Gas Station Land Use
Regulations
January 13, 2026
Planning and Economic Development Jessica Jones, Deputy Director-Planning • 1/14/2020: Council adopted a resolution declaring a climate emergency and elevating climate issues to the highest priority in its goal setting. • 9/13/2021: RCPA adopted a resolution recommending ceasing all construction of new gas station infrastructure in Sonoma County.
• 9/13/2022: Council adopted an ordinance amending the Zoning Code to prohibit new gas stations and expansion of existing gas stations. • 6/3/2025: Council moved to add a future agenda item to discuss potential changes to the Zoning Code addressing gas station modifications. 1Background
2Comparison Jurisdictions
Other Comparison Jurisdictions
Agency Prohibits New Gas
Stations?
Allows Expansion /
Relocation of
existing?
City of San Mateo No Yes
City of Fremont No Yes
City of Hayward No Yes
City of Richmond No Yes
City of Livermore No Yes
City of Concord No Yes
City of Antioch No Yes
City of Fairfield No Yes
City of Vacaville No Yes
City of Vallejo No Yes
City of San Francisco No Yes
City of Sacramento No Yes
City of Los Angeles No Yes
Sonoma County Jurisdictions
Agency Prohibits New Gas
Stations?
Allows Expansion /
Relocation of
Existing?
City of Cloverdale No Yes
City of Cotati Yes No
City of Healdsburg No Yes
City of Petaluma Yes No
City of Rohnert Park Yes No
City of Santa Rosa Yes No
City of Sebastopol Yes No
City of Sonoma No Yes
Town of Windsor Yes No
County of Sonoma Yes No
• Northwest SR: 13 stations
• Northeast SR: 16 stations
• Southwest SR: 7 stations (+ 1
approved)
• Southeast SR: 8 stations
3Existing Gas Stations
4 Approved Gas Stations 1996 - 2025
2200 Mendocino Ave: Safeway Gas
Approved: 1996
* Replaced previous gas station
1990 Santa Rosa Ave: Costco Gas
Approved: 1997
Expanded: 2014 (added 3 pumps)
* New gas station
1100 Bennett Valley Rd: Chevron
Approved: 1997
* Replaced previous gas station
1300 Farmers Ln: Chevron
Approved: 2012
* Replaced previous gas station
255 Dutton Ave: Shell
Approved: 2018
* Replaced previous gas station on site
874 N. Wright Rd: Elm Tree Station
Approved: 2025
* New gas station – pending construction
5 Sonoma County EV Sales 2021-2025
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
6 Gas Station Visit Data 2021-2025
Total Santa Rosa Gas Station Visits:
• 2021: 11,401,595
• 2022: 13,016,435
• 2023: 13,161,223
• 2024: 13,088,377
• 2025: 12,833,342
7 Prior Gas Station Regulations
• Gas stations allowed, with a CUP , in all commercial zoning districts (except Core Mixed Use) and Light and Heavy industrial districts.
• Specific regulations for gas stations included:
Requiring a minimum lot area and dimensions.
Prohibiting new gas stations adjacent to residential zoning districts or uses. Requiring a minimum of 500 feet between gas stations, unless they were within 150 feet of Hwy 101 and Freeway 12 intersections. 8 Current Gas Station Regulations
• New gas stations are prohibited in all zoning districts. • Zoning Code Section 20-61.020(E), Gas Station Modifications:
Cannot be enlarged, extended, reconstructed, or moved to a different portion of the lot, except as noted below or as required by law, or approved by CUPA. A Minor Use Permit is required for any modifications to existing stations:
To improve air, soil, groundwater, and stormwater quality. To improve traffic safety.
To enable battery charging stations.
9 Options
a. No changes to the existing Zoning Code regulations.
b. Revert to prior Zoning Code regulations.
c. Amend existing gas station regulations:
• Allow expansion of existing stations – may include limitations on number of pumps, requirements for mitigation measures, and/or other requirements. • Allow relocation of existing gas stations – may include limitations on locations, requirements for mitigation measures and remediation, and/or other requirements.
10 Options - Impacts
• If Council moves forward with Options ‘b’ or ‘c’, or if an outside party applies for a change:
May impact existing work items – other projects may be delayed, depending on priorities. May require budget allocation for consultant services. Timeline if prioritized: likely 6-12 months, depending on environmental review. GHG Reduction Strategy does not evaluate the impact of the current regulations. Likely would not affect or require a change to the analysis of the General Plan EIR. Actual construction activities would be subject to project-level environmental review, but likely would not have issues with compliance with GHG Reduction Strategy.
Recommendation 11
The Planning and Economic Development Department recommends that the Council hold a study session and provide direction to staff related to the current gas station land use regulations.
Questions?