County of Sonoma Mental Health Warm Line: Call (707) 565-2652 for free and private support if you or someone you know is experiencing emotional stress and anxiety during COVID-19. The line is operating 7 days a week 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors’ COVID-19 Eviction Defense Ordinance pre-dates California’s eviction moratorium by a few days. The County ordinances provides different procedures and remedies for residential tenants facing possible eviction.
The County ordinances, which expires 60 days following the end of the declared emergency, creates a legal defense for tenants who live anywhere in Sonoma County and are being evicted due to non-payment of rent and who can demonstrate financial losses due to lost work or medical expenses resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
On Feb. 9, 2021, the Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the ordinance that includes Just Cause Limitations, which closes loopholes that could have been used by landlords to evict tenants for minor lease infractions. This applies to residents who are unable to pay rent for COVID-19-related reasons and those who are able to pay rent but may have other minor lease infractions.
Legal Aid has prepared several resources designed to inform Sonoma County residents of the most up-to-date laws regarding renters and homeowner protections, rental support, and other COVID-19 laws. Please visit Legal Aid of Sonoma for the full list of resources.
