Vineyard development fees hiked 75%
The prices for starting a new vineyard in Sonona are growing expontentially. Looks like it will cost around $5,000 to apply for a permit. This pretty much squashes any of my thoughts for a hobby vineyard if Kiara and I move near Santa Rosa.
The Press Democrat reports in "Vineyard development fees hiked 75% " article:
The cost of getting a county permit for new vineyard development will jump 75 percent during the next fiscal year under a plan approved Tuesday by Sonoma County supervisors.
The fees are intended to cover the cost of ensuring new vineyards are planted in compliance with erosion and sediment control measures adopted by the supervisors in 1999.
Officials say the steep increase in fees is because of the sharp drop in new vineyard applications expected over the next 12 months and a mandate from the supervisors that the cost of complying with the so-called hillside planting ordinance be paid for by the growers.
Of course, this will increase costs of the grapes coming from the new vineyards.
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