Services Directory

This program of community involvement allows an individual, group or business to adopt a median, island or park area to help keep our City looking its best.

For more information regarding Alcohol Use Permit see Chapter 17.350 of the Municipal code for Alcohol Use Permit Criteria.

Effective July 1, 2022, animal control services, dog licensing, and stray animal housing for the City of Sebastopol are being handled by North Bay Animal Services (NBAS). Though NBAS is located in Petaluma, they provide animal control services to several North Bay cities, and our yearly contract will be reviewed annually in coordination with NBAS in an effort to provide the best animal control services for the City of Sebastopol.

For more information about the procedure of appeals see Chapter 17.455 in the Municipal Code, Appeal Procedure.

The City of Sebastopol has ambitious plans to improve bicycle facilities and has devoted considerable financial and staff resources towards that goal.

Business License applications are filed online only. Click on a link below to apply for an appropriate application.

The City adopts a Capital Improvement Program each year with its annual budget. While funds are appropriated each year to capital projects, unlike the annual budget, the Capital Improvement Program looks five years out into the future in terms of identifying high priority projects and funding sources.

Sebastopol California (population 7,800) is a rare blend of small-town charm, big-city sophistication, environmental sensibility, and progressive values. Rooted in an agricultural past, the city has evolved into a thriving haven for small business, the arts, artisan food and wine, an outdoor lifestyle, and an atmosphere of positive community engagement.

We do not offer self-reporting at this time, but we will be implementing this feature soon. Please check back for this feature. In the meantime, should you need to report a crime, make a police report, or need information, please call us at 707-829-4400. Call 911 for any emergencies.

City of Sebastopol Building Department

The Community Benefit Grant Program provides an excellent opportunity for the City of Sebastopol to support critical neighborhood projects and helps fulfill the community’s vision. It has been the practice of the City Council to consider the contribution funding of community-based programs conducted by non-profit 501 (3) (c) organizations that actively enhance the quality of life for Sebastopol residents. Non-profit organizations must file an application for the Community Benefit Grants Program. Applications must be submitted during February of each year for funding for the following fiscal year. Please see Policy and Application documents for complete details.

Street Standards – Resolution Number 6371-2021

Thank you for your interest in the Administrative Services Department.

The Engineering Division maintains lists of prequalified consultants and contractors that wish to be notified when City projects are being undertaken. For questions about the list and how to be included in it, please contact the Engineering Division at 707-823-2151.

The City of Sebastopol is committed to ensuring persons with disabilities can enjoy and participate at all levels of community living. Essential to participation is the ability to identify barriers that may prevent or eliminate community inclusion. To assist in identifying and removing barriers to persons with disabilities, the City of Sebastopol has developed and implemented a procedure and form to register complaints.

The City of Sebastopol is committed to maintaining its high quality of life by promoting an economic climate that is supportive of existing businesses, attracts new businesses that satisfy unmet area resident and visitor needs in a manner that supports Sebastopol’s unique identity, appreciation and respect for the environment and sense of place, while creating new jobs for residents of all income levels, promoting an improved jobs/housing balance.

Sebastopol has experienced many natural disasters, including earthquakes, fires, floods, and severe winter storms. One thing is for sure; we can expect nature to strike again. 

Resolution No. 6076 City Manager

Applies to all contractors performing work under an Encroachment Permit within or upon any public right of way, street, sidewalk, easement or City-owned property in the City of Sebastopol.

THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL OFFERS A PROGRAM AIMED AT ENCOURAGING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND PROPERTY OWNERS TO IMPROVE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.  UPGRADES, MAINTENANCE, AND AESTHETIC ENHANCEMENTS WILL BENEFIT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND ENHANCE THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

2023-2024 User Fee Schedule

For more information and guidelines see Chapter 5.50 Film Permit of the Municipal Code.

The Sebastopol Police Department provides fingerprinting services as a community service. Fingerprinting is done on on a walk-in basis on Wednesdays ONLY, between the hours of 1:00 PM-4:00 PM. To minimize the possibility of wasting a trip or a long wait, we recommend calling the police department just prior to making your trip to SPD. This ensures our fingerprinting services are available that day and that our fingerprinting person is not tied up on a call for service, or with other duties at the time you are hoping to come in. Please call 707-829-4400 for more information.

Sebastopol has a ‘formula business’ or chain store ordinance. Before you consider opening a new business, we urge you to investigate whether your business is subject to the special formula business review Use Permit process.

