Sonoma County Approves $100 Citations For Not Wearing Face Masks

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Sonoma County residents can now be fined for failing to wear a face mask in public or not complying with any other coronavirus-related public health order.

The county's Board of Supervisors on Thursday approved a code enforcement ordinance that allows the issuance of citations for noncompliance, with fines starting at $100 for a person and ranging up to $10,000 for a business.

The ordinance was unanimously passed on an urgency basis, which allows it to take effect immediately, county spokesperson Paul Gullixson said in a news release.

Supervisors also approved the creation of a county hotline — 1-833-SAFE707 — where members of the public can call to report infractions. Complaints can also be filed by sending an email to safe707@sonoma-county.org.

"Our goal is to prioritize education and outreach before fines," said Supervisor Susan Gorin, chair of the Board. "We know that most people are following the health orders and wearing facial coverings when out in public, practicing social distancing and avoiding large gatherings.

"But we have seen a need for more enforcement options to deal with the small number of folks who are willfully disregarding the order. This ordinance will help address this issue in our community."

Under the ordinance, members of the public can be charged a flat fee of $100 for any of the following infractions:

— Failure to wear a facial covering (face mask that covers one's mouth and nose);

— Not practicing safe social distancing in public by not maintaining a 6-foot separation from people who are not in their household;

— Taking part in a gathering of more than 12 people who are not sheltering in the same household; or

— Refusing to abide by COVID-19 safety protocols required at restaurants, stores and other businesses.

Commercial operations such as restaurants, bars, stores and other businesses face fines starting at $1,000 for noncompliance, such as not requiring safe practices for employees. A commercial violation is subject to a civil penalty of $5,000 for a second violation, and $10,000 for each additional violation by the same responsible party.

The ordinance allows government employees outside of law enforcement, such as code enforcement officers and park rangers, to issue the citations which are a civil penalty similar to a parking ticket.

"Approval of this enforcement ordinance now aligns Sonoma County with neighboring jurisdictions, including Marin, Mendocino and Napa counties, which have similar enforcement measures in place," Gullixson said.

While the ordinance technically applies to unincorporated areas within the county's jurisdiction, law enforcement and community officials from incorporated cities in Sonoma County have indicated they intend to assist in enforcing the citations or adopt similar ordinances, according to the county news release.

Gullixson pointed out that Sonoma County has been on the California Department of Public Health's watch list since July 13 because of rising rates of infection in and low availability of intensive care unit beds to treat seriously ill COVID-19 patients in local hospitals.

The cumulative number of coronavirus cases in Sonoma County since the outbreak began in March reached 3,208 on Wednesday, including 42 deaths and 1,547 active cases.

When the county went on the watch list, local businesses such as restaurants and wineries were required to close indoor operations. Malls, movie theaters, entertainment centers and other operations that tend to attract large indoor gatherings also were forced to indefinitely close.

The county says businesses dealing with customers who are not complying with health orders can also call the hotline, 1-833-SAFE707, to report suspected infractions or the ordinance. More information and resources for businesses surrounding coronavirus health order enforcement is posted at SoCoLaunch.org.