This article provides standards for specific recreation, education and public assembly land uses in all zones.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. A site with program and facilities established for the primary purposes of providing an outdoor group living experience with social, spiritual, educational, or recreational objectives, for five (5) days or more during one (1) or more seasons of the year.

1.

Excludes: Hotels, motel, and resorts; tourist camps; trailer parks; hunting camps; auto courts; labor camp; penal or correctional camp; child care institutions; charitable or recreational organizations that complies with the rules and regulations for recreational trailer parks.

B.

Standards.

1.

TP zone: must be permanently located and improved.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Land or premises which are used or intended to be used, let or rented for occupancy by campers.

B.

Standards.

1.

Not permitted on property subject to a Williamson Act contract.

2.

LEA and DA zones: maximum of thirty (30) sites within campground.

3.

RRD zone: May not interfere with or detract from the purposes of RRD zone.

4.

RRD and K zones: May include sites for recreational vehicle (RV) camping.

5.

TP zone: must be permanently located and improved.

C.

Findings.

1.

LEA zone: To approve a conditional use permit for a campground in the LEA zone, the review authority must find that the use will be consistent with general plan policy AR-6f and other applicable provisions of the general plan.

2.

TP zone: The use does not significantly detract from the use of the property for, or inhibit, growing and harvesting timber.

(Ord. No. 6403, 3-7-2023; Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Permanently located and improved private and public campgrounds, resorts and organized camps. Applies in TP zones only.

B.

Standards.

1.

Must be permanent located and improved.

2.

The use shall not include construction of permanent residences, except as otherwise allowed in the TP zone.

3.

The use does not significantly detract from the use of the property for, or inhibit, growing and harvesting timber.

(Ord. No. 6403, 3-7-2023)

A.

Definition. Public or non-profit institutions that support and contribute to the cultural development of the community and provide community-serving programs and services on-site.

1.

Includes: libraries, museums, aquariums, zoos, environmental education centers, non-profit art centers and galleries, botanical gardens, and other similar uses.

2.

Excludes: Elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, and specialized education and training institutions.

3.

RR and PCRR zones:

a.

May serve no more than the residential community in which it is located.

b.

May not adversely affect the agricultural community.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. A noncommercial facility for public or private assembly.

1.

Includes: Community centers, grange halls, meeting halls for clubs and other membership organizations, places of worship, and functionally related internal facilities (e.g., kitchens, multi-purpose rooms, and storage).

2.

Excludes: Sports or other recreational or entertainment facilities, overnight lodging, functionally independent restaurants and food service, day care centers, schools.

B.

Standards.

1.

Not permitted on property subject to a Williamson Act contract.

2.

LIA and AS zone: Limited to granges and similar agriculturally related community service facilities which do not adversely impact agriculture in the area. All other community meeting facility uses are prohibited.

3.

LEA, DA, RRD, AR, and RR zones: May occupy no more than fifty percent (50%) of the parcel or ten (10) acres, whichever is less.

4.

LEA and DA zones: Agricultural production and related processing, support services, and visitor serving uses must remain the primary use of the parcel. (general plan policy AR-4a)

5.

RR and PCRR zones: May serve no more than the residential community in which it is located and may not adversely affect the agricultural community.

6.

Industrial zones: must be located in existing industrial buildings and clearly incidental to the permitted industrial use.

7.

PF zone: on leased Sonoma County airport lands designated in the airport master plan for non-aeronautical development uses, high intensity and noise sensitive uses such as houses of worship are not allowed.

8.

Criteria In LIA, LEA, DA, RRD, AR and RR zones, the use must be consistent with general plan policy LU-6e.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. A private membership club which may include recreational facilities (e.g., swim and tennis facilities), fitness facilities, a restaurant, and related facilities.

1.

Excludes: Overnight lodging facilities

B.

Standards.

1.

Not permitted on property subject to a Williamson Act contract.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Public and private institutions of higher education providing curricula of a general nature, typically granting recognized degrees or certificates.

1.

Includes: community colleges, junior colleges, colleges, universities

2.

Standards. No unique use-specific standards.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Educational institutions providing instruction to minors as required by the California Education Code.

1.

Includes: public and private elementary, junior high, and high schools;

B.

Permits.

1.

A use permit is required.

C.

Standards.

1.

Not permitted on property subject to a Williamson Act contract.

2.

In the LEA, DA, RRD, AR, RR zones, the use must be consistent with general plan policy LU-6e.

