in these districts must also include retail storefront presence and design characteristics, with production and manufacturing design elements (such as loading doors, material storage, etc.) oriented away from the primary entrances and street frontages of developments where they are located. (6) MUP required for outdoor dining on private property in the CDHC, LP, NG, CA, and TOC districts when the dining use location abuts is within one hundred feet of a dwelling residential land useon a different property that is zoned RR, RVL, NL, NM, or NU.
(7) Permitted as an accessory use.
(8) Fees for farmers market planning permit applications shall be calculated at fifty percent of the fees set forth in the fee schedule as described in Section 17.60.060, Application fees. Use permit approval shall require that the review authority first find that the proposed use will be compatible with any nearby residential uses. Notices of public hearings shall be mailed to property owners within a radius from the subject site of six hundred feet, or greater at the director’s discretion.
(9) MEHKOs allowed only in residential occupancies.
(10) MUP required for food trucks or food carts on private property when the truck or cart location is within one hundred feet of a dwelling on a different property that is zoned RR, RVL, NL, NM, or NU; for multiple food trucks and/or food carts operating simultaneously on a single property; and/or in the HC zoning district. *Use Allowed only in existing (as of 2025) structures as an interim occupancy until property is redeveloped. Uses are not permitted upon or after redevelopment of SW designed properties.
17.42.040 Animal keeping.
Animal keeping within the city shall comply with requirements of this section, and shall occur only where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses), and this section. The provisions of this section are intended to assist in maintaining the city's semirural character while ensuring that animal keeping does not create adverse impacts on adjacent properties by reason of bright lights, dust, insect infestations, noise, odor, or visual blight. 122 of 202
A. Pre-Existing Uses. Any legally established animal keeping use that became nonconforming upon adoption of this land use code shall be permitted to continue subject to Chapter 17.82 (Nonconforming Uses, Structures, and Parcels).
B. Allowable Animal-Keeping Activities and Permit Requirements.
1. Activities and Permit Requirements. Animal keeping, including related animal husbandry, is allowed only in compliance with the limitations on use and permit requirements in Table 4-1, and the animal keeping standards in subsection C of this section. The keeping of imported animals may require approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Public Health, California Department of Fish and Game, and/or the California Department of Food and Agriculture, in addition to any city approval required by this section.
Table 4-1
Allowable Animal-Keeping and Permit Requirements
Permit Requirement by Zoning District
Type of Animal OSC OSR RR RVL
Other Zones (In Residential Uses Only) Allowing
Residential Use
Aviary (keeping of birds other
than fowl or poultry)
P P P P –
Beekeeping (for plant
pollination and/or honey
production)
P P P P –
Boarding or breeding kennel – – MUP – –
Chickens P P P P P in NL district; zoning clearance letter required in NM, NU, and residential uses in all other commercia
districts
Dogs and cats P – P P P
Fowl and poultry other than
roosters and chickens
P P P P –
Hogs and swine P P P – –
Horses and cows P P P MUP –
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Table 4-1
Allowable Animal-Keeping and Permit Requirements
Permit Requirement by Zoning District
Type of Animal OSC OSR RR RVL
Other Zones (In Residential Uses Only) Allowing
Residential Use
Roosters P UP P – –
Other small animals (defined in
Table 4-2)
P P P P P
Other large animals (defined in
Table 4-2)
P P P MUP –
Key to permit requirements:
P Permitted animal keeping, no city approval required for the animal-keeping activity; provided, that it complies with the standards in subsections C through G of this section.
MUP Minor use permit approval required in compliance with Section 17.62.050. – Type of animal or activity not allowed.
2. Minor Use Permit Review. Where Table 4-1 requires a minor use permit for keeping a specified animal type, the purpose of the discretionary review shall include evaluation of how the proposed animals will be housed and/or confined, and whether the location, size, and design of the area on the site for animal keeping will be adequate to allow compliance with the other standards of this section without unreasonable effort on the part of the animal manager. In approving a minor use permit in compliance with this section, the review authority may limit the maximum number of animals allowed on the site as appropriate to the characteristics of the site, the surrounding land uses, and the species of animals proposed.
C. Animal-Keeping Standards. All animal keeping shall comply with the standards in Table 4-2, where allowed by subsection B of this section, Table 4-1, except that more animals may be allowed by minor use permit.
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Table 4-2
Animal-Keeping Standards
Minimum Setbacks(3)
Type of Animal or
Facility
Maximum
Number of
Animals per Site(1)
Minimum
Lot Area(2)
From
Side/Rear
Property
Lines
From Streets
and Dwellings
Aviary for birds other
than fowl and poultry
20 per acre 1/2 acre 25 ft. 50 ft.
Beekeeping N.A. 1 acre 25 ft. 50 ft.
Boarding or breeding
kennel
Requirements established by minor use permit approval, and subsection F of this section.
Chickens (hens) 20 per site No minimum
lot size
12 ft. 20 ft.
Dogs and cats 5 animals total on a
site less than 1 acre;
5 of each species on
a site of 1 acre or
more.
None required None required None required
Fowl and poultry other
than roosters and
chickens
12 per acre 1/2 acre 25 ft. 50 ft.
Hogs and swine 1 per acre 2 acres 50 ft. 100 ft.
Horses and cows 2 per acre 1 acre 25 ft. 50 ft.
Roosters 1 per acre 1 acre 25 ft. 50 ft.
Other small animals –
Chinchillas, rabbits,
nonpoisonous reptiles,
rodents, and other
4 animals total on a
site less than 1 acre;
4 of each species on
a site of 1 acre or
more, where
None for 4 or
fewer animals;
1 acre for 5 or
more animals.
None on a site
of less than 1
acre; 10 ft. on a
site of 1 acre or
more.
None on a site
of less than 1
acre; 25 ft. on
a site of 1 acre
or more.
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Table 4-2
Animal-Keeping Standards
Minimum Setbacks(3)
Type of Animal or
Facility
Maximum
Number of
Animals per Site(1)
Minimum
Lot Area(2)
From
Side/Rear
Property
Lines
From Streets
and Dwellings
nonpoisonous animals
of similar size.
allowed by Table 4-
1. Other large animals –
Emus, goats, llamas,
miniature horses and
donkeys, ostriches, pot
belly pigs, sheep, and
similar-sized animals.
4 per acre 1/2 acre 25 ft. 50 feet for
accessory
structure, none
for pasture.
Notes:
(1) Offspring allowed in addition to maximum number until market-ready; greater numbers of animals than allowed by Table 4-2 may be authorized by minor use permit. (2) Minimum lot area required for the keeping of animals. (3) Minimum setbacks from all property lines for barns, shelters, pens, coops, cages, and other areas and structures where animals are kept in concentrated confinement; but not including areas continuously maintained as pasture. Minimum setbacks from dwellings refers to dwellings located on other parcels. Animals shall not be kept in any required front yard setback except in pasture areas.
D. Maintenance and Operational Standards. All animal keeping shall comply with the following maintenance and operational standards:
1. Odor and Vector Control. All animal enclosures, including, but not limited to, pens, coops, cages and feed areas, shall be maintained free from litter, garbage and the accumulation of manure, so as to discourage the proliferation of flies, other disease vectors and offensive odors.
Manure shall also not be allowed to accumulate within setback areas. Each site shall be maintained in a neat and sanitary manner.
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2. Containment. All animals shall be effectively contained on the site, and shall not be allowed to run free on any parcel in a separate ownership or in a public right-of-way.
3. Waterway Protection. The keeping of horses, cattle, fowl, poultry, chickens, roosters, hogs, swine, or other large animals within fifty feet of any waterway shall require minor use permit approval. In addition to the other materials required for a minor use permit application, the applicant shall submit a plan for the protection of the waterway from the polluting effects of runoff from the animal-keeping area. The plan shall provide for regular manure removal, the maintenance of pasture vegetation to minimize the exposure and potential erosion of bare soil, site grading to direct runoff to detention and settling areas rather than the waterway, and/or other measures approved by the review authority.
4. Erosion and Sedimentation Control. In no case shall an animal-keeping operation be managed or maintained so as to produce sedimentation on any public road, adjoining property, or in any drainage channel or other waterway. In the event sedimentation occurs, the keeping of animals outdoors on the site shall be deemed a nuisance and may be subject to abatement.
5. Noise Control. Animal keeping shall comply with the noise standards established by Section 17.30.050, Noise standards.
E. Animal Husbandry Projects. The keeping or raising of the other small animals listed in Table 4-2 as a 4-H or Future Farmers of America (FFA) project may be allowed with up to twenty-five animals in the RR, RVL, and NL zones subject to minor use permit approval, and compliance with the following requirements, in addition to those in Table 4-2.
1. Application Requirements. The minor use permit application shall include a written agreement of supervision by 4-H or FFA officials, that provides a detailed description of the method to be utilized to control odors and insects.
2. Setback Requirements. Any structures, cages, or shelters required for animal keeping shall not be located within a required front or street side setback, and be set back a minimum of five feet from side or rear property lines.
3. Maintenance. The animal keeping shall comply with all standards in subsection D of this section.
F. Kennels and Animal Boarding. Each kennel and other small animal boarding facility shall comply with the following standards:
1. Minimum Site Area. An animal boarding facility may be approved only on a parcel of two acres or larger.
2. Enclosure Within Building. All animal boarding (sleeping and night-time confinement) shall occur within an entirely enclosed building.
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3. Noise Control. The building used for animal boarding shall be insulated, or otherwise constructed and maintained so that no noise from animals within the building is audible to an average person at the property line of the site.
4. Management. A manager of the facility shall be present on the site at all times.
G. Chickens. In addition to the requirements of this section, the keeping of chickens shall comply with the following standards:
1. Accessory to Residential Use. The keeping of chickens shall be solely as an accessory use to a residential use, and may not be the primary use on any site within the city.
2. Location in Multifamily and Commercial Zoning Districts. Enclosures, coops, cages, and shelters shall generally be located internally on a residential site, and shall and shall not abut a commercially zoned property.
3. Butchering Prohibited. Butchering, slaughtering, or otherwise killing chickens shall be prohibited.
4. Nuisance Prohibited. Confirmed noise impacts, odor impacts, and valid vector complaints shall cause the chickens to be deemed a nuisance, and result in this use becoming prohibited at the subject site.
5. Private Common Areas. Signoff. Where chickens are proposed to be located in a private common area, the private governing organization (e.g., the homeowner's association) shall provide written consent to the chicken owners and are ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with this consent.ese standards.
17.42.080 Home occupations
The following standards for home occupations are intended to provide reasonable opportunities for employment within the home, while avoiding changes to the residential character of a dwelling that accommodates a home occupation, or the surrounding neighborhood, where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses) of this title. Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs) are exempt from this Section and are instead subject to the standards of Section 17.42.270 Microenterprise home kitchen operations (MEHKOs).:
A. Business License Required. A home occupation shall require a city business license.
B. Limitations on Use. The following are examples of business activities that may be approved as home occupations, and uses that are prohibited as home occupations:
1. Uses Allowed as Home Occupations. The following and other uses determined by the director to be similar may be approved by the director in compliance with this section:
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a. Art and craft work (ceramics, painting, photography, sculpture, etc.); b. Office-only uses, including an office for an architect, attorney, consultant, counselor, doctor, insurance agent, planner, tutor, writer, and electronic commerce; c. Personal trainers and licensed massage therapy and physical therapy; d. Tailors, sewing; and
e. Cottage Food Operations operating in compliance with the California Health and Safety Code and possessing a current permit from County of Sonoma Environmental Health; and
f. Market gardens and garden stands..
