Architectural Reveiw Committee (ARC)

The Diamond A Neighborhood Association has an Architectural Review Committee (ARC). The objective of the ARC is to help all residents comply with applicable Covenants, Codes and Restrictions (CCRs) and County regulations. This committee should be consulted before any improvements of your property are initiated. The ARC is able to work with Diamond A residents to facilitate obtaining proper permits from Permit Sonoma. To contact the ARC, email Tom Jones,  DANA Secretary: dana-secretary@diamondasonoma.com 

Launching a project

Based on the precedents established by Sonoma County and carefully documented in the Taylor Sonoma Mayacamas Scenic Guidelines, the ARC conducts reviews for: 

• New homes

• Substantial expansions to existing single-family homes

• New "appurtenant" structures, including:

1. 1. New Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

   2. Any new utility building for which a permit is required

   3. Changes of use for any existing structure

ARC reviews are designed to help the property owner who is planning any project that falls under one or more of the above categories:

• When an application for a project is submitted to Permit Sonoma, it often triggers a request from Permit Sonoma to the ARC for a written review

• Past experience has demonstrated that more timely action on the part of Permit Sonoma can result from a "pre-emptive" ARC review that allows the property owner to incorporate ARC suggestions and modify design submissions in ways that document compliance with Sonoma County and with applicable CCRs.

The ARC strongly recommends the following for property owners planning construction:

• Engage the ARC early in your planning

1. 1. The ARC is able to review detailed designs in digital format. Plans submitted to the ARC will not be released to anyone else.

   2. The ARC will review plans and provide guidance within 5 business days of receipt of plans.

• Engage close neighbors

1. 1. The ARC will supply necessary contact details for neighbors most likely to be affected by construction noise and traffic and/or by any noticeable change on your street.

   2. The ARC will notify neighbors most likely to be affected that construction will be taking place on your property; the notification will include your contact details.

   3. The most satisfactory engagements with all likely to be affected neighbors include sharing your plans. Since some neighbors may not be adept at reviewing electronic design documents, you may find it better to arrange for a face to face meeting in order to review printed documentation.

   4. Upon review, if any likely to be affected neighbor has any concern, they should address those concerns directly to you; concerns may also be shared with the ARC and appropriate staff in Permit Sonoma

• Rely on the ARC for advice if issues arise during the course of your project.

General building and design guidelines

All structures in the Diamond A Ranch Estates subdivision are subject to the established CCRs for each respective unit. Although the specific restrictions for each unit vary slightly, the following guidelines apply to all areas:

1. No building, structure, or fence shall be placed upon a property until the plans and specifications have been submitted to the ARC.

2. The ARC is expected to respond in writing within 30 days after submission of the plans.

3. Planned alterations as well as new structures are expected to be "in harmony" with existing structures within the particular Diamond A Ranch Estate unit.

4. Residences, outbuildings, pools, and fences must be sited to avoid encroaching on existing easements.

5. Fencing should be in compliance with county regulations for setbacks, which depend on fence location and height. Fences should not encroach on equestrian easements or roadway easements.

6. Additional details about height of structures as well as placement of structures on parcels can be reviewed in the CCRs for each unit.

7. All additions, as well as all new structures, must comply with the Taylor Sonoma Mayacamas Scenic Guidelines. 

8. Highlights of The Guidelines include:

   1. Exterior lighting should be downward facing, fully shielded, and located at the lowest possible point to the ground to prevent glare and light pollution.

   2. All structures should be "substantially screened when viewed from public roads".

   3. Existing vegetation or existing topographical featured should be utilized to screen site development.

   4. Additional vegetation to further shield structures should be either indigenous or of a similar character and must be of sufficient size and density to screen the structure within 10 years of planting.

   5. Since the "Tri-Mountain" Guidelines were only promulgated in late 2013, many sites in the Diamond A Ranch Estates may not fully comply with them. However, every effort should be made to adhere to these guidelines to avoid possible problems with Sonoma County agencies. 

Lighting guidelines

A printable PDF of these guidelines is available here.

Excessive outdoor lighting alters the community character of rural areas.  Even in Sonoma Valley and on the mountains that define Sonoma Valley, increasing development of previously vacant land has resulted in significant increases in nighttime light, which is produced primarily by upward pointing or upward reflected light from outdoor lighting.

Light trespass is a result of "spill light" shining in undesirable locations, such as a neighbor’s backyard or bedroom window. Spill light is light cast beyond the parameters of useful light or the intended area to be lit. Typical examples include security lights or landscape lights that are not angled or shielded correctly and invade areas on a neighbor’s property that are desired to be kept darker.

Spill light shining into neighboring homes at night can disrupt sleep patterns and internal cycles in humans. In addition, disturbing the natural patterns of light and dark in adjacent habitats can disrupt many aspects of animal behaviors and life cycles, including nesting, feeding, and pollination.

While other jurisdictions such as San Diego County and the City of Malibu have developed ordinances that are patterned on Dark Sky International, Sonoma County has thus far limited its mandates to a section of the Taylor/Sonoma/Mayacamas Scenic Guidelines (Code of Ordinances 26-90-120).

Since Diamond A is located within the boundaries defined by this ordinance, we strongly recommend adhering to the following provisions:

1. Exterior lighting shall be downward facing, fully shielded, and located at the lowest possible point to the ground to prevent glare and light pollution.

2. Light fixtures shall not be located at the periphery of the property and shall not spill over onto adjacent properties or into the night sky.

3. Luminaires shall have a maximum output of 1000 lumens per fixture.

4. Total illuminance beyond the property line created by simultaneous operation of all exterior lighting shall not exceed 1.0 lux.

5. All roadway, parking, and driveway lights shall be low profile utilizing full cut-off fixtures.

6. Flood lights are not allowed.

7. If security lighting is necessary, it shall be motion-sensor activated only.

ARC resource contacts

To contact the ARC: 

Tom Jones,  DANA Secretary dana-secretary@diamondasonoma.com  

For information about applicable County Codes: 

     Permit Sonoma, +1 707 565-1900

For concerns about a vacation rental or other potential code violations in Diamond A: 

     Permit Sonoma Code Enforcement Division, +1 707 565 1904

For reports of "disturbance of the peace": 

     Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, +1 707 565-2121

Members of the ARC

• Mark Hannon

• Tom Jones

• Mark Pierce