Sonoma's Municipal Code Chapter 9.12 regulates the City's public parks and recreation areas. Please be sure to review these regulations if you are planning a gathering in a City park, and contact Lisa Janson if you have questions.

Additional rules regarding parks and trails in Sonoma include, but are not limited to:

Alcohol

• It is unlawful for any person to drink or consume any alcoholic beverage in a public park in the City of Sonoma between sunset and 11:30 a.m.
• At the Field of Dreams park, it is unlawful for any person to drink or consume any alcoholic beverage at or within any area of the park at any time, except in connection with events at which alcoholic beverages are authorized to be served in accordance with administrative regulations issued by the city.
• For details and additional information please see SMC Chapter 9.36.

Smoking

• Smoking and the use of tobacco products is prohibited in recreational areas within the City of Sonoma, including but not limited to parks, picnic areas, playgrounds, sports fields, walking paths, gardens, hiking trails, bike paths, riding trails, swimming pools, skateboard parks and amusement parks. (SMC 7.24)

Dogs

• Regulations regarding dogs in park facilities are provided in SMC Chapter 8.06.
• Dogs are prohibited in all areas of Plaza Park, regardless of whether they are restrained by a leash (this excludes the sidewalks adjoining the streets and the vehicular area within the park). Dogs are also not permitted on the Overlook trail or in the Montini Preserve. Learn more here.
• Certain exceptions for service animals apply under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Dogs are permitted in all other city park facilities, except in children’s playground areas of any city park; provided, that a waste bag dispensary is located within the park facility, and such dog is under the control of a competent person and under restraint by a leash not to exceed six feet in length.
• There is a small dog park located near the Community Meeting Room at 175 First St. West, and a larger dog park at the County's Ernie Smith Park.
• The City Council may prohibit or permit dogs in certain parks pursuant to an approved special use permit or plaza use permit.

Reserving a City Park

• For gatherings, most of the City's parks are available on a first come-first serve basis unless the park has been reserved in advance for a special event. Larger events do require a special events use permit. For details on planning an event please contact Lisa Janson.

Filming

• A film permit is required for filming activity (the filming, video taping, photographing, or other similar process conducted for the making of motion pictures, television programs, commercial and nontheatrical productions) on location within the City. Certain exemptions apply. (SMC 7.40)

Help protect your parks and trails by reporting illegal activities immediately to the Sonoma Police Department at (707) 996-3601.
For Emergencies call 911