2. Uses Prohibited as Home Occupations. The following are examples of business activities that are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities, and are, therefore, prohibited as home occupations:
a. Adult entertainment activities/businesses;
b. Animal hospitals and boarding facilities;
c. Auto and other vehicle sales, repair and service (body or mechanical), painting, storage, or upholstery, or the repair, reconditioning, servicing, or manufacture of any vehicle engine, or of any motor vehicle, including automobiles, boats, motorcycles, or trucks;
d. Commercial cabinet or furniture making, and similar uses; e. Contractor’s and other storage yards;
f. Dismantling, junk, or scrap yards;
g. Fitness/health facilities, except those allowed under subsection (B)(1) of this section; h. Medical clinics and laboratories;
i. On-site sales, except that mail order businesses may be allowed where there is no stock-in-trade on the site;
j. Personal services as defined in Article 9 (Glossary), except those allowed under subsection (B)(1) of this section;
k. Transportation services, including ambulance, taxi, limousine, tow truck, etc.; l. Uses which require explosives or highly combustible or toxic materials; 129 of 202
m. Welding and machine shop operations;
n. Wood cutting businesses; or
o. Other use the director determines to be similar to those listed above.
C. Operating Standards. Home occupations shall comply with all of the following operating standards:
1. Accessory Use. The home occupation shall be clearly secondary to the full-time use of the property as a residence.
2. Location of Home Occupation Activities. All home occupation activities shall be confined completely to one room within take place either inside the primary dwelling, occupying no which shall not occupy more than twenty-five percent of the gross floor area of the dwelling ground level, or in to a permitted enclosed accessory structure. Urban agricultureThe exception is market garden and garden stand activities in compliance with Sections
17.42.130, 17.42.230, and 17.42.240 of this Chapter which may be conducted outdoors., but not within the front setback.
3. Visibility. The use shall not require any exterior modification to the structure not customarily found in a dwelling, nor shall the home occupation activity be visible from a public right-of-way, or from neighboring residential properties.
4. Signs. No signs shall be permitted, with the exception of a There shall be no signs, other than one name plate, not exceeding one square foot in area, and only if attached flush to a wall of the structure.
5. Safety. Activities conducted and equipment or material used shall not change the fire safety or occupancy classifications of the premises. The use shall not employ the storage of explosive, flammable, or hazardous materials beyond those normally associated with a residential use.
6. Off-Site Effects. No home occupation activity shall create dust, electrical interference, fumes, gas, glare, light, noise, odor, smoke, toxic/hazardous materials, vibration, or other hazards or nuisances as determined by the director.
7. Outdoor Display or Storage. There shall be no window display or outdoor storage or display of equipment, materials, or supplies associated with the home occupation.
8. Employees. A home occupation shall have no on-site employees other than full-time residents of the dwelling.
9. Client/Customer Visits. The home occupation shall be operated so as to not require more than twelve vehicle trips per day of clients, customers, and/or visitors to the residence. On130 of 202 site presence of clients or customers shall be limited to one client or family at a time, and only between the hours of nine a.m. and eight p.m.
10. Deliveries. The home occupation shall not involve the use of commercial vehicles for delivery of materials to or from the premises in a manner different from normal residential usage, except for FedEx, UPS, or USPS-type home pick-ups and deliveries.
11. Motor Vehicles. The motor vehicles used or kept on the premises, except residents’ passenger vehicles, shall comply with the requirements of Section 17.36.130 (Commercial vehicles on private property) of this title.
12. Utility Service Modifications. No utility service to the dwelling shall be modified solely to accommodate a home occupation, other than as required for normal residential use.
17.42.250 Food Trucks and Food Carts
A. Applicability. The provisions of this section apply to food trucks and food carts operating 1) on private property, where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses) of this title, 2) in City-approved parklets on public property, and 3) as allowed by a City special event, block party, or limited term permit. This section also applies to food trucks operating on an intermittent, short-term basis in the Commercial Industrial (CI) Zoning district. The intent of these provisions is to allow food truck and food cart operation to promote economic development and culinary choice while managing potential impacts on the community. For the purposes of this Code, food trucks and food carts operated in compliance with this section are distinct from sidewalk vendors, which are subject to the standards of Section 17.42.260.
B. General requirements
1. Each food truck and cart shall have and display at all times a current City of Cotati Business License and permit from Sonoma County Environmental Health. When a food truck or cart is operating under a special event or other City permit, the business license obtained by the permitee shall be sufficient.
2. Food trucks, carts, and their operators and employees shall comply with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
3. Food trucks and carts shall at all times maintain a four-foot clear walkway on all sidewalks and pathways and shall comply with all other applicable ADA/accessibility standards during vending operations and activities.
C. Operating Standards.
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1. Food truck and cart operators and employees shall have access to a restroom with handwashing facilities with running water, soap, and paper towels within two hundred feet of the truck or cart location.
2. A clean and trash-free twenty-foot radius shall be maintained around the truck or cart location.
3. Trash, recycling, and compost containers shall be provided for customer use adjacent to food pick-up window and/or outdoor dining area. Such containers may be provided by the event organizer, if the food truck or cart is operating under a special event or other City permit.
4. Any spilled refuse, food, grease, or other fluid or item related to the food truck or cart shall be immediately cleaned up to prevent it from entering the public right-of-way or storm drains.
5. Disposal of any wastewater, rinse residue, or other fluid into or adjacent to gutters, streets, or storm drains, or on any public property is prohibited.
6. Operators shall not dispose of trash, debris, recyclables, or compost generated by food truck or cart operation into public refuse receptacles.
7. Food trucks and carts shall comply with CMC Chapter 8.20, including refraining from the use of disposable food service ware that contains polystyrene foam or PFAS.
8. A working fire extinguisher of the appropriate type and rating shall be maintained in or on the food truck or cart at all times.
9. Sales to any person in a motor vehicle located or travelling on a public roadway are prohibited.
10. Food trucks and carts shall not create a nuisance to adjacent properties from odors, smoke, dust, or other emanation.
11. Compliance with City of Cotati noise standards is required.
D. Design standards.
1. Food trucks and carts shall be maintained in good working order and entirely selfcontained. No food storage, preparation, or cooking shall take place outside the food truck or food cart area. as No external power, piping, or plumbing is permitted, except as permitted by Section 17.42.250(E)(3)(d).
2. Generators shall be located inside or securely attached to food truck or cart. Fuel for generators must be stored inside food truck or cart.
3. Signage must comply with the following standards:
a. Signage shall be affixed to truck or cart and shall not extend beyond the truck or cart itself.
b. Signage shall relate only to the food truck or cart and shall not advertise any other business or any items that are not immediately available for sale at the food truck or cart.
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c. Flashing, blinking, and animated signs are prohibited, with the exception of food trucks and carts operating under a special event or other City permit.
E. Additional standards for food trucks and food carts operating on commercially-zoned private property, where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses) of this title, with the exception of those operating with a City special event, block party, or limited term permit
1. Location requirements
a. Multiple food trucks and/or carts may be allowed to operate simultaneously on a single property with a Minor Use Permit. Otherwise, only one food truck or cart may operate on a property at a time.
b. All food truck and cart operation shall take place on private property only and shall not encroach onto the sidewalk, street, or other public right-of-way.
Customers are allowed to be on a public sidewalk while patronizing a food truck or cart, as long as a minimum of four feet of passing space for pedestrians is maintained on the sidewalk and entrances to adjacent buildings remain accessible. c. Food trucks and carts shall be located on compact and dust-free surfaces only. d. Food trucks and carts shall be located as follows:
i. In compliance with zoning district setbacks for the rear and interior side property lines if property abuts a residential use on that side. ii. No closer than the lesser of five feet or the setback distance required by the zoning district from a rear or interior side property line if the property abuts a non-residential use on that side.
iii. No closer than two feet from a front or street side property line. e. The food truck or cart and its operation shall not block circulation, emergency access, or access to other approved uses on the property. f. At least two private or public parking spaces shall be available for food truck or cart customers, located adjacent to the truck or cart location. The private parking spaces may be shared with other uses on the property.
g. Location of food trucks, carts, dining areas, and associated equipment shall ensure that the minimum required on-site parking spaces for other approved uses on the property is maintained
h. If the food truck or cart is towed by a vehicle, that vehicle shall be parked legally and shall be subject to the same location standards as the food truck or cart.
2. Operating Standards
a. Food trucks and carts may operate between 7:00am and the later of 1) 11:00pm, or 2) the closing time of any other permitted business on the same property, including set up and break down time(s).
b. No equipment or belongings except solid waste receptacles, an A-board sign complying with 17.42.250(E)(3), and outdoor dining area that complies with
17.42.250(E)(3) shall be allowed outside the food truck or cart. 133 of 202
c. The food truck or cart shall be removed from the property daily at the end of each operating period. The exception is a food truck that uses a permitted restaurant on the same property as its commissary, with Sonoma County Environmental Health approval.
d. All equipment associated with food truck or cart operation, including outdoor dining furniture, coverings, and solid waste receptacles, shall be removed from the property daily at the end of each operating period or stored in a permitted enclosed structure. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis with Minor Use Permit approval.
e. Amplified music is prohibited in association with food truck or cart operation, unless authorized by a special event or other city permit.
3. Design standards
a. Food carts, including all associated equipment including canopies or other coverings, shall not exceed a total of one hundred square feet in area, not including dining area if any.
b. Food trucks and carts may provide a temporary dining area for customers, including seating, tables, and covering, as follows:
i. The dining area shall meet the same location standards as food trucks and carts.
ii. A maximum of one hundred square feet in area is allowed, including area(s) under coverings if any. Exceptions may be made on a case-bycase basis with Minor Use Permit approval. iii. No advertising of any business is allowed on outdoor dining furniture or cover.
c. In addition to the signage allowed in Section 17.42.250(D)(3), each food truck or cart may have one A-board sign, to be put away daily at the end of operation, located only on private property and completely out of the public right-of-way, and conforming to standards in Section 17.38.070(A) of this title. d. Food trucks and carts may utilize a single power extension cord that is:
i. Rated for outdoor use.
ii. Appropriately covered or placed to avoid trip hazards. iii. Connected to a permanent power source on the same property as the food cart.
iv. Removed daily at the end of operation.
F. Additional standards for food trucks operating on an intermittent, short-term basis on private property and in the public right-of-way in the Commercial Industrial (CI) zoning district, where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses) of this title:
1. General standards:
a. Operation shall take place only between 7:00am and 6:00pm. 134 of 202
b. No outdoor dining or equipment except solid waste receptacles shall be permitted. c. No signage shall be permitted that is not affixed to the truck.
2. Standards for food trucks operating on private property:
a. Property owner permission is required.
b. Food trucks may operate for a maximum of two hours daily on any individual property. c. The food truck and its operation shall not block circulation, emergency access, pedestrian access, or access to other approved uses on the property.
3. Standards for food trucks operating in the public right-of-way:
a. Food trucks shall park only in approved parking spaces. Parking and operation on streets or roads with no designated parking is prohibited.
b. Food trucks shall not operate on streets with a traffic speed limit of 35mph or above. c. Food trucks shall be stationed so that customer access, sales, and service takes place from the non-roadway and/or sidewalk side of truck. Operation and sales activity shall not cause customers or other pedestrians to enter roadway.
d. Once parked for operation, a food truck shall move within two hours to another location that is at least five hundred feet away.
e. Food trucks shall not operate in or cause customers to encroach into landscaped areas. f. Food trucks shall not operate on or cause customers to encroach onto private property without the property owner’s permission.
g. Operation shall not block sidewalks, crosswalks, or driveways, impede accessibility, or block emergency access on streets or roads or to private properties. h. Parking for food truck operation shall be a minimum of thirty-five feet from any intersection with another public street and shall maintain the vision triangle at all times, as illustrated in Figure 3-7, Article 3 of this title.
