The County of Sonoma has announced new civil enforcement penalties for those found in violation of the county’s pandemic health orders. The new rules will see the issuing of citations ranging from $100 for individuals and up to $10,000 for businesses for noncompliance with local and state health orders related to the coronavirus.
The ordinance was approved unanimously by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on an urgency basis, meaning the rules became effective immediately.
The Board also approved the creation of a hotline – 1-833-SAFE707 – for the public to report infractions.
Reports of health order violations can also be directed via email to [email protected].
Under the new order, fines of $100 can be issued to individuals for infractions including:
- Failure to wear facial coverings
- Not practicing safe social distancing (maintaining 6-foot separations from non-family members) when in public
- Taking part in gatherings of more than 12 people who aren’t sheltering in the same household
Under the new order, fines of can be issued to businesses for noncompliance, such as not requiring safe practices for employees. A commercial violation is subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 for a first violation, $5,000 for a second violation, and $10,000 for each additional violation by the same responsible party.
You can learn more about this new ordinance in the county press release here.
And you can view the EDB's helpful ordinance poster here.
