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Funding for Sonoma County Parks

Measure M – Parks for All – Funding for county, city parks

Parks for All - Measure M logo

Sonoma County voters in 2018 approved Measure M, a one-eighth-cent sales tax that supports Sonoma County’s regional and city parks. Approved by 72.6 percent of voters, the “Sonoma County Parks Improvement, Water Quality and Fire Safety Measure” went into effect in April 2019 and is providing funding for 10 years.

Measure M details

Measure M provides funding to maintain, protect and operate parks. The measure’s expenditure plan details how the revenue is allocated, with the county and cities each determining how to prioritize their funding and a citizen oversight committee ensuring funds are used as intended. 

With Measure M funding, the county and cities can:

  • Invest in the maintenance of parks, trails, signs, buildings and other infrastructure
  • Improve playgrounds, sports fields, restrooms, picnic areas, and visitor centers
  • Improve park access by extending or building trails, bike paths, coastal trails, and river trails
  • Reduce wildfire risks through vegetation management
  • Open new parkland to the public
  • Protect natural resources, including waterways and wildlife habitat
  • Offer recreation, education, and health programs in parks

Measure M annual reporting

The county and cities each year account for how they allocated the tax revenue and highlight the projects and programs funded.

Additional details about Measure M:

Proposed tax renewal

In July 2026, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted to place a measure on the Nov. 3 ballot asking voters to consider extending the current parks sales tax. If approved by two-thirds of voters, the renewed measure would take effect when Measure M expires in 2029. It would continue the existing one-eighth-cent sales tax and would not increase the tax rate or create an additional tax.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in May 2026 to introduce an ordinance that would place a parks sales tax renewal on the November ballot. The Board is expected to consider adopting  this summer. If then approved by two-thirds of voters in the general election, the renewed measure would take effect when Measure M expires.

AB 1600 Development Fees

Development Impact Fees are created under Assembly Bill 1600 (AB 1600), also known as the Mitigation Fee Act. AB 1600 enacted Government Codes Sections 66000-66008, requiring that local agencies prepare annual reports on all development impact fees collected on new developments to finance construction costs associated with public facilities. Under AB 1600 and the Sonoma County Code, Regional Parks reports on Countywide Park Mitigation Fees, which apply to all unincorporated lands with the boundary of the county. AB 1600 Development Fees Annual Reports for past years can be found using the following links: