The City of Sonoma is Sonoma Valley’s only incorporated area. Residents outside the city limits are governed by the County of Sonoma, with administrative offices in Santa Rosa. The Valley as a whole falls under a number of state and federal jurisdictions: the 2nd and 3rd State Senate Districts, the 6th and 7th State Assembly Districts, and the 1st and 6th U.S. Congressional Districts.
Sonoma City Council
The City of Sonoma operates under the council/manager form of governance. The City Council is the elected body that oversees all municipal operations, and the city manager acts on its decisions. The City Council provides policy leadership and acts as the legislative arm of city government. The five members of the City Council are elected as non-partisans to overlapping four-year terms, ensuring that council members with experience guide the city at all times. There are no term limits. Council members also serve as the board of directors of the Community Development Agency and participate in regional activities.
Public meetings are conducted at the City Council chambers on the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month and are presided over by the mayor, who is elected each December by a council vote. Agendas are typically available the preceding Friday at City Hall. The City Council also relies on input from six advisory bodies: the Planning Commission (meets first and third Wednesdays); the Community Services and Environment Commission (second Wednesdays); the Architectural Review Commission (third Thursdays); the Mobile Home Park Rental Review Board (as needed); the Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Commission (fourth Wednesdays); and the Cultural and Fine Arts Commission (fourth Thursdays).
City of Sonoma
No. 1, The Plaza
Sonoma, CA 95476
Phone: 707-938-3743
Fax: 707-938-8775
www.sonomacity.org
cityhall@sonomacity.org
177 First Street West
Sonoma, CA 95476
Phone: 707-938-3743
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
The $400 million Sonoma County government is led by the five-member Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Each supervisor represents a district of the county and serves a four-year term, with no term limits. Sonoma Valley comprises the largest portion of District 1, which also includes Rincon Valley near Santa Rosa. Supervisors are responsible for policy and planning decisions and oversee special jurisdictions such as the Sonoma County Water Agency, the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, and the County Sanitation Districts. Board meetings convene on Tuesdays starting at 8:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day.
- Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
575 Administrative Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: 707-565-2241
www.sonoma-county.org/board - Valerie Brown (D)
Supervisor District 1
575 Administration Drive, Room 1
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: 707-565-2241
Fax: 707-565-3778
vbrown@sonoma-county.org - Mike Kerns, Supervisor District 2
- Tim Smith, Supervisor District 3
- Paul Kelley, Supervisor District 4
- Shirley Zane, Supervisor District 5
California State Legislature
