Petaluma Historic Advocates Victoriously Collected Signatures for Referendum Petitions
The petition will require an election and reverse the Downtown Housing & Economic Opportunity Overlay that was approved by City Council on April 21
Petaluma Historic Advocates exhausted all efforts in a successful campaign which collected 6,936 signatures for referendum petitions that were submitted yesterday to the Petaluma City Clerk.
Per the City of Petaluma’s website:
The Petaluma City Council has approved the Downtown Housing & Economic Opportunity Overlay—a meaningful step toward breathing new life into underutilized parts of Petaluma's historic downtown. Focused on a small 2-block area along Petaluma Blvd S, this overlay encourages thoughtful redevelopment that will enhance our community while honoring Petaluma’s unique character.
By allowing carefully reviewed projects to build a little higher or more densely in exchange for providing community benefits, the overlay creates opportunities for high-quality development that serves us all. These benefits might include beautifully designed buildings, public open spaces, streetscape improvements, and preservation of Petaluma's cultural and historic resources. Every project must meet strict standards to ensure compatibility with our cherished downtown, including limits on height and requirements for exceptional design and architectural quality.
The overlay empowers Petaluma to revitalize long-vacant sites—like the former Bank of the West, the Walnut Park Grill, and Fourth & C properties—bringing new housing, businesses, and economic activity that will increase foot traffic and support our beloved local shops and restaurants. It also aligns with the City’s climate action goals by encouraging walkable, transit-friendly development close to the SMART station.
With a clear focus on preserving the charm and history of downtown while providing new opportunities for economic growth, the Downtown Housing & Economic Opportunity Overlay is an investment in Petaluma’s future—a future that remains vibrant, sustainable, and rooted in our history.
Current Referendum
There is an effort underway to collect signatures to require an election and reverse the Downtown Housing & Economic Opportunity Overlay that was approved by City Council on April 21. We encourage you to be informed about the Downtown overlay and please reach out if you have any questions.
We invite all residents to read through the FAQs on this page below, and review background information on the following additional websites as you decide whether or not to sign:
the Overlay History page, and
To read the approved referendum summary, please click HERE.
To read a Summary of the Referendum Against the Overlay, click HERE.
Referendum Cost
In a recent article in the Argus-Courier, Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters Deva Proto estimated that it would cost between $121,800 and $365,390 for a special election, or around $68,000 to $115,000 on top of the regular election costs for the next regularly scheduled election in November 2026. Funds to support a referendum would be drawn from the City's General Fund.
Key Referendum Dates
Final date of passage of the Downtown Housing & Economic Opportunity Overlay General Plan and Zoning Amendments: April 21, 2025
Submission of Proposed Summary of Referendum Against Resolution 2025-047 N.C.S. (General Plan Amendment) Passed by the City Council of the City of Petaluma: April 24, 2025
Submission of Approved Summary of Referendum Against Resolution 2025-047 N.C.S. Passed by the City Council of the City of Petaluma: May 6, 2025
Deadline to file for withdrawal of a signature on the referendum petition: June 4, 2025
Deadline for submission of signed referendum petitions: June 5, 2025
For questions regarding the Downtown Housing & Economic Opportunity Overlay General Plan and Zoning Amendments, please contact the Community Development Department at cdd@cityofpetaluma.org or the City Attorney's Office at (707) 778-4362 or cityattorney@cityofpetaluma.org.
For questions regarding referendum procedures, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (707) 778-4360 or cityclerk@cityofpetaluma.org or the City Attorney's Office at (707) 778-4362 or cityattorney@cityofpetaluma.org.
For questions regarding referendum deadlines, including deadlines for withdrawal and submissions of signatures, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (707) 778-4360 or cityclerk@cityofpetaluma.org or the City Attorney's Office at (707) 778-4362 or cityattorney@cityofpetaluma.org.