There is a growing body of research on people’s perceptions of fairness in dealing with law enforcement and public institutions. This research has shown that people’s perception of the quality of police encounters depends less on outcomes, but more on whether they feel treated in a fair or procedurally just way. Research has demonstrated that the four pillars of procedural justice – Respect, Fairness, Voice, and Trustworthiness – are vital for building trust and increasing legitimacy in policing. Every encounter between the Sebastopol Police Department and those we interact with is an opportunity for public feedback. All feedback is an opportunity to increase engagement, dialogue, and showcase the outstanding work and positive interactions our department personnel have each day.

The Sebastopol Police Department is teaming with OpenPolicing.org to create increased transparency and provide our community with greater insight to our interactions. OpenPolicing.org is a platform that allows people we interact with to provide feedback about the interaction in a timely manner. All interactions will provide those we interact with the opportunity to utilize a QR code or website to provide feedback.

Anyone can be the victim of identity theft, fraud, or scams. These types of thieves are insidious, extremely clever and creative and convincing. As a rule, avoid providing personal identifying information to anyone over the phone, via email, or by other means until you verify that the person contacting you is legitimate and associated with a known business. Conduct research before responding. Entities such as the Social Security Administration, Microsoft, the Internal Revenue Service and others will not call you on your cell phone or send you a text asking for monies they claim you owe.

The Sebastopol Police Department has a technician, during specific times, for Livescan services. We recommend calling on the day you are planning to have your prints taken, prior to your arrival, to confirm a technician is available.

Our furry friends have a way of getting loose and exploring sometimes. Should you find or see what appears to be a lost pet in your neighborhood, please call us at 707-829-4400 so we can try and facilitate a happy reunion. If you have lost your pet in the City of Sebastopol, a good starting point for your search is with Sebastopol PD. Please call us. We contract with North Bay Animal Services and we can liason with them or provide you suggestions to help you locate your lost friend.

Parklets

If you received a parking citation in the City of Sebastopol, please choose one of the following options to pay your citation:

We are accepting most applications electronically but do require hard copies for some applications. Note, Applications are not considered submitted until payment is received. Please contact us for instructions for submitting an application and processing payment. If in-person intake is needed, please contact staff to schedule an appointment.

The Sebastopol Police Department is committed to providing the highest level of service to our community as possible. Transparency is a cornerstone to that committment. We take that committment seriously and want to receive the gift of feedback. When our officers provide excellent service, we want to know about that. When officers do not meet the standard of excellence we expect, we want to know about that as well. All complaints are reviewed, tracked and investigated as required by law. Should you have a complaint about any of our personnel, your information is kept confidential and will not be shared with any staff not investigating the matter.

At some point in time, most of us end up with leftover, unused prescription drugs. Please do not dispose of these in your household trash or by flushing them down the toilet, pouring them down the drain, or by dissolving them in in the sink to flow down the drain. These compounds will end up in our wastewater systems or in a landfill. Our wastewater systems are not designed to filter out these compounds and in the landfill they end up being leached into the soil and can then end up in our groundwater supply.

If you have been the victim of Domestic Violence, or need Protection Order Information, please call us at 707-829-4400. If it is an emergency, call 911. The Family Justice Center of Sonoma County is a one-stop resource for survivors and can also provide information and assistance.

The City of Sebastopol is responsive to the public’s need for information about the city and the business of city government. It is the goal of the City to provide services in a transparent manner, which includes timely access to requested records. Most importantly the City of Sebastopol understands and supports the publics’ right to access the majority of the records created and maintained by the City during the course of normal business. City staff will assist in identifying responsive records by, as appropriate, describing relevant City records. The City has ten (10) days to respond to any request for public records; however, all requests will be filled as soon as possible. Should unusual circumstances exist, as provided in California Government Code Section 6253.9(c), the City may extend the time for a response by an additional fourteen (14) days. If an extension is warranted, the requestor will be notified.

The City of Sebastopol Municipal Code governs by statute and regulates many types of activities including: health and safety, animal regulation, public peace and morals and welfare, vehicles and traffic, building and construction to name a few. Many of the various codes may fall under the responsibility of the Sebastopol Police Department to enforce or regulate. Should you wish to report a Municipal Code violation, calling the Sebastopol Police Department is a good starting point, unless you know for certain you need to contact another city department. To report a suspected code violation, please call us at 707-829-4400.

If you need to report a serious “in progress” crime or have an emergency, call 911.