17.42.260 Sidewalk vending
A. Applicability. The provisions of this section apply to sidewalk vending and sidewalk vendors on public sidewalks and public pedestrian paths where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses) of this title. The intent of these provisions is to minimize potential negative impacts of sidewalk vending on the community. For the purposes of this Code, sidewalk vendors operating in compliance with this section are distinct from vendors operating under the auspices of a City special event, block party, or limited term permit, food carts, and food trucks, which are subject to the standards of Section 17.42.250.
B. General requirements
1. Sidewalk vendors shall vend only from a cart as defined in Section 17.90.020 of this title, or from their person.
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2. Vendors shall have and display at all times a current City of Cotati Business License.
3. Vendors selling merchandise shall have and display at all times a current Seller’s Permit from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
4. Sidewalk vendors selling food shall have and display at all times a permit from Sonoma County Environmental Health, if applicable.
5. Vendors shall not require permission or approval from any private property owner or other individual to operate in accordance with this Section.
6. Vendors shall comply with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
C. Location standards
1. Sidewalk vendors shall operate only on public sidewalks and public pedestrian paths.
2. Stationary vendors are prohibited in the RR and RVL zoning districts.
3. Vendors shall not block sidewalks or pedestrian paths and shall maintain a minimum four feet clear passing space for pedestrians at all times.
4. In no event shall a sidewalk vendor prevent any feature of the public right-of-way from being used for its intended purpose or functioning as intended.
5. No vendor may operate in the following locations:
a. On any surface that is landscaped or is not compact and dust-free. b. Within five feet of street trees, bicycle racks and lockers, public art, benches, planters, refuse receptacles, and street furniture.
c. Within fifteen feet of access ramps, bus stops, fire apparatus, storm drains, mailboxes, public restrooms, and building entrances with the exception of entrances to businesses with which the vendor is affiliated. d. Within twenty-five feet of outdoor serving and dining areas or parklets with which the vendor is not affiliated.
e. Within thirty-five feet of street intersections, unless cart and all visual obstructions are of thirty-six inches or less in height, as illustrated in Figure 3-7, Article 3 of this title.
f. Within fifty feet of the SMART train station, railroad crossings, or construction or roadwork zones.
g. Within fifty feet of play structures and equipment, sports facilities, picnic tables, drinking fountains, bandstands, stages, bleachers, or other features intended for passive or active recreational use in parks.
h. Within two hundred feet of a concession stand in a park during its operating hours.
i. In the case of stationary vendors, in a public park where the City has an exclusive agreement with a concessionaire for that park.
j. Within two hundred feet of another sidewalk vendor, the Cotati Farmer’s Market (when operating), an activity taking place with a City special event, limited term, 136 of 202
or other permit, freeway on- or off-ramps, schools, and daycare or childcare facilities. k. In any park outside of the open hours of that park, or if the park has no posted hours, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.
l. In any location that impedes ADA accessibility.
D. Operating Standards
1. Sidewalk vendors may operate only during the following times:
a. Residential zoning districts (RR, RVL, NL, NM, NU): Between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
b. Other zoning districts: Between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
2. Vendors operating for more than one hour shall have access to a restroom with handwash facilities with running water, soap, and sanitary hand drying equipment within two hundred feet of the vending location.
3. Roaming vendors shall maintain continuous motion from one location to another, except when actively conducting sales transactions with customers. A vendor may conduct multiple sales in a location, if a queue of customers is waiting. If there is no queue, the vendor must move to a new location at least two hundred feet away before stopping again.
4. Vendors shall provide refuse containers attached to cart for customers’ use.
5. Vendors shall maintain a clean and trash-free twenty-foot radius around their vending location.
6. Vendors shall immediately clean up any refuse, food, grease, or other fluid or item related to their vending activities that falls onto the sidewalk or other public right of way.
7. Sidewalk vendors cooking food shall at all times maintain a working fire extinguisher of the appropriate type and rating attached to or inside the cart.
8. Vendors shall comply with CMC Chapter 8.20, including refraining from the use of disposable food service ware that contains polystyrene foam or PFAS.
9. Sidewalk vendors shall not engage in any of the following activities:
a. Vending of alcoholic beverages, cannabis products, tobacco products, or other legally-controlled substances.
b. Provision of outdoor dining, seating, tables, or cover for customers. c. Using, playing, or employing any sound, amplifier, loudspeaker, radio or any other instrument or device to produce sound in connection with the promotion of a vending operation.
d. Creating a nuisance to adjacent properties from odors, smoke, dust, or other emanation.
e. Leaving vending cart unattended.
f. Making sales to any person in a motor vehicle parked or travelling on a public roadway.
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g. Renting merchandise, offering or advertising services, or advertising or selling merchandise that is not immediately available from vendor. h. Disposing of any wastewater, rinse residue, cooking oil, or other fluid into gutters, streets, or storm drains, or on any public property.
i. Disposing of trash, debris, or recyclables generated by a sidewalk vending operation into public refuse receptacles.
j. Continuing to offer food or merchandise for sale, following, or accompanying any potential customer who has been offered food or merchandise after such person has declined the offer
k. Knowingly making false statements or misrepresentations during the course of offering food or merchandise for sale.
l. Blocking or impeding the path of any person(s) utilizing the public right of way. m. Making any statement, gesture, or other communication which a reasonable person would perceive to be a threat.
n. Touching the person(s) being offered food or merchandise without that person(s)’ consent.
o. Placing cart, equipment, merchandise, or personal belongings on private property or any other non-permitted space when engaging in sidewalk vending activities.
E. Design standards
1. A sidewalk vendor’s total operating area may not exceed twenty-five square feet of sidewalk, including the area of the cart and that occupied by vendor and vendor’s personal chair.
2. The dimensions of the cart shall not exceed thirty-six inches in width, eighty-four inches in length, and forty-eight inches in height excluding umbrella, canopies, or transparent enclosures. The minimum height of any food preparation or food display area of the cart shall be thirty inches above grade.
3. Umbrellas, canopies, and other coverings shall:
a. Have a minimum vertical clearance of eighty-four inches and a maximum height of one hundred fourteen inches above grade.
b. Not exceed thirty-six square feet in area.
c. Be affixed to and located over the cart.
4. All equipment, merchandise, and personal belongings of the vendor shall be off the ground and attached to or located inside the cart or attached to the vendor’s person, with the exception of one chair for the vendor’s personal use.
5. Propane tanks shall be attached to or contained within the cart and the cart must allow for adequate ventilation and screening of the tank.
6. Vendors shall not use portable generators, gasoline, kerosene, outdoor wood burning ovens, or charcoal barbecues.
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7. Carts shall be entirely self-contained. No external power, piping, or plumbing is permitted.
8. Signage shall be affixed to the cart or to vendor’s person and limited to a total of four square feet in area.
9. Flashing, blinking, and animated signs are prohibited.
10. All signage shall be related only to the sidewalk vendor. Advertisement of other businesses is prohibited.
F. Enforcement and Fines
1. A violation of any provision of this Section is punishable only by an administrative citation pursuant to Section 1.28 of this title, in amounts not to exceed the following:
a. An administrative fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for a first violation. b. An administrative fine not exceeding two hundred dollars for a second violation within one year of the first violation.
c. An administrative fine not exceeding five hundred dollars for each additional violation within one year of the first violation.
2. No other fines, fees, assessments, or financial conditions shall be imposed by the City for violation of this Section.
3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, neither a violation of Section
17.42.260 nor a failure to pay an administrative fine imposed by Section 17.42.260(F) shall be punishable as an infraction or misdemeanor.
4. Any person who receives an administrative fine under Section 17.42.260(F) shall have the right to request an ability-to-pay determination.
a. The City shall give any such person written notice of his or her right to request an ability-to-pay determination as well as instructions and other materials for requesting an ability-to-pay determination at the time that the administrative fine citation is issued.
b. A right-to-pay determination may be requested at any time following the issuance of the administrative fine citation until the fine is paid, including when payment of the fine is delinquent or has been referred to a collection program. c. Upon receipt of a request for an ability-to-pay determination, the city manager or his or her designee shall determine whether such person meets the criteria described in subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 68632 of the Government Code.
The determination of the city manager or his or her designee shall be final.
5. If the person meets the criteria described in subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 68632 of the Government Code, the city shall reduce the fine to twenty percent of the amount of the fine originally imposed.
6. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to limit the city's ability to enforce laws of general applicability against sidewalk vendors, or to take any other enforcement actions against sidewalk vendors that are allowed by state or federal law or this code. 139 of 202
Section 17.42.270 Microenterprise home kitchen operations (MEHKOs) A. Applicability. The provisions of this section apply to Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs), where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses) of this title.
The intent of these provisions is to manage potential impacts of MEHKOs on the community.
B. General requirements
1. MEHKOs shall be subject to the applicable standards of the County of Sonoma Code and California Government Code.
2. Each MEHKO shall have a current City of Cotati Business License and health permit from Sonoma County Environmental Health.
3. MEHKOs shall comply with all applicable performance standards of Section 17.30.070 this title.
4. MEHKOs are exempt from Section 17.42.080 Home occupations of this title.
17.90.020 Definitions is amended to add:
“Cart,” for the purposes of Section 17.42.260 of this title, means the pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, table, or other nonmotorized conveyance or apparatus, propelled solely by a human being, used by a sidewalk vendor to convey, display, store, prepare, and/or vend food and/or merchandise, including any surrounding area used in the sidewalk vending operation up to a maximum area of twenty-five square feet. “Food cart,” for the purposes of Section 17.42.250 of this title, means a nonmotorized cart, wagon, trailer, stand, or other mobile or portable assemblydesigned for outdoor food preparation and service on a temporary basis
“Food truck” means a motor vehicle (including an electric vehicle) or a trailer, cart, wagon, or other vessel that is towed by a motor vehicle (including an electric vehicle) that is used for the preparation and sale of food.
“Microenterprise home kitchen operation (MEHKO)” has the same meaning as set forth in California Health and Safety Code Section 113825, as updated from time to time. “Parklet” means a food and/or beverage service and/or customer dining installation or facility on public or private parking space(s), operated by an adjacent permitted business with City approval.
“Roaming sidewalk vendor” means a sidewalk vendor who moves from place to place and stops only to complete a transaction.
“Sidewalk vending” means the activity of selling food or merchandise from a cart as defined by this Code, or from one’s person, upon a public sidewalk or public pedestrian path. Operating a 140 of 202
Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) on a public sidewalk or public pedestrian path is considered sidewalk vending.
“Sidewalk vendor” means a person(s) who engages in sidewalk vending. “Stationary sidewalk vendor” means a sidewalk vendor who vends from a single fixed location during each day of operation.
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1 Parklet and Outdoor Dining Standards DRAFT
Parklets and outdoor dining provide the Cotati community with a broader array of dining options and help support Cotati’s businesses. The following standards work in tandem with the Cotati Land Use Code to manage the location, operation, and appearance of parklets and outdoor dining.
For more information, contact the Community Development Department at 707-665-3636.
Definitions
Parklet: A food and/or beverage service and/or customer dining installation or facility on public or private parking space(s), operated by an adjacent permitted business with City approval.
Developed Parklet: A parklet that is semi-permanent and intended to be used by the operator on a regular, frequent basis.
Temporary Parklet: A parklet that is used intermittently or infrequently by the adjacent business(es), as described below, and is removed at the close of each day of operation.
Outdoor dining: A dining area operated by an adjacent food and/or beverage service business on a sidewalk or other outdoor area on public or private property, but not in parking spaces.
Operator: The business owner that receives City approval for and operates a parklet or outdoor dining. This business must be adjacent to the parklet or outdoor dining area.
A. Standards Applicable to All Parklets and Outdoor Dining General
1. All parklets and outdoor dining areas must receive City and Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District (RAFPD) approval for Planning/Zoning consistency, design, accessibility/ADA compliance, and fire and traffic safety. A Minor Use Permit is required for outdoor dining or a parklet on private property if the proposed location is within 100 feet of a dwelling on a different property that is zoned RR, RVL, NL, NM, or NU.