3.

In the LEA and DA zones, the applicant must demonstrate that the use meets a local need, avoids conflict with agricultural activities and is consistent with general plan objective AR-4.1 and policy AR-4a.

4.

In the RR Zone, private elementary and secondary schools must be consistent with General Plan Policy Lu-6f.

(Ord. No. 6403, 3-7-2023; Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Public and private educational institutions providing instruction in specific fields, with limited to no course offerings in general education subjects.

1.

Includes: Vocational schools; art, graphic design and photography schools; film and video schools; music, theater, and dance schools; seminaries/religious ministry training facilities; facilities providing courses by mail; facilities, institutions, and conference centers that offer specialized programs in personal growth and development, including fitness; environmental education schools.

B.

Standards.

1.

RR and PCRR zones:

a.

May serve no more than the residential community in which it is located.

b.

May not adversely affect the agricultural community.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. An area of land used for the playing of golf, consisting of at least nine (9) holes, and improved with tees, greens, fairways, and hazards.

1.

Includes: Driving ranges, locker and shower facilities, pro shop with incidental sales of golfing equipment, snack bar, and maintenance operations

2.

Excludes: Restaurants, non-golfing retail sales, lodging, miniature golf courses.

B.

Standards.

1.

RR zone: Driving ranges may not be operated during night time hours. Associated facilities include only those necessary to serve the driving range use, such as equipment rental and snack bar and not restaurants, retail sales and similar facilities.

2.

PC zone: Publicly owned golf courses only.

3.

LIA, LEA, and DA zones:

a.

A golf course must be adjacent to a designated urban service boundary or include an irrevocable offer of offsite unutilized development rights for all lands between the use and the urban service boundary.

b.

Permanent open space or agricultural preservation must be provided for the site of a proposed golf course and all areas for which development rights are acquired,

c.

A golf course must be located in close proximity to an existing wastewater treatment facility and use of reclaimed wastewater in accordance with the regulations of the applicable regional water quality control agency,

d.

A golf course is subject to design review approval and includes setbacks, buffers or other measures designed to minimize its impact on existing and potential agricultural uses in the area,

e.

Under no circumstances shall housing be included as part of the use, except that one (1) caretaker unit may be allowed.

f.

A golf course must be compatible with and not result in limitations on any agricultural operation.

g.

Golf courses are not allowed on lands subject to a Williamson Act contract or in a timber production zone.

h.

Facilities associated with the golf course and/or driving range shall be limited to those which serve golfers on the course or range, such as locker and shower facilities, pro shop with incidental sales of golfing equipment, snack bar and maintenance operations. Such facilities shall not include restaurants, other retail sales, lodging or similar uses,

i.

Driving ranges may not be operated during nighttime hours.

j.

In the event that a golf course is proposed within a designated Community Separator, the criteria established by general plan policy OSRC-1c shall supersede the above criteria.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Public and private facilities for neighborhood or community use for outdoor sports and recreation activities, where the facilities are oriented more toward participants than spectators.

1.

Includes: Includes athletic/sport field, tennis and other sport courts, swimming pools, playgrounds with children's play equipment, picnicking and open space areas.

B.

Standards.

1.

RR and PCRR zones:

a.

May serve no more than the residential community in which it is located.

b.

May not adversely affect the agricultural community.

2.

K zone: Public parks are permitted by right. Public playgrounds and private parks require a use permit.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. A periodic event such as a parade, concert, festival, race or gathering which attracts a large gathering of people either by direct participation, or as spectators.

B.

Zoning Permit Required. A zoning permit is required for all periodic special events, except the following, which are not considered periodic special events:

1.

Events conducted entirely within dedicated rights-of-way where event organizers have secured necessary encroachment or other permits;

2.

Events conducted entirely within a building for which all necessary county permits have been secured, provided that the events are within the scope of the use for which the building was permitted;

3.

Events conducted at fairgrounds or events conducted at outdoor spectator facilities for which a use permit has been obtained, provided that the outdoor event is within the scope of the use permit;

4.

An event which has all of the following characteristics:

a.

Has no live amplified music;

b.

Does not involve an admission fee either for participants or spectators;

c.

Is a one (1) day event conducted between the hours of seven a.m. and eleven p.m.;

d.

Does not involve overnight sleeping of participants or spectators;

e.

Is not conducted more than one (1) calendar day in a thirty-day period;

f.

