Thinking about building in Kenwood near those beautiful oak-studded hillsides? The setting is extraordinary, and so are the rules that protect it. If you plan early, you can respect the land, stay compliant, and keep your project on track. This guide gives you a clear permit roadmap for oak woodlands in unincorporated Sonoma County so you can budget time and costs with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Know the rules in Kenwood
Sonoma County regulates oak trees and oak woodlands through the Tree Protection Ordinance and several overlay zones. The most common are the Oak Woodland Combining District (OAK), the Valley Oak Habitat overlay (VOH), and the Riparian Corridor overlay near streams. When more than one overlay applies, the most protective standard governs. Review Sonoma County’s overview of tree and oak rules to understand how they may apply to your parcel.
- Learn the county framework: see the county’s summary of the Tree Protection Ordinance and oak overlays for protected species, size thresholds, and permit triggers. Tree and oak rules overview.
Permits you may need
Oak Zoning Permit (one-time, up to 0.5 acre)
If your parcel is mapped in the OAK overlay, you may qualify for a one-time zoning permit that allows up to 0.5 acre of oak woodland conversion. You will need field mapping of the oak boundary, a biotic assessment, and a site plan with erosion controls. Check the county’s application checklist for submittal items and timing. Oak Zoning Permit requirements.
Oak Use Permit (over 0.5 acre or second conversion)
Converting more than 0.5 acre of oak woodland, or any conversion after you have used the one-time allowance, requires a discretionary Use Permit. This adds public notice, hearing, and potential CEQA review, along with formal mitigation for impacts. See the county’s detailed procedures for findings, studies, and mitigation ratios. Oak Use Permit requirements.
Tree Protection Ordinance permits
Outside the OAK overlay, many native trees are protected once they reach specified trunk diameters. Within OAK or VOH, additional rules apply regardless of tree size when woodland conversion is proposed. Mitigation can include replanting, preservation, or in-lieu fees. Review species lists, thresholds, and exemptions in the county overview above.
Stream or creek work: CDFW notification
Work that changes the bed, bank, or channel of a river, stream, or lake, including seasonal channels, requires notifying the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Many Kenwood parcels include stream corridors where a Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement may be required. Review state guidance to understand when an agreement applies. CDFW LSA guidance.
Grading and construction stormwater
Most earthmoving requires county grading and drainage review. If your project will disturb 1 acre or more, you must obtain coverage under the State Construction General Permit and implement a SWPPP prepared by a Qualified SWPPP Developer. Learn the current state requirements here. Construction General Permit.
Building permit
New homes, additions, and accessory structures require building permits in unincorporated Sonoma County. Plan review will check compliance with tree and oak protections, grading, drainage, and fire standards. Start with the county’s Building Division for process and contacts. Permit Sonoma divisions.
Septic and wells
If the property relies on a private septic system or well, you may need site evaluations, percolation tests, and design approvals. These reviews often run in parallel with planning and building. Confirm feasibility early. Well and septic information.
Fire prevention and defensible space
State law requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures, and local fire authorities enforce vegetation and access standards. Coordinate early on driveway design, water supply, and fuel management so your plans align with safety requirements. Review the state defensible space law. PRC section 4291.
How mitigation works
Under California’s oak woodland law, counties must require mitigation when projects convert oak woodlands. Mitigation can include conservation easements, replanting with long-term monitoring, contributions to approved funds, or equivalent measures that achieve equal or better conservation outcomes. Review state policy for the full list of options. Public Resources Code section 21083.4.
For Sonoma County Use Permits, mitigation ratios depend on the ecological quality of the woodland. Typical ratios range from 1:1 in limited-quality habitat to 3:1 in superior habitat, and may involve preservation, replanting, in-lieu fees, or a combination. The county’s Use Permit procedures detail how these ratios are applied.
A practical pre-application checklist
- Confirm overlays on your parcel: OAK, VOH, Riparian Corridor, and others. Use the County’s zoning map to check parcel layers before you design. Sonoma County zoning map FAQ.
- Schedule a pre-application call with Permit Sonoma to verify which permits apply and which PJR checklists you will need.
- Order baseline studies early: arborist inventory, oak woodland boundary mapping, biotic and cultural surveys, geotechnical input for slopes, and septic feasibility if needed. These will set expectations for design and mitigation.
- Map out a mitigation strategy before finalizing plans. For larger conversions, weigh conservation easements, replanting with monitoring, and in-lieu fees so you understand costs and long-term commitments.
- Coordinate with the local fire authority on access, water supply, and defensible space to avoid redesigns later.
Timeline and planning tips
Minor zoning or tree permits can take weeks to a few months once your submittal is complete. Discretionary approvals like Oak Use Permits usually take longer because they involve public notice, hearings, and possible CEQA review. Build time into your schedule for agency feedback and seasonal work windows, especially if your site includes streams or steep slopes.
Design with protection in mind. Site new improvements in previously disturbed areas where possible, limit road and driveway footprints, and set clear tree protection zones during construction. The more you avoid impacts upfront, the simpler your permit path and mitigation will be.
If you are weighing a land purchase, factor these steps into your due diligence. Early studies and a pre-application meeting can clarify feasibility, timeline, and reserves for mitigation, grading, and utilities.
When you want seasoned guidance on siting, feasibility, and value in wine country, connect with a team that handles complex land and estate transactions every day. For discreet, concierge representation on Kenwood land, estates, or vineyard properties, reach out to the Hillary Ryan Group.
FAQs
Do I need a permit to remove an oak tree in Kenwood?
- Many oak removals are regulated. If your parcel is in the OAK or VOH overlay, woodland conversion and certain removals require permits. Outside overlays, protected native species often need a permit at defined trunk sizes. Always confirm with Permit Sonoma before removal.
What counts as oak woodland conversion versus routine pruning?
- Conversion means changing an oak woodland to a non-oak use, such as clearing for a building envelope or vineyard. Routine defensible space work is generally allowed, but larger removals or work in overlays can still trigger permits. Document maintenance and verify scope with the county and local fire authority.
If my project disturbs one acre of soil, what stormwater permit applies?
- Disturbing one acre or more requires coverage under the State Construction General Permit, plus a SWPPP prepared by a qualified professional. Your county grading and building reviews will check for compliance.
How close to a creek can I build near oak woodlands?
- Setbacks vary by overlay and site conditions. Any work that changes the bed, bank, or channel of a stream can require a Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Confirm early if a stream corridor is present.
Who enforces defensible space and when should I coordinate?
- State law requires defensible space, and local fire authorities enforce it along with access standards. Coordinate during early design so driveway grades, turnarounds, water supply, and vegetation management meet requirements without late-stage changes.
