CM Update February 20, 2026

Volume 26 | Issue 4 | February 20, 2026

HEALDSBURG IN THE 19TH CENTURY

CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE

THE CITY MANAGER'S UPDATE City Manager Jeff Kay

The City Manager's Update is a bi-weekly, digital publication, and includes current information and news, program and project updates, upcoming events, recruitment opportunities, and more!

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ABOUT THE COVER Today (February 20) marks 159 years since the official incorporation of the City of Healdsburg.

The photo above, taken 5 years later (1872) shows the Plaza at left.

The small white building (lower right) was the office of Healdsburg Mayor Lewis Norton.

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Districts 2 and 4 will be on the November 3, 2026 ballot

Land Use Code Evolves In recent years, the California state legislature has adopted changes to state law aimed at increasing the supply and diversity of housing throughout California.

These efforts are intended to incentivize the production of housing. While these laws represent a loss of local control, they also present an opportunity to address the need for working class “missing middle” housing throughout the state.

At the February 17 Healdsburg City Council meeting, the Council adopted two ordinances that update our local codes to comply with state law. The City has been subject all along to these laws; updating our land use code aligns our regulations with state law.

One ordinance will implement Senate Bill 9 (SB9), or the Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME ACT). The State Senate bill requires cities to allow two-unit development and urban lot splits on lots that are zoned for single-family homes. The City’s ordinance limits the size of these units and requires that projects meet City standards in the Healdsburg Municipal Code.

The second ordinance combines two California senate bills that increase densities by allowing up to 10 units to be built on vacant residential parcels, and on parcels zoned for multi-family housing. This conforms with Senate Bill 684 and Senate Bill 1123, that aim to streamline small-scale development.

Healdsburg staff do not expect a rush of new projects as a result of these changes.

www.HealdsburgEmergency.org

UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS Monday, March 2, 2026 Women’s History Month proclamation Annual Police Department Update Housing Trust Fund Discussion

Monday, March 16, 2026

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Fire Department Update SMART Sales Tax Presentation City Council Protocol Update NOTE: The schedule is tentative and subject to change pending final publication and posting of City Council meeting agendas. Agendas can be found here.