Is not accompanied by newspaper, internet, social media, radio or television advertising or printed leaflets distributed to the public at large; and

g.

Does not involve the sale of food or beverages.

5.

All periodic special events may be subject to requirements of sheriff, public health, fire services, building inspection, public works, or other permitting agencies not specified in this article. Event hosts are responsible for securing approvals from applicable agencies.

C.

Standards.

1.

Periodic special events subject to a zoning permit shall comply with the following requirements, in addition to the requirements of other applicable agencies:

a.

The event shall comply with all local and state fire codes.

b.

Noise shall be managed in accordance with the noise element of the Sonoma County general plan.

c.

A courtesy notice shall be posted on the property at least ten (10) days in advance of the event, which states the nature and duration of the event. Notice of the event and contact information for the event host, including a telephone number at which the event host can be reached before and at all times during the event, shall be provided at least forty-eight (48) hours before the event to at least one (1) resident of each adjacent lot. The notice shall state that a request for a public hearing may be submitted to the project planner at least 10 days in advance of the date specified on the notice.

d.

Periodic Special Events are "restricted nonagricultural uses" in the LEA, LIA, and DA Districts. See Section 26-06-030.E for additional applicable provisions.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Fitness centers, gymnasiums, health and athletic clubs.

1.

Includes: Swimming pools; saunas; spas and hot tubs; indoor tennis; handballs; racquetball courts; indoor fitness activities.

B.

Standards. No unique use-specific standards.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. A commercial establishment providing indoor recreation, entertainment, and sports facilities for a fee or admission charge.

1.

Includes. Paintball/laser tag; rock climbing; martial arts; ice skating; pool and billiards; indoor tennis and racquet clubs, indoor sports activities as primary uses.

B.

Standards.

1.

All activities must relate to and utilize the primary sports function of the facility.

2.

Periodic Special events are not allowed on site.

3.

In MP, allowed by-right if accessory to the primary use permitted on the site. Otherwise, Use Permit required.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. A commercial facility for outdoor sports and recreational activities where a fee is charged for use.

1.

Includes: Amusement and theme parks, go-cart tracks, miniature golf courses, outdoor water park, accessory retail and food service facilities customarily associated with outdoor commercial recreation activities.

B.

Standards. No unique use-specific standards.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Facilities for sports and recreational activities requiring large undeveloped sites, remote locations, and having significantly lower numbers of visitors per day as compared to other recreation and sports facilities.

1.

Includes: Hunting and fishing clubs, game preserves, paint-ball, zip line and ropes courses, non-motorized mountain biking facilities.

B.

Standards.

1.

LEA, LIA, and DA, and AR zones: Limited to game preserves, refuges, and hunting clubs.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. A facility providing a confined space for safe target practice with firearms, archery equipment, or other weapons.

B.

Standards. No unique use-specific standards.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. A large-scale indoor or outdoor facility accommodating spectator-oriented sports, concerts, and other entertainment activities.

1.

Includes: Amphitheaters; race tracks; rodeo arenas; stadiums; coliseums; incidental and subordinate commercial facilities (i.e. bars, restaurants and gift shops).

B.

Standards. No unique use-specific standards.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Production studios for individual musicians, painters, sculptors, photographers, and other artists and craftsmen.

1.

Includes: Individual and group instruction and training in the arts dance, and music; production rehearsal; photography, and the processing of photographs produced only by users of the studio facilities; martial arts training studios; dance studios; gymnastics instruction; and aerobics and gymnastics studios with no other fitness facilities or equipment.

B.

Standards.

1.

LIA, LEA, DA, and RRD zones: Only non-commercial arts and crafts studios are allowed. Retail or wholesale sales are prohibited.

2.

RR zone: Retail or wholesale sales are allowed if the use is conducted within an existing abandoned agricultural building appropriate for such use.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Indoor facilities with a permanent stage or screen for the presentation of live or recorded entertainment and which contains an audience viewing hall or room, with fixed seats.

1.

Includes: Civic theaters and facilities for live theater and indoor concerts; exhibition and convention halls; movie theaters; public auditoriums; similar public assembly uses and live entertainment or amplified music uses.

2.

Excludes: Outdoor theaters; outdoor concert venues; indoor commercial recreation facilities.

B.

Standards.

1.

MP zone: Limited to auditoriums accessory to the primary permitted use on site.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. A facility for providing information for travelers and/or the public about a specific community, region, geographic area, or site.

B.

Standards. No unique use-specific standards.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)