Big Changes For County-Run Marinas On Sonoma County Supervisors' Agenda

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is set to vote Tuesday on a sweeping update to the county code that would overhaul how County-operated marinas are regulated, expanding and modernizing rules that have not been comprehensively revised in decades.

The ordinance, up for adoption on its second reading, modernizes marina regulations and expands them from Spud Point Marina only to all County marinas, including Mason’s Marina and the Sport Fishing Center. County officials say the changes are designed to reflect current marina operations, clarify enforcement authority, and balance public access with environmental protection — without creating new direct costs.

Key changes include:

• Standardizing berthing and live-aboard rules, including:
  • Up to 30 short-term, lower-cost visitor berths to support public access and local economic activity
  • 14-day maximum stays within any 60-day period for transient vessels
  • Up to 20 security-related live-aboard vessels
• Updating rules on fees and owner responsibility, pollution controls, aggressive animals, area use restrictions, vessel maintenance, and dock activities.
• Clarifying overnight vehicle and trailer use subject to approval.
• Making administrative updates, including CEQA findings, publication requirements, and removal of outdated provisions.
• Clarifying roles, responsibilities, and enforcement authority of the Park Authority and marina supervisor.

Meeting details are accessible online. The Sonoma County Supervisors meeting begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building, 126 1st Street W., Sonoma.