Sonoma County Bans Evictions During Disaster Recovery

Low-income renters face an increased risk of eviction after a natural disaster. Most cities and states don’t offer any protection.

1 minute read

October 13, 2024, 11:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Brick chimneys standing in rubble from Tubbs Fire in Northern California in 2017.

Damage from Tubbs Fire in Sonoma County, California in 2017. | California National Guard, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

A Sonoma County, California ordinance passed last month bars landlords from evicting tenants during weather disasters and other declared emergencies. The first-in-the-nation “disaster-triggered” moratorium aims to prevent waves of evictions similar to those that impacted residents in Florida during the 2021 hurricane season. The Sonoma ordinance is the result of activism from the region’s large agricultural worker community, who suffered after 2017’s Tubbs Fire.

In a Bloomberg CityLab article, Patrick Sisson explains how natural disasters lead to evictions. “Lack of internet access can cut off the ability to pay rent online, and those who evacuated can’t just drop off rent checks. Jobs are upended and schools close, putting childcare strains on working parents. And damage to homes and workplaces continue to exact a lingering economic toll on the afflicted area long after emergency response is completed.” Compounding the problem, a study found that rents go up by 4 percent to 6 percent in impacted areas, and evictions rise sharply. 

Supporters of the Sonoma law hope it can be a model for other communities, particularly in vulnerable areas like south Texas and Florida. 

Tuesday, October 8, 2024 in Bloomberg CityLab

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Intersection in downtown Sacramento, California with neoclassical building with columns on left.

Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects

The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.

15 minutes ago - The Sacramento Bee

Wide roadway in Austin, Texas at night.

How Project Connect Would Change ‘The Drag’

A popular — and sometimes deadly — Austin road will exchange car lanes for light rail.

1 hour ago - The Daily Texan

Google Street View of wide roadway flanked by green trees in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Road to Get Complete Streets Upgrades

The city will reduce vehicle lanes and build a protected multi-use trail including bioswales and other water retention features on its ‘secret highway.’

2 hours ago - Urban Milwaukee