2. Parklets and outdoor dining on public property require the operator to enter into a License Agreement with the City, liability insurance to meet City’s standards, and payment of an annual fee. For parklets, the fee is $1.00 per square foot of public property occupied. Fees for outdoor dining are determined on a case-by-case basis. Licensee is responsible for the installation, maintenance, and upon termination of license, removal of parklet/outdoor dining and return of the space to its prior condition or better.
3. All parklets and outdoor dining may require a Building Permit, as determined by the Community Development Director.
4. The property owner’s written permission is required for private property installations.
5. A business may operate both outdoor dining and a parklet at a single location. 142 of 202
2 6. Any alcoholic beverage sales or consumption taking place outdoors must meet all City of Cotati and California Department of Beverage Control (ABC) requirements for the sale and service of alcoholic beverages.
7. All parklets and outdoor dining shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times, including a 10-foot litter-free area around the operation and prompt removal of any food or liquid that spills onto the ground.
8. Developed parklets and outdoor dining may include limited food preparation and sales of prepared foods, with City approval, provided that the following standards are met:
a. Approval is obtained from County of Sonoma Environmental Health. b. The total area used for this activity is no more than 100 square feet and is contained on a table, cart, or stand that is raised a minimum of 30 inches above grade.
c. Conformance with CMC Section 17.30.070 Performance Standards for All Land Uses.
9. Temporary parklets on public parking spaces may provide food preparation and service by a food truck or food cart in compliance with Sections 17.42.250(A) through (D).
10. Parklets and outdoor dining may not feature amplified music unless specifically authorized to do so by a limited term, special event, or other applicable City permit.
11. Parklets and outdoor dining may operate only during the operating hours of the operator’s adjacent business.
Design and Building
12. Installations on public property must be located adjacent to the operator’s business location, and the linear space allocated shall generally not exceed the length of the business’ street frontage.
13. Furnishings, fencing, railing, and other components shall be constructed primarily of finished wood or metal. No plastic furnishings shall be allowed without City approval.
14. No business names, logos, or advertising shall be allowed on furnishings, umbrellas, fencing, lighting, barricades, diverters, planters, or other components.
15. Any signs proposed will require a Sign Permit from the City.
16. Installations shall not block visibility of nearby businesses, encroach by more than 1/3 into street tree canopies, or block driveways or utilities.
17. No element of installations on public property may penetrate the street or sidewalk surface.
18. Battery- and solar-powered lights are allowed.
19. Electricity may be extended to a developed parklet or outdoor dining, with City approval. In general, power cords will be limited to one and must be run overhead. Temporary parklets must be completely self-contained.
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3 20. Heating and cooking devices require City and RAFPD approval. Heaters or cooking devices must have a minimum 5-foot clearance from flammable materials, and shall not be placed underneath canopies, awnings, umbrellas, or trees, unless expressly authorized by the Cotati Fire Marshall. Any cooking or food preparation surface must be raised at least 30 inches above grade.
Safety and Accessibility
21. Any installation must preserve a minimum 4-foot unobstructed path of travel along sidewalks.
22. No outdoor dining or parklet may obstruct building entrances, emergency access, fire apparatus, access to parked vehicles, driveways, or bus stops.
23. All outdoor dining and parklets must be maintained in a clean, sanitary condition.
24. No chemicals or hazardous substances shall be used in the maintenance of parklets or outdoor dining in such a way that they might run off into the street, gutter, and/or storm drains.
25. The City is not responsible for damage or impacts to parklets or outdoor dining from vehicles, routine City maintenance, or emergency repairs to City utilities and/or street features.
26. Any tables, seats, counters, drink rails, and other amenities must meet accessible/ADAcompliant design requirements.
B. Standards Applicable to Outdoor Dining (Non-Parklet) Only
1. All outdoor dining shall provide a minimum clearance of 5 feet around fire hydrants and from driveways, 3 feet around fire department connections on buildings, 10 feet from bus stops, and shall not obstruct curb returns or curb ramps.
2. On public property, market-style shade umbrellas may be used and shall be made of canvas or canvas-like material. A minimum vertical clearance of 7 feet is required under umbrellas; maximum height of umbrellas is 9 feet. Umbrellas must be stored in the closed position during non-operating hours.
3. On private property, semi-permanent covering, trellising, pergolas, and canvas shade cloths or umbrellas are allowed and shall be anchored consistent with manufacturer’s guidelines to withstand windloads, and in a manner acceptable to the City. Height of roofing/covering and supporting posts shall be as approved by the City, generally a minimum of 7 feet and maximum of 10 feet.
C. Standards Applicable to Parklets Only
General
1. Parklets in the public right of way may only be located on streets with existing on-street parking spaces.
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4 2. Parklets proposed for streets with a speed limit of 30mph may require additional design mitigations to ensure safety. Parklets are prohibited on streets with speed limits of 35mph or more.
3. A maximum of two public parking spaces, or three private lot parking spaces, may be occupied by a parklet. Accessible/ADA parking spaces and loading zones may not be used for parklets.
4. A parking evaluation will be performed by the City for parklets proposed on private property to ensure that removal of parking will not adversely impact neighboring businesses or residents.
5. No portion of a parklet using public parking spaces may be located outside the boundary of the parking spaces themselves, with the exception of a transition between the sidewalk and parklet as approved by the City. Where a business has both a parklet and outdoor dining, a minimum of 4 feet of unobstructed pedestrian travel path must be maintained between the two.
D. Standards Applicable to Developed Parklets Only
Safety and Accessibility
1. Parklets shall be located such that the entire parklet area maintains the following clearances:
a. 20 feet from an intersection from the approaching direction b. 10 feet from an intersection from the exiting direction c. 10 feet from bus stops
d. 5 feet from fire hydrants or other fire department connections e. 2 feet from any active driveway
f. Access to public utilities shall not be obstructed
g. Parklets located within 35 feet of street intersections may be prohibited or limited in height and area, at the City’s discretion.
2. Parklets shall include minimum safety buffers as follows: 4 feet from adjacent parallel parking spaces; 2 feet from adjacent diagonal parking spaces or perpendicular parking spaces; and 2 feet from traffic bike lanes. Safety buffers will be included in the total parklet footprint area allocated to the business.
3. Traffic safety elements shall be installed per City requirements, at applicant’s expense, and must be located within the total parklet footprint area allocated to the business.
4. Traffic barricades or their equivalent will be required on all right-of-way and parking areas adjacent to a parklet. Potential barricades may include steel stock tank planters, heavy wood planter boxes, wheel stops, or similar objects.
5. Edges and corners of parklets should be marked with high-intensity retro-reflective tape or reflectors to be visible to drivers at night.
6. The City may require additional safety measures at its discretion. 145 of 202
5 7. Each parklet shall include a readily visible address for emergency responders.
Design and Maintenance
8. Parklets shall be delineated by open fencing or other approved barrier material of 30 to 42 inches high. Intermittently-placed posts exceeding 42 inches are allowed to support covering, but should not block clear visibility through the parklet. Fully transparent panels above 42 inches high to block the wind may be considered.
9. If used, umbrellas shall be made of canvas or canvas-like material, and shall be stored in the closed position when the subject business is closed.
10. Semi-permanent covering, trellising, pergolas, and canvas shade cloths are allowed and shall be anchored consistent with manufacturer’s guidelines to withstand windloads, and in a manner acceptable to the City. Reasonable height of roofing/covering and supporting posts shall be as approved by the City, generally a minimum vertical clearance of 7 feet and a maximum height of 10 feet. Coverings shall not extend over a public sidewalk.
11. Parklets adjacent to a sidewalk/curb must have solid flooring installed to create a stable, smooth, slip-resistant ADA-compliant raised platform of less than 2% slope. The flooring must be flush with the sidewalk/curb, with no more than ½ inch horizontal gap and no more than ¼ inch vertical gap or level change.
12. Parklet flooring must be designed and constructed to avoid water pooling underneath, allow regular cleaning underneath, and avoid impeding curbline drainage. A minimum 6 inch by 6 inch of clear gutter space must be provided along the entire length of the platform, and should be maintained so that gutter remains unblocked, including regular trash removal. The rest of the flooring platform shall be designed to prevent debris and trash from going underneath. The area underneath the parklet flooring platform and the adjacent gutter shall be cleaned out weekly, preferably by sweeping or blowing. Trash shall not be allowed to accumulate under or adjacent to the parklet, or to enter any adjacent storm drains.
13. Buffer areas shall be maintained and kept clear of trash and obstructions such as garbage bins, bicycles, etc.
14. The City may periodically require the operators of parklets on public property to remove the installation for maintenance.
E. Standards Applicable to Temporary Parklets Only
1. Temporary parklets may be approved by the City on a case-by-case basis. Temporary parklets must generally adhere to the standards for developed parklets in Section D above, with modifications allowed by the City consistent with the short-term nature of the installation. Measures to ensure public and customer safety and accessibility must be included.
2. A temporary parklet must be fully dismantled and all furniture and equipment removed from the parking spaces daily or at the end of operation, as required by the City.
3. Temporary parklets may be installed for a maximum of 40 days per calendar year, for no more than 3 consecutive days, and with at least 4 non-parklet operating days in between. 146 of 202
6 4. Temporary parklets must be spaced at least 100 feet from another temporary parklet (while in operation).
5. Temporary parklets on public parking spaces may be occupied by food trucks or food carts in compliance with CMC Sections 17.42.250(A) through (D), with City approval.
6. Temporary parklets in private parking spaces that feature food trucks or food carts shall be allowed consistent with Sections 17.42.250(A) through (E).
Updated 3/23/26
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City Council
Public Hearing on
Ordinance for Food
and Mobile Businesses
Community Development
Department
April 14, 2026
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Background
Sidewalk vendors, food trucks and
carts, Microenterprise Home Kitchen
Operations (MEHKOs), parklets,
outdoor dining, urban agriculture,
and home occupations
Foster economic development and
community vitality, while managing
potential impacts.
Addressing a broad range of
potential situations and activities
PC and CC workshops January
PC public hearing March 16
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Sidewalk Vendors
—Proposed Standards
City business license + County health permit
and/or State seller’s permit
Locational standards Public sidewalks only (Food carts on private property addressed in different
code section)
No blocking sidewalks, must maintain
accessibility
Maintain distance from street furniture,
intersections, events, building entrances,
etc, to ensure functionality
Stationary vendors prohibited in RR and RVL
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Sidewalk Vendors—Proposed Standards
Operating standards
Occupy no more than 25 sqft of space
Hours: Residential zones--8am-7pm;
other zones--7am-11pm
Clean up litter and spills
Odor, noise, nuisance performance standards
Permission to use nearby restroom
(stationary vendors 1+ hour)
Roaming vendors—Stop only for sales,
then move to new location
Signage limitations (size, type)
No dining area
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Sidewalk Vendors—Proposed Standards
Enforcement:
Administrative fines for code violation
No additional fines or fees
No infractions or misdemeanors
May request ability-to-pay
determination
Fee reduction to 20%
No sidewalk vending permit at this time
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Food Trucks/Carts—Proposed General Standards
Ordinance addresses food trucks/carts:
At events
In temporary parklets on public parking
On private commercial properties
In Commercial Industrial zoning district
Standards for all situations:
Business license/Health permit
Clean, litter free conditions; noise
control; access to nearby restroom with
handwashing facilities; self-contained
operation; limited signage, etc.