Residential parking permits are not generally required in the City of Sebastopol. Vehicle parking throughout the City of Sebastopol is regulated by other Municipal Code Ordinances. There are specific streets in the City of Sebastopol where permitted parking is required. Signage is erected in areas where parking is restricted by ordinance and requires a permit. Proof of residency is required to obtain a permit in those areas. Should you park in those areas requiring a permit and do not display a permit, you are subject to a citation. For additional information, refer to the Sebastopol Municipal Code.

RV Parking Ordinance Effective as of March 26, 2022

During a large local emergency, the Sebastopol Fire Department and other area first responders will deploy personnel and equipment to the areas where they are needed most. With resources likely stretched thin, many areas will be on their own for hours, days, or longer. The City of Sebastopol and Sebastopol Fire Department have launched SebastopolReady.org, an emergency and disaster preparedness and readiness resource with information on how neighbors can prepare to provide care, safety and comfort simply by working together. The Sebastopol Fire Department supports neighbors helping neighbors and provides a proven 9 step framework for each neighborhood to use and build upon.

If you have been ordered by the courts to register per 290 PC, you must follow the provisions outlined in the California Penal Code, or face arrest. The Sebastopol Police Department conducts 290 PC registrations on a walk in basis. No appointment is necessary during daytime business hours.

Upon receipt of this information the Planning Department will determine if the application is complete and will make a determination or, if necessary, schedule a hearing before the Design Review Board within six to ten weeks. The Design Review Board meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at Sebastopol City Hall, City Hall Conference Room., 7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA at 3:30 p.m.

The City of Sebastopol is host to many varied special events throughout the year. These events are an important part of our community and can add significantly to the quality of life for our residents and visitors. Depending on the nature of the events, they can enhance our neighborhoods, highlight products and services, provide marketing opportunities, and add to our cultural enrichment.

The City of Sebastopol owns and operates a storm water conveyance system located primarily within public streets and roads, and on public lands within the City of Sebastopol. The storm drain system includes an underground network of pipes connecting surface inlets in streets and elsewhere, where storm water collects. The majority of the City’s storm drain system flows in an easterly direction and discharges into the Laguna de Santa Rosa along our eastern boundary. A small area in the westerly portion of the City drains to Atascadero Creek at the Western City boundary.

SR 116 Safety Study

Get information on sales tax, transient occupancy tax and utility user tax.

Temporary Use Permit Submittal Requirements:

On September 1, 2020, the Sebastopol City Council adopted a municipal ordinance regulating tobacco retailers in the City of Sebastopol (Sebastopol Municipal Code, Chapter 8 – Health and Safety). The ordinance requires all retailers in the City of Sebastopol, who sell tobacco products, to register and acquire a Tobacco Retail License from the City on an annual basis. Licenses will be issued each calendar year.

Tree Removal Permit Submittal checklist:

For more information about tree removal and tree protection see Chapter 8.12 of the Municipal Code.

Sebastopol offers online billpay for water and sewer service. You will be directed to a secure, cloud-based, off-site portal where you can log in, check your bills, make a payment or sign up for Auto Pay with your Credit or Debit card.

The City discourages ‘non-hosted’ (full-time) vacation rentals, and requires a Conditional Use Permit for any new non-hosted, full-time vacation rentals.

The City owns and operates its own water production and distribution system. Water is produced via a series of wells located throughout the City. The City also owns two reservoir facilities to provide water storage capacity. The City Council has adopted a policy that the City be able to produce two times the water demand. This policy ensures that the City has sufficient redundancy in the event of a facility malfunction or shutdown for maintenance, upgrade or repair.

Sebastopol partnered with BAYREN, Bay Area Regional Energy Network, for their Water Upgrades $ave program. They make conserving water easy and affordable. Residents will get a personal assessment to select water-efficient upgrades (toilets, showerheads, and faucet aerators) that automatically lower their water use. This translates into savings on their water bills, covering the cost of the upgrades—and then some. Terms and conditions apply.

Sebastopol city limits include parts of the Laguna de Santa Rosa Wetlands Preserve, which is an important stopover for thousands of birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway and is home to a wide variety of life: more than 200 species of birds ranging from bald eagles to hummingbirds, rare and endangered salmon, steelhead, salamanders and plants, mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, mink, badger, and river otter, according to the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation.
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The Zoning Ordinance is that part of the Municipal Code that contains the regulations that pertain to land use in the City. Included in the Zoning Ordinance are the requirements regarding use, density, intensity, setbacks, signs, accessory structures and uses and other land use matters. The Zoning Ordinance can be found in Chapter 17 of the Municipal Code.