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Food Trucks/Carts—Proposed Standards on
Private Property
Privately owned properties in commercial,
industrial, mixed use, specific plan
(DSP, TOC, SW) zoning
By-right if comply with standards
(zoning clearance)
MUP required if:
Location within 100 ft of dwelling
on another property (CD, SP zones)
DSP Historic Core
Multiple trucks and/or carts at one time
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Food Trucks/Carts—Proposed Standards on
Private Property
Any business type as primary use on site
Site may be vacant
Food cart may occupy up to 100 sqft and
isn’t necessarily a “cart”
May provide outdoor dining up to 100 sqft
Trucks, carts, outdoor dining must be removed
nightly; exceptions with MUP
Setbacks: Front/street side 2 ft for sales to
sidewalk; Rear/interior side per zoning if abuts
residential; otherwise the lesser of 5’ or per
zoning
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Food Trucks/Carts—Proposed Standards on
Private Property
Operating hours between 7am and
11pm OR closing time adjacent biz
Provide two parking spaces, public
or private (may share with other
uses on property)
Placement may not block
emergency access, other uses on
site, required number of parking
spaces
No amplified music w/o permit 156 of 202
Food Trucks—Proposed Standards in Commercial
Industrial (CI) Zone
For intermittent/short-term operation
Two hours per location maximum
Between 7:00am-6:00pm only
On private properties with owner permission
On street in approved parking spaces
Move at least 500 feet before parking again
Vend to sidewalk side only
Only on streets of 30mph limit or less
Operation/location may not block emergency
access, accessibility, traffic visibility, etc.
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Temporary Parklets—Proposed Rules
Parklets guidelines, not part of ordinance
City approval required
1-2 public parking spaces; 1-3 private spaces
License agreement for public parking
Any type of business host and match host hours
Food trucks, food carts on public parking
Maximum 40 days/year
Maximum 3 consecutive days, 4 days between
At least 100 ft between active parklets
Removal from space nightly
No amplified music without permit
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Outdoor Dining
—Proposed Permitting
Currently, MUP required for outdoor
dining on private property abutting a
residential use in CD, DSP, TOC, or SW
Ordinance proposes MUP requirement
for these zones when: Outdoor dining location within 100 ft of a dwelling
On a different property Zoned residential
On public property, a license agreement
is required (not MUP)—same
consideration near residential
Amplified music requires permit
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MEHKOs—Proposed Standards
Add to land use code
Reiterate that only allowed accessory to
a residential use
Exempt from home occupation
standards
Clarify that nuisance standards apply
(noise, illegal parking, blocking street,
solid waste disposal, etc.
Business license and health permit
required 160 of 202
Other Proposed Standards Chicken-keeping, Market Gardens, Garden Stands, Community Gardens Allow in all commercial, mixeduse, and specific plan districts Home Occupations Allow anywhere within dwelling,
up to 25% of total floor area
Add market gardens and garden
stands
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Planning Commission Recommendation
Council adopt ordinance
Amendments:
Allow food trucks to operate for two
hours in a single location
Allow food trucks and carts to operate
until later of 11pm OR closing time of
other businesses on property
Stronger language to prohibit dumping
into storm drains
Clarify amplified music allowed with
permit
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Staff Recommendation
The Community Development
Department and the Planning
Commission recommend that the
City Council conduct a public
hearing and adopt an ordinance
amending Cotati Municipal Code
Title 17 (Land Use) and Chapter
9.36 (Conduct in Parks, Plazas,
Streets, Sidewalks, and Other
Places) to establish standards for
food and mobile businesses. 163 of 202
Questions?
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: PUBLIC HEARINGS (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE
TO REZONING MULTIPLE PARCELS TO THE TRANSIT
ORIENTED COMMUNITIES (TOC) AND SANTERO WAY (SW)
ZONING DISTRICTS AND MAKE ANY FURTHER NEEDED
REVISIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE TOC LAND USE
POLICIES.
Date: April 14, 2026
Written by: Noah Housh, Director of Community Development Recommendation
It is recommended the City Council introduce and conduct the first reading of an ordinance to rezone the specific parcels identified in the TOC and Santero Way Ordinance to the TOC and SW zoning districts and make other clarifying changes to the Cotati Municipal Code to finalize TOC policy compliance.
Background
Note: This item was continued from the regular City Council meeting on March 24, 2026.
In August 2001, the Santero Way Specific Plan (SWSP) was adopted, and originally envisioned a mixed-use office neighborhood adjacent to the SMART rail station. The primary objective of the original SWSP was to increase the number of residents and employees within walking distance (1/2 mile) of the SMART station. Specifically, the original Plan envisioned the development of 198 new dwelling units, 339,200 square-feet of office and institutional uses, 68,000 square-feet of retail uses, and 57,000 square feet of supporting parkland/open space.
On August 8, 2023, in response to stalled development within the Plan area, the City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with 4LEAF Inc. and several subconsultants to provide planning consulting services to complete the Santero Way Specific Plan Update.
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In September 2023, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) published draft administrative guidance on their TransitOriented Communities (TOC) policies. These policies are intended to intensify land uses within ½ mile of transit hubs with the primary goal of increasing the overall supply of housing while also supporting the creation of jobs and increasing transit ridership, in keeping with the Plan Bay Area 2050. For Cotati, this area primarily covers properties along East Cotati Avenue. These criteria essentially serve to increase residential and commercial densities, support alternative transportation, and reduce the perceived impediments to development. While adoption of the TOC policies is voluntary for Bay Area jurisdictions, TOC compliance by 2026 was initially touted as required to maintain eligibility for One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) funds, which have amounted to approximately $1,000,000 in annual funding for the City of Cotati in recent years.
In April 2024, staff identified a potential opportunity for the environmental analysis being prepared for the SWSP Update to be expanded to additionally analyze the potential impacts of implementing ABAG/MTC TOC policies on the other eligible parcels within the ½ mile radius surrounding the Cotati SMART station (graphic attached). Including this analysis in the environmental impact report (EIR) already underway was approved in order to provide significant cost savings, expedite the analysis, and prepare the City for future adoption of the TOC policies.
In February of 2025 the Santero Way Specific Plan (SWSP) was adopted after 18 months of public engagement, environmental analysis and policy development. One of the core themes of the SWSP is the focus on the neighborhood’s proximity to the SMART station and the benefits of intensified land uses around the train station. These themes are captured through a range of policy ideas often labeled Transit Oriented Development. As was discussed during the review of the Santero Way Specific Plan (SWSP), some of the policies adopted with the SWSP were influenced by the ABAG/MTC TOC policy, which comes from their regional planning tool to manage growth in the nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area, Plan Bay Area 2050+.
Plan Bay Area 2050+ is similar to a General Plan for a city or county but considers and plans for growth on a regional scale. ABAG/MTC identify goals and priorities to guide and manage Bay Area growth and use various methods to achieve compliance with the policies and programs, including allocation of grant funding such as the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG). In Cotati, OBAG provided significant funding for road infrastructure projects in recent years. For local jurisdictions seeking to comply with the Plan Bay Area, TOC has become one of the most impactful planning policies to come out of the 2050+ update process. This policy seeks to intensify land use in close proximity to transit stations and also standardize transit oriented development criteria throughout the Bay Area.
Because of the unique variety of jurisdictions and transit throughout the region, creation of the TOC policy implementation metrics has been an ongoing and iterative process spanning several years. Since the SWSP project was approved, implementation focus has moved from land use requirements within a ½ mile radius of the SMART station, to more broad policy requirements such as “The Three P’s of Housing”: Production, Preservation, and Protection; automotive and bicycle parking management; and efforts to facilitate circulation and station access. Required implementation of TOC policy is generally limited to the ½ mile radius around the transit stop 166 of 202
(see pg. 27 MTC TOC Policy Version 1.1 May 2025), however the nature of some of the policy requirements make limiting enforcement to this geographic area of the City challenging.
In May 2025 the ABAG/MTC TOC policy guidance document was finalized allowing Community Development department staff to pivot their TOC policy efforts to the remaining properties within the broader half-mile radius from the SMART station not within the SWSP boundary. Due to the unique geography of the City, this primarily encompassed properties on East Cotati Avenue, from La Salle Avenue east to the SWSP. While demonstrating compliance with TOC policy direction is important to grant infrastructure funding, taking a thoughtful and community-informed approach to the land use changes in this established area is also critical to the successful implementation of these policies.
On June 25, 2025, staff built upon the outreach and engagement efforts of the SWSP, inviting all residents and property owners within a 500-foot radius of the remaining TOC parcels to a neighborhood meeting at Cotati City Hall. Four people attended the meeting and several others called in to ask questions and voice their perspectives. Generally, interested individuals were supportive of the policy efforts to get more homes constructed and to generate more business activity, but were concerned about parking impacts that could result from these intensified business activities (given the inability of the City to require any parking minimums under the proposed policies).
On September 15, 2025, the Planning Commission considered the strategy and code changes proposed by staff to implement the TOC policy at a workshop. After receiving the staff report and presentation, the Commission discussed the proposed policy changes and voted unanimously to support the staff recommendation, making a few additional recommendations. Specifically, the Commission recommended that the City Council incorporate a micro-distillery land use into the CMC and ensure vintage clothing stores are permissible as a land use in the TOC area.
On September 23, 2025, the City Council received the Planning Commission recommendation regarding the strategy and code changes proposed by staff to implement TOC policy and make other proposed Cotati Municipal Code (CMC) revisions, also through a workshop format. After receiving the staff report and presentation, the Council similarly discussed the proposed policy changes and voted unanimously to support the staff recommendation, including the Commission recommendation to incorporate micro-distillery land use into the CMC and to ensure vintage clothing stores are a permissible land use in the TOC area.
On November 3, 2025, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider a draft ordinance to implement comprehensive set of code amendments to comply with the ABAG/MTC TOC policies as well as make some modifications to the CMC to resolve identified challenges and to implement policy direction received from the Planning Commission and City Council.
After considering the ordinance and receiving the public comment, the Commission voted 2-1 to recommend that the City Council introduce the ordinance. Additional details on the Planning Commission consideration are provided below.
On Dec. 9, 2025, the City Council held a public hearing to introduce and conduct the first reading of a draft ordinance to implement comprehensive set of code amendments to comply with the ABAG/MTC TOC policies as well as make some modifications to the CMC to resolve 167 of 202
identified challenges and to implement policy direction received from the Planning Commission and City Council. After considering the ordinance and receiving the public comment, the Commission voted 4-0 to introduce the ordinance and requested that staff review potential impacts to the Oliver’s Shopping Center property. Additional details on the City Council consideration are provided below.
On January 13, 2026, the City Council held a public hearing to consider the ordinance and receive the public comment on the final TOC ordinance;. After considering all factors, the Council directed staff to remove the unbundled parking policy and the 7.61 acre Oliver’s Shopping Center property from the proposed TOC zoning district. All other elements of the Ordinance were supported and the Council conducted the second reading approving the TOC Ordinance.
On February 25, 2026, the ABAG/MTC board met to consider changes to the TOC policy requirements as they relate to the One Bay Area Grant Funding. Additional details as to the vote and discussion are provided below.
On March 2, 2026, the Planning Commission reviewed the draft ordinance, voting unanimously (4-0-1) to recommend that the City Council support the draft ordinance.
Analysis/Discussion
Land Use and Planning Considerations
As identified, the City Council has approved the SWSP Update and introduced and adopted the Santero Way and TOC policy rezoning ordinance, both of which intensify commercial and residential land uses within a half-mile of the Cotati SMART Station. While many of the policy and zoning district changes were implemented with this past ordinance, the individual parcels to be rezoned to the newly created SW and TOC Districts were not identified as a part of the previous ordinance. The ordinance proposed with this effort will rezone the individual parcels to these updated Districts.
Separately, since the initial consideration of the SW/TOC Rezoning Ordinance, concerns from developer groups has been shared regarding changes to the City’s condominium conversion ordinance (CMC Section 17.34.030). The City’s current condominium conversion ordinance provides robust protection for tenants and significant requirements for proposed conversions, however the TOC compliance measures required by AGAB/MTC specify one-to-one unit replacement in most instances, which the current code language does not mandate.
Developer Concern-Preventing the (future) conversion of multi-family residential rental projects to for-sale condominiums could be problematic for financing of these projects. Developer input has indicated that lenders often see the potential for future conversion of multi-family housing rental units into for-sale condominiums as an opportunity to manage risk. If the lender has to foreclose on the development, the option of converting the individual units to condominiums is an opportunity to sell the units to individual residents if they cannot sell the larger project. 168 of 202
February 25, 2026, ABAG MTC Meeting
Contrary to the direction provided by MTC staff over the past two years, all jurisdictions in the Bay Area are now anticipated to qualify for OBAG grant funding regardless of their compliance with TOC policies. To maintain some incentive for jurisdictions to comply with TOC policies, the MTC Commission adopted a $45 million Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Incentive Program (MTC Resolution No. 4754) as part of OBAG 4 (MTC Resolution No. 4740). Their adopted resolution includes the TOC Evaluation Framework and Program Guidelines (details below).
TOC Incentive Program Structure
· Performance-based formula with minimum and maximum awards scaled by jurisdictions number of TOC areas and the jurisdiction population.
· Funds may be used for any project eligible for the OBAG 4 County Program, including planning and capital for roadway, transit, and active transportation projects.
Eligibility Threshold
· 85-point minimum jurisdiction-wide average score to be eligible for the TOC Incentive Program.
· Jurisdictions scoring below 85 points remain eligible for all other OBAG 4 county and regional funds.
Evaluation Framework Adjustments for OBAG 4
· Extended Deadline but No Work-in-Progress Credit: Extended to July 1, 2027; however, given the fully incentive-based structure and extended timeline, credit will not be provided for work-in-progress.
· SB 79 Density Credit: All TOC areas subject to SB 79 will receive full credit for the Maximum Allowable Residential Density standard. (Cotati is exempt from SB 79) Housing Protection Policies:
· Jurisdictions may receive credit for one TOC housing protection policy (4 points) through participation in a countywide protection program or a local policy/program. Credit for the second policy (4 points) must be based on a local policy/program. · Additionally, jurisdictions may not receive TOC credit for Protection Policy 2 (No Net Loss and Right of Return), given recent changes in state law.
MTC will publish revised TOC Administrative Guidance reflecting these actions and provide additional modifications to improve clarity, flexibility, and administrability. The Commission also directed staff to return this spring with proposed amendments to the TOC Policy (MTC Resolution No. 4530) to provide flexibility for certain transit extension projects and to further consider the long-term role of the TOC Policy at the start of the next OBAG cycle.
March 2, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting
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Due to the timing of the MTC meeting and the publication of the Commission agenda, staff presented the outcome of the MTC meeting verbally to the Planning Commission for their consideration at the March 2 meeting. Because OBAG grant funding is no longer being explicitly tied to TOC compliance, and because the timeline for compliance has been extended to July 1, 2027, Community Development staff recommended that the remaining steps needed to achieve TOC compliance be delayed until the finalized guidance has been received from MTC. This was originally considered to be finalizing the condominium conversion ordinance but could evolve to need additional policy revisions based on the finalized policy guidance from MTC and the City’s compliance score.
The Planning Commission agreed with a “wait and see” approach, given the moving nature to the compliance requirements, and voted unanimously (4-0-1) to recommend that the City Council introduce an ordinance to rezone all of the parcels identified to the Santero Way (SW) and Transit Oriented Communities (TOC), but to remove any other policy changes from the ordinance until the TOC compliance requirements are better documented by MTC. The ordinance has been updated to remove the previously proposed changes to the condominium conversion.
General Plan Consistency
These changes have been reviewed for compliance and consistency with the Cotati General Plan.
Including the Housing Element. Initial analysis has identified the following General Plan policies and actions as supporting the proposed changes to the municipal code and other policy implementation strategies:
GP Program 1-8: Residential Building Decarbonization: Continue to permit and encourage mixed uses and higher densities on in-fill and vacant sites in Priority Development Areas (PDAs) with public serving facilities, such as medical clinics, schools, and grocery stores, to discourage sprawl and encourage short vehicle trips and/or alternative forms of transportation.
Policy CON 2.1: Improve air quality through continuing to require a compact development pattern that focuses growth in and around existing urbanized areas, locating new housing near places of employment, encouraging alternative modes of transportation, and requiring projects to mitigate significant air quality impacts.
GP Policy CON 3.10: Ensure that the layout and design of new development and significant remodels encourages the use of transportation modes other than automobiles and trucks.
GP Policy LU 2.5: Locate medium and higher density housing within easy walking or bicycling distance of public facilities, services, transit, and major employers.
GP Policy LU 2.10: Encourage mixed-use, pedestrian-, and transit-oriented development, with a focus on the Hub and major corridors.
GP Policy LU 2.7: Encourage social interaction between neighbors in new residential 170 of 202
developments by providing opportunities for community gathering in common areas, parks, and neighborhood commercial centers.
Housing Element
Policy H-2.6 Encourage mixed use development, including residential and live/work uses in commercial and office areas where the viability of the nonresidential activities would not be adversely affected.
Policy H-2.11 Encourage housing development on existing infill sites in order to efficiently utilize existing infrastructure.
Program 4-1: Anti-Displacement Actions-The City shall take measures to reduce the risk of displacement through the City, especially in areas of increased investment and development, including:
Explore a Condominium Conversion ordinance to limit the loss of rental housing stock, with a goal of conserving 10 rental units that may otherwise be converted as reflected in the City’s Quantified Objectives.
Staff response: The proposed map and text amendments will help to further the established goals, policies, and implementation programs of the General Plan, including the Housing Element and Santero Way Specific Plan to reduce greenhouse gas production and improve air quality by providing additional opportunities for alternative transportation and walkability; maintaining the supply of developable land and expand housing opportunities through increased density and increased development certainty, including on infill sites along E. Cotati Avenue and Santero Way; directing that the layout and design of new development encourages social interaction among neighbors through the use of shared and alternative transportation; conserving resources by encouraging the efficient use of land and allowing more intense development of both residential and commercial land uses; and using land appropriately by increasing the intensity of development in close proximity to the train station and along one of the City’s primary commercial corridors. Further, this policy change directly implements Housing Element (HE) Program 4-1 Anti-Displacement Action at it would update the condominium conversion ordinance to limit the loss of rental housing stocks.
Financial Considerations
There are no identified direct impacts to the 2026/27 fiscal budget associated with the ordinance to rezone the SW and TOC parcels to their respective zoning districts. However, future TOC incentive grant funding could become available and staff will present options for compliance and funding opportunities for future fiscal years as they become available.
Environmental Issues
In keeping with CEQA Guidelines Section 15168(a), a Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) was prepared to analyze and evaluate the environmental impacts associated with the Santero Way Specific Plan Update and implementation of the Transit Oriented Communities 171 of 202
(TOC) zoning updates. In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15094(d), after the City Council approved adoption of the Specific Plan Update, the city filed a Notice of Determination with the County Clerk. Following adoption of the updated SWSP, proposed development projects that are consistent with the Specific Plan would undergo a streamlined CEQA review process. The proposal to adopt an ordinance implementing the TOC policies is seen as consistent with the EIR analysis and determination, as well as the environmental impact analysis of the Cotati General Plan EIR.
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ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI FINDING
THE PROPOSED SANTERO WAY AND TRANSIT ORIENTED COMMUNITIES
REZONING PROJECT CONSISTENT WITH THE SWSP EIR AND THE
GENERAL PLAN EIR AND NO FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED UNDER SECTION(S) 15092 AND 15183, AND REZONING APPROXIMALTEY 125 PARCELS TO THE SW AND TOC REZONING DISTRICT AND AMENDING TITLE 17 (LAND USE) OF THE COTATI MUNICIPAL CODE; FILE NO. PA26-07
WHEREAS, on March 24, 2015, the Cotati City Council adopted its updated General Plan (Resolution No. 2015-12), which identifies the City’s vision for the future and provides a framework to guide decisions on growth and development consistent with the quality of life desired by Cotati citizens. On March 24, 2015, the Cotati City Council also certified the City of Cotati General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which reviewed potentially significant environmental effects resulting from the plan’s implementation and developed measures and policies to mitigate those impacts to less-than-significant levels; and WHEREAS, on May 24, 2023, the Cotati City Council adopted the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update to the General Plan (“Housing Element”), which includes goals and policies related to housing, including establishment of objective design standards for multifamily plex and single-family housing, and facilitation of increased housing development; and WHEREAS, as described in the Housing Element, Cotati’s population increased 4.4% between 2010 and 2020, compared to the population of Sonoma County as a whole, which increased only 1% between 2010 and 2020, and this growth may increase housing demand in Cotati; and
WHEREAS, in September 2023, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) published draft administrative guidance on their Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) policies. These policies are intended to intensify land uses within one half-mile of transit hubs with the primary goal of increasing the overall supply of housing while also supporting the creation of jobs and increasing transit ridership, in keeping with the Plan Bay Area 2050. While adoption of the TOC policies is voluntary for Bay Area jurisdictions, TOC compliance will be required to retain full eligibility for One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) funds by 2026, and
WHEREAS, on November 6, 2023, the City of Cotati held a public scoping meeting as the first step in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process once a determination has been made that an environmental impact report (EIR) is required for a 173 of 202
project. Per CEQA Guidelines § 15082 and 15083, a Notice of Preparation was circulated for a 30-day period ending on November 22, 2023, and the scoping meeting was held to solicit comments on the scope of the EIR. This meeting was an opportunity for the public, agencies, and stakeholders to comment on the specific issues that should be addressed in the environmental review. Individuals who were unable to attend the scoping meeting were invited to email or mail their comments to the Community Development Department, and WHEREAS, on April 2024, staff identified an opportunity for the environmental analysis being prepared for the Santero Way Specific Plan (SWSP) Update to be expanded to additionally analyze the potential impacts of implementing ABAG/MTC TOC policies on the other eligible parcels within the ½ mile radius surrounding the Cotati SMART station.
Including this analysis into the environmental impact report (EIR) already underway was approved by the City Council, and
WHEREAS, on July 19, 2024, the City of Cotati issued a second Notice of Preparation to identify that the scope of the environmental impact analysis was being expanded to analyze the potential impacts of full TOC implementation in Cotati; and WHEREAS, on August 5, 2024, the Planning Commission held a public workshop and second CEQA scoping meeting to assess new project alternatives and policy options resulting from the April decision to expand the scope of the project environmental analysis; and WHEREAS, on November 1, 2024, a Public Review Draft Specific Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) were made available for public comment for a 45-day period, as is required by State law. Only one comment was received during this comment period which came from CalTrans; and
WHEREAS, one purpose of the Cotati Municipal Code (CMC) is to ensure that the General Plan, including the Housing Element, may be implemented and another purpose is to codify which land uses are allowed in all zoning districts of the City wh il e a ls o setting the standards for said land uses in order to preserve the quality of life in Cotati; and WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of California has in Government Code Sections 65302, 65560, and 65800 conferred upon local governments the authority to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of its citizenry; and WHEREAS, on September 15, 2025, the Planning Commission of the City of Cotati and on September 24, 2025, the City Council of the City of Cotati each held workshops to review and discuss the Santero Way and TOC Rezoning project, heard public comment, and provided direction to staff to develop a draft ordinance to amend CMC Title 17 (Land Use Code) to implement the project; and
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WHEREAS, on November 3, 2025, the Planning Commission of the City of Cotati held a duly noticed public hearing to review the proposed ordinance adopting amendments to create the Santero Way and Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) zoning districts, as well as implement other TOC related policies. After receiving the staff report, reviewing a presentation from the Planning Division, and considering all oral and written comments submitted to the City regarding the Ordinance, the Planning Commission voted to approve a resolution recommending City Council adoption of the proposed ordinance; and WHEREAS, on December 9, 2025, the City Council of the City of Cotati held a duly noticed public hearing to introduce the proposed ordinance adopting amendments to create the Santero Way (SW) and Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) zoning districts, rezone multiple properties to said districts, as well as implement other TOC related policies and make minor clean up changes to the CMC. After receiving the staff report, reviewing a presentation from the Planning Division, and considering all oral and written comments submitted to the City regarding the Ordinance, the City Council voted to conduct the first reading and introduce the ordinance; and.
WHEREAS, on January 13, 2026, the City Council of the City of Cotati held a second duly noticed public hearing on the proposed ordinance to create the Santero Way (SW) and Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) zoning districts, rezone multiple properties to said districts, implement several other TOC related policies and to make minor clean up changes to the CMC. After receiving the staff report, reviewing a presentation from the Planning Division, and considering all oral and written comments submitted to the City regarding the Ordinance, the City Council voted to conduct the second reading and adopt the ordinance; and WHEREAS, on March 2, 2026, the Planning Commission of the City of Cotati held a duly noticed public hearing on the proposed ordinance to rezone the specific parcels to the Santero Way (SW) and Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) zoning districts and modify the CMC to implement several TOC related policies. After receiving the staff report, reviewing a presentation from the Planning Division, and considering all oral and written comments submitted to the City regarding the Ordinance, the Commission voted to approve a resolution recommending City Council adoption of the proposed ordinance; and WHEREAS, on April 14, 2026, the Council of the City of Cotati held a duly noticed public hearing to introduce an ordinance to rezone all of the TOC and SW parcels identified to their respective zoning districts and make further minor modifications to the Cotati Municipal Code to finalize implementation of the TOC policies. After receiving the staff report, reviewing a presentation from the Planning Division, and considering all oral and written comments submitted to the City regarding the Ordinance, the City Council voted to conduct the first reading and introduce the ordinance; and
WHEREAS, on _________, the City Council of the City of Cotati held a second duly noticed public hearing on the proposed ordinance to rezone the specific parcels to the Santero Way (SW) and Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) zoning districts and modify the CMC to implement several TOC related policies. After receiving the staff report, reviewing a 175 of 202
presentation from the Planning Division, and considering all oral and written comments submitted to the City regarding the Ordinance, the City Council voted to conduct the second reading and adopt the ordinance.
NOW THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: Recitals.
The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated into the findings herein.
SECTION 2: Record
The Record of Proceedings (“Record”) upon which the City Council makes its decision includes, but is not limited to: 1) the 2015 General Plan, 2) the FEIR certified for the 2015 General Plan, 3) the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update adopted by the City Council in 2023 and the associated Mitigated Negative Declaration, 4) the 2025 Santero Way Specific Plan (SWSP) Update and the associated Environmental Impact Report (EIR) analyzing the potential impacts of the SWSP Update and 5) all staff reports, City files and records, and other documents prepared for and/or submitted to the City Council related to adoption of the amendments to Title 17 (Land Use) of the Cotati Municipal Code to establish the Santero Way (SW) and Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) zoning districts and implement other identified changes to the Cotati Municipal Code to facilitate housing development and clarify existing policies.
SECTION 3: General Plan Consistency
The Council of the City of Cotati does hereby find that the amendments to Title 17 (Land Use) of the Cotati Municipal Code to rezone the specific parcels to the Santero Way (SW) and Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) zoning districts and modify the CMC to implement several TOC related policies to facilitate housing development, as set forth in this Ordinance, are in the best interest of the City in that they will further established goals, policies, and implementation programs of the General Plan, including the Housing Element and Santero Way Specific Plan to reduce greenhouse gas production and improve air quality by providing additional opportunities for alternative transportation and walkability; will maintain the supply of developable land and expand housing opportunities through increased density and increased development certainty, including on infill sites along E. Cotati Avenue and Santero Way; will direct that the layout and design of new development encourages the use of alternative transportation; will conserve resources by encouraging the efficient use of land and allowing more intense development of both residential and commercial land uses; and use land appropriately by increasing the intensity of development in close proximity to the train station and along one of the City’s primary commercial corridors.
Specifically, these amendments are consistent with and implement the following 176 of 202
Housing Element and General Plan policies and programs:
Program 1-8: Residential Building Decarbonization: Continue to permit and encourage mixed uses and higher densities on in-fill and vacant sites in Priority Development Areas (PDAs) with public serving facilities, such as medical clinics, schools, and grocery stores, to discourage sprawl and encourage short vehicle trips and/or alternative forms of transportation.
Policy H-2.3 While the City is able to accommodate its share of the regional housing need without rezoning during the current Housing Element period, to the extent necessary, the City will consider land use re-designation and promotion of existing innovations like the Cottage Housing Ordinance in order to accommodate development capacity that affirm all other goals of the City’s General Plan and maintain Cotati’s rural character.
Policy H-2.6 Encourage mixed use development, including residential and live/work uses in commercial and office areas where the viability of the nonresidential activities would not be adversely affected.
Policy H-2.11 Encourage housing development on existing infill sites in order to efficiently utilize existing infrastructure.
In addition, these amendments are consistent with and implement the following General Plan policies and programs:
Policy CON 2.1: Improve air quality through continuing to require a compact development pattern that focuses growth in and around existing urbanized areas, locating new housing near places of employment, encouraging alternative modes of transportation, and requiring projects to mitigate significant air quality impacts.
Policy CON 3.10: Ensure that the layout and design of new development and significant remodels encourages the use of transportation modes other than automobiles and trucks.
Policy LU 1.1: Maintain a supply of developable mixed-use, commercial, industrial, and residential lands sufficient to meet desired growth and economic needs over the planning period.
Policy LU 2.5: Locate medium and higher density housing within easy walking or bicycling distance of public facilities, services, transit, and major employers.
Policy LU 2.10: Encourage mixed-use, pedestrian-, and transit-oriented development, with a focus on the Hub and major corridors.
SECTION 4: Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
The Council of the City of Cotati does hereby find that this Ordinance to amend Title 17 (Land Use) of the Cotati Municipal Code to rezone the specific parcels to the Santero Way (SW) and Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) zoning districts and modify the CMC to implement several TOC related policies to facilitate housing development.is consistent with 177 of 202
the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as the impacts of this Ordinance have been analyzed in the Santero Way Specific Plan EIR (SCH#2023100654) and further the proposed CMC changes are consistent with the program Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH# 2013082037) for the Cotati General Plan Update that was certified on March 24, 2015 (Resolution Number 2015-11) and the Mitigated Negative Declaration certified for the 2023-2031 Housing Element (SCH # 2013082037) adopted and certified on June 2, 2023; that this Ordinance is consistent with and implements the City’s adopted General Plan, including the 2023-2031 Housing Element and Santero Way Specific Plan Update, and no new environmental impacts peculiar to the project site(s) have been realized or identified, therefore no additional environmental analysis is required under CEQA, including Section 15183, and therefore pursuant to Section 15168 of the CEQA Guidelines, as such no further environmental review is required.
SECTION 5: Rezoning of Certain Parcels and Amendment to the Cotati Zoning Map.
The zoning map of the City of Cotati is amended to rezone approximately 26 parcels from the Santero Way (SW), Commercial, E. Cotati Corridor (CE), and Neighborhood Low Density (NL) zoning districts to the Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) and Open SpaceRecreation (OSR) zoning districts and to reaffirm the prior rezoning to the Santero Way (SW) zoning district for the remaining 99 parcels as identified in the attached Exhibit A, which identifies all parcels included in and affected by the Santero Way and Transit Oriented Communities rezoning efforts.
SECTION 6: Construction and severability.
It is the intent of the City Council of the City of Cotati to supplement applicable state and federal law and not to duplicate or contradict such law, and this Ordinance shall be construed consistently with that intent. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance, or its application to any person or circumstance, is for any reason held to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases of this Ordinance, or its application to any other person or circumstance. The City Council of the City of Cotati hereby declares that it would have adopted each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases hereof be declared invalid or unenforceable.
SECTION 7: Effective date.
This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption pursuant to the California Government Code.
SECTION 8: Publication. The city clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be published and/or posted as required in Section 36933 of the California Government Code. 178 of 202
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the foregoing Ordinance was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cotati held on ___________, by the following vote, to wit:
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Approved:
Mayor
Attest:
Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
City Attorney
This document is a true and correct copy of Ordinance Number ### and has been published or posted pursuant to law. California Government Code § 40806 Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
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Parcel Number Parcel Address Parcel City Parcel Zip Proposed Zoning Existing Zoning 144-770-004 6311 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-014 6581 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-026 6769 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-031 6919 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-032 6921 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-035 6927 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-037 6939 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-039 6935 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-044 7010 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-058 6587 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-064 6915 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-072 0 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-003 6309 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-008 6323 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-005 6313 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-006 6327 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-073 0 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-790-004 7052 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-018 6593 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-021 6747 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-790-006 7048 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-790-010 7040 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-024 6753 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-025 6755 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-790-012 7036 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-790-015 7044 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-790-COM 0 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-029 6763 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-030 6761 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-036 6941 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-048 6694 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-054 6317 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-063 6917 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-068 7002 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-070 6686 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-007 6325 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-009 6321 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-010 6319 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-013 6579 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-015 6583 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-016 6597 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-017 6595 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-019 6591 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
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144-770-022 6749 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-033 6923 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-038 6937 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-040 6933 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-790-001 7062 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-790-003 7054 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-043 7008 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-045 7012 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-790-007 7056 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-790-008 7058 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-046 6698 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-047 6696 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-049 6692 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-051 6303 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-052 6301 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-060 6743 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-065 6929 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-066 6931 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-067 7000 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-069 6688 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-071 0 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 OSR SW
144-790-005 7050 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-790-009 7060 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-790-013 7034 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-001 6305 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-002 6307 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-011 6575 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-012 6577 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-020 6589 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-023 6751 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-027 6767 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-028 6765 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-034 6925 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-041 7004 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-042 7006 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-050 6690 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-053 6315 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-055 6573 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-056 6571 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-057 6585 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-059 6745 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-061 6757 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-062 6759 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-770-074 0 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
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144-790-002 7018 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-790-011 7038 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-320-036 0 NONE COTATI 94931 TOC SW
144-790-014 7042 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-302-049 924 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-480-014 8360 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-480-008 8354 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-480-017 0 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-480-019 0 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-480-015 0 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-480-016 8364 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-790-016 7046 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 SW SW
144-570-COM ROW TOC CE
144-570-001 475 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 TOC CE
144-720-029 501 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 TOC CE
144-720-040 525 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 TOC CE
144-301-010 905 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 TOC CE
144-302-050 766 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 TOC CE
144-302-022 768 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 TOC CE
144-292-024 680 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 TOC CE
144-292-023 640 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 TOC CE
144-320-033 0 NONE COTATI 94931 TOC SW
144-320-034 0 NONE COTATI 94931 TOC SW
144-320-035 0 NONE COTATI 94931 TOC SW
144-480-022 0 NONE COTATI 94931 TOC SW
144-320-029 0 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 TOC SW
144-320-026 0 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 TOC SW
144-320-025 970 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 TOC SW
144-320-033 0 NONE COTATI 94931 TOC SW
144-302-048 0 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 TOC SW
144-480-021 0 SANTERO WAY COTATI 94931 TOC SW
144-302-047 930 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 TOC SW
144-320-027 970 Santero Way COTATI 94931 TOC SW
144-301-008 955 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 TOC CE
144-310-006 1015 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 TOC CE
144-320-008 982 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 TOC SW
144-320-012 1038 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 TOC NL
144-720-062 0 E COTATI AVE COTATI 94931 NM CE
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SW and TOC Rezoning Map
Transit Oriented
Communities (TOC)
Santero Way
(SW)
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City of Cotati
City Council
Noah Housh
Community Development
Department
March 24, 2026
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Project Description
Introduction and first reading of an ordinance to
rezone the specific parcels in the TOC region
and Santero Way Specific Plan to the TOC and
SW zoning districts and make other clarifying
changes to the Cotati Municipal Code to finalize
TOC policy compliance.
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Background Summary
In August 2023 City initiated SWSP
Update.
September 2023 MTC issued first TOC
Policy Guidance
April 2024, City expanded the SWSP
CEQA analysis to include all TOC eligible
parcels.
January 13, 2026, City Council adopted
SWSP and TOC Rezoning Ordinance
February 25, 2026, MTC voted to
separate TOC compliance from OBAG
Funding but authorized an incentive
package of 45 million for TOC
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Proposed Land Use
Changes
• Identify all parcels proposed
for rezoning by address,
current zone and proposed
zone
• PC Recommended to remove
Condominium Conversion
TOC Preservation Policy &
Response to Developer
Concerns
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SW and TOC Rezoning
Transit Oriented
Communities (TOC)
Santero Way
(SW)
7.61 ac
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Condominium Conversion
• TOC Policy Requires 1:1 replacement of
apartment converted to condos
• Developer Input: Lenders prioritize
flexibility in recovering lost fundsconversion to “for sale” valuable option • Staff Proposal: Apply 1:1 replacement to
existing homes. May only receive “partial
compliance” for policy.
• PC Recommendation: Leave Existing
Code = Significant protections. Likely to
receive 4 points (of 8 total available) for
partial compliance.
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TOC Compliance Scoring Overview
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MTC Update
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MTC Update Continued
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TOC Compliance Scoring Portal-Density
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Recommendation
It is recommended by the Planning Commission
that the City Council introduce and conduct the
first reading of an ordinance to implement the
proposed zoning map changes to finalize
implementation the Transit Oriented Communities
(TOC) Policy, and delay additional changes to
pursue full compliance until the current
compliance score is provided by MTC.
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Questions?
Noah Housh
[email protected]
https://www.cotaticity.gov/1535/San
tero-Way-Specific-Plan-Update
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: RESOLUTION TO PROTECT COMMUNITY SAFETY IN THE
EVENT OF A SIGNIFICANT IMMIGRATION ACTION
Date: April 14, 2026
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution that restates our values and implements measures to protect the rights of immigrants and the safety of all members of our community in the event of a significant federal immigration action.
Background
At the City Council meeting on March 24, 2026, the City Council and the Community Police Advisory Committee held a joint meeting to discuss potential options to prepare for the possibility of significant immigration actions that could disrupt and potentially endanger the community. This included a review and discussion of the various actions taken in other states, as well as actions taken regionally here in California and finally locally, within Sonoma County.
Analysis/Discussion
After discussing the various options, the City Council and Community Police Advisory Committee directed staff to bring forward a resolution, similar to the action taken by the County of Sonoma, that restates our values, the existing immigrant protections in California and provides additional measures to protect our community that are feasible within the context of the limited resources of a small city. To further this, the resolution also directs engagement with the County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) to determine how to best collaborate in the event of a significant immigration action. As discussed during the March 24, 2026 joint meeting, DEM has not yet completed the associated Concept of Operations (CONOP), so staff will continue to coordinate with DEM to integrate this scenario into our disaster planning.
The proposed resolution also incorporates specific elements discussed by the City Council and 196 of 202
Community Police Advisory Committee at the joint meeting. These include:
• Concerns about federal immigration searches without valid warrants. • Ensuring police response to emergency calls about potential immigration actions. • Collection and documentation of information that could potentially be used later for legal proceedings.
• Finding referring to immigrant resources, linked from the City website.
Lastly, the resolution includes references to the various non-governmental organizations in Sonoma County that are addressing immigrant legal protection as well as other wrap around services, all of which are available on the City website.
Financial Considerations
The costs to implement the resolution will depend on the actions (or non-actions) of the federal government. If there are no significant immigration actions in Cotati, the cost to implement the resolution will be negligible. If there are significant immigration actions in Cotati, it could result in significant, currently unquantifiable amounts of overtime for police staff and potentially other hourly City staff. If the City were to take civil legal action against the federal government, depending on the nature of the action and number of other agencies involved, it could also result in significant costs. However, any civil action would need to be authorized by the City Council at that time.
It is estimated that the coordination and planning for joint response with the County DEM will likely take about 40 hours of staff time, which would be initiated once the draft CONOP is completed.
Environmental Issues
Where it can be determined with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA review.
This general rule can be applied to activities which could be subject to the CEQA process, but which logic dictates should not be subject to CEQA review. Therefore, based on the information provided above, the proposed resolution is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 14.03.021 of the CEQA Guidelines in that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant impact on the environment.
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RESOLUTION NO. (XX)
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI TO UPHOLD THE
CIVIL RIGHTS, DIGNITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR IMMIGRANT
POPULATION AND ALL SONOMA COUNTY RESIDENTS
WHEREAS, Sonoma County is home to persons of diverse racial, ethnic, and national backgrounds, including a large immigrant population as noted in the Portrait of Sonoma County; and
WHEREAS, all immigrant residents, whether they are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, undocumented residents, refugees, or residents with any other immigration status, are valued and integral members of our social, cultural, and economic fabric; and WHEREAS, the national rhetoric regarding immigration has resulted in concerns and uncertainty among many, including but not limited to immigrants, vulnerable residents, and families in our community, across our State, and across our nation; and WHEREAS, the City of Cotati (City) endeavors to safeguard public health and safety, which relies on trust and cooperation between all residents and local law enforcement, which requires our police department to actively work to foster trust with immigrant communities; and WHEREAS, the City Council has a long-standing goal to “Promote an equitable, compassionate, and healthy community that honors diversity as a source of strength”, which is integral to all of our actions as a City; and
WHEREAS, the statewide TRUST Act (AB 4) California Trust Act limits the circumstances under which local law enforcement can detain individuals on behalf of federal immigration authorities; and
WHEREAS, the statewide TRUTH Act (AB 2792) California Truth Act ensures transparency and oversight regarding local law enforcement’s communication with federal immigration authorities; and
WHEREAS, the statewide VALUES Act (SB 54) California Values Act limits the circumstances under which local law enforcement may use funds or personnel to support immigration enforcement, including preventing the police from asking about an individual’s immigration status, from sharing a person’s personal information with immigration authorities, unless otherwise required or permitted by law, or from arresting anyone only for having a deportation removal order or for most other immigration violations; and WHEREAS, the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, as upheld by the U.S.
Supreme Court in Printz v. United States, 521 U.S. 898 (1997), protects local jurisdictions from being compelled to enforce federal regulatory programs, including federal immigration laws, under the "anti-commandeering" doctrine; and
WHEREAS, the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, as upheld by the Ninth Circuit in United States v. California, 921 F.3d 865 (9th Cir. 2019), affirms that states, such as 198 of 202
California, have the sovereign right to decide whether to participate in federal enforcement efforts and reinforcing the constitutional principle of the anti-commandeering doctrine; and WHEREAS, the California Education Code prohibits schools from adopting policies or practices and discriminate against or hinder access to school services based on immigration status, and restricts schools from collecting or sharing information about immigration status; and WHEREAS, non-governmental organizations, such as the Secure Families Collaborative, have been coordinating immigrant services throughout Sonoma County by working with a variety of partners under a social services grant from the County of Sonoma, including legal defense services through the USF Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic (Healdsburg), Sonoma Immigrant Services (Sonoma), Legal Aid of Sonoma County (Santa Rosa), The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (Petaluma) and Queer Asylum Accompaniment (Sebastopol) as well as wrap around social services provided by Catholic Charities; and
WHEREAS, in a letter to the community in November 2024, the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chiefs Association reaffirmed local police and sheriff’s commitment to the abovementioned state laws, and acknowledged that “participating in federal immigration enforcement undermines the trust and cooperation necessary for effecting policing” in our community; and WHEREAS, the City Council wants all residents of Cotati to know that interacting with local government, whether to access benefits, report a crime, file a legal document or any of the countless other ways a resident and government come together, should not put any resident at risk, regardless of immigration status; and
WHEREAS, to effectively serve and protect our community, the City responds to all police emergency calls for service as personnel resources allow, regardless of federal, state or other local law enforcement activities occurring in the City; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to declare that the City is a safe place for everyone, including, but not limited to, immigrants from all countries, people of color, people of all religions, gender identity, sexual orientation, people with disabilities and all vulnerable communities.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Cotati that:
1. The statewide laws summarized in the above recitals have been enacted as a deliberate declaration that California recognizes and values the contributions of immigrants in our communities, and through these laws, we decline to participate in federal efforts to enforce immigration laws in our communities.
2. City staff shall closely protect the personal information of our residents, whether that information is collected by our police department, through our water and sewer accounts, or other situations in which sensitive information is stored and shall only release it as required by law or a lawful order of a court; and
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3. Unless required by state or federal law, all City departments, officers, agents, representatives, and employees are prohibited from using City resources, property, personnel, time, labor, or funds to:
a. Investigate, interrogate, detain, detect, or arrest persons only or primarily for immigration enforcement purposes, (as defined in California Government Code§ 7284.4(f)); or
b. Communicate with federal immigration officials regarding an individual’s immigration status (as defined in California Government Code §7284.4(f)), except as required by 8 U.S.C. §1373 or other federal law.
4. The City Manager shall convey to all City Staff the prohibition on using City resources, property, personnel, time, labor, funds or sharing personal information of residents for immigration enforcement, except as required by law or a lawful order of a judge.
5. To the degree possible, considering the safety of our officers and other community members, as well as other competing emergency calls for service, our police officers shall endeavor to be on-site for any significant immigration enforcement actions to attempt to identify on-scene federal supervisors, observe and record the operation, and intervene to prevent any excessive use of force by officers that is clearly beyond what is necessary or objectively reasonable, in compliance with Assembly Bill 26.
6. The City shall maintain its webpage on Immigration Frequently Asked Questions, including but not limited to the existing legislative measures in place protecting individuals against the cooperation between state and local government officials and federal immigration enforcement, resources for immigrant communities including legal resources, the Secure Families Collaborative, and the Public Defender’s office.
7. The City Manager shall work with the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management to coordinate City emergency planning with the Local Immigration Enforcement Impact Concept of Operations (CONOPS) as well as other operational area planning in the event of a significant immigration enforcement action in Sonoma County.
8. The City Council reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the civil rights of all our residents.
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cotati held on April 14, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
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Approved:___________________________
Mayor
Attest:______________________________
Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
Approved as to form:______________________________
City Attorney
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: INFORMATION RECEIVED AFTER THE AGENDA WAS POSTED To: City Council
Subject: INFORMATION RECEIVED AFTER THE AGENDA WAS POSTED Date: April 14, 2026
Written by: Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
Recommendation
Information or written comments pertaining to this meeting, and which was received after the agenda was posted, is attached below.
Pursuant to City Council Policy 2025-03: City Council Rules section IV A., written Communications, interested persons or their authorized representative may address the Council by written communication on any matters concerning the City’s business, or any matters over which the Council has control.
1. To be considered for inclusion in the agenda packet, such written communication shall be delivered to the City Clerk no later than 11:00 a.m. of the Wednesday the week preceding the regular Council meeting for which such written communication is intended.
2. If received after the above date and time, but no later than noon the day before the meeting, written communications received by the City Clerk shall be posted on the website by the end of that day and notification provided to the electronic Agenda mailing list by the end of the day. All written communications received by the City Clerk by 5 pm on the City Council meeting day shall be made available to the City Council and public at the City Council meeting.
City Council Policy 2025-03 is available at the online meeting portal at www.cotaticity.gov or by request from the City Clerk at 707-665-3622 or [email protected]. 202 of 202