Sonoma County roofs face two seasons that pull in different directions. Winter brings atmospheric rivers that test every flashing and valley. Summer and fall bring wildfire risk, and the county has lived through the 2017 Tubbs and Nuns fires, the 2019 Kincade Fire and the 2020 Glass Fire. A roof here has to shed water and resist embers. This guide covers both.
1. Know your roof
Start with the basics: what the roof is made of, roughly how old it is, whether it has been replaced since a fire rebuild, and whether your address is in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Your county assessor or permit records can help with dates; Permit Sonoma and city building departments keep permit histories.
2. Leaks and storm damage
Most leaks start at flashing, pipe boots, valleys and worn or missing shingles. Wind-driven rain finds small gaps that ordinary rain doesn't. When something goes wrong:
- Contain water inside, photograph damage and stay off the wet roof.
- Get a professional tarp on if water is coming in (emergency tarping).
- Schedule a permanent roof leak repair quickly; tarps aren't a winter-long fix.
3. Wildfire and the roof
CAL FIRE's Office of the State Fire Marshal says embers cause 60 to 90 percent of home ignitions in wildfires (OSFM). California's Wildland-Urban Interface code (the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, Title 24, Part 7) includes roofing requirements, including a Class A roof assembly, for new buildings in designated fire hazard zones. Fire scale in this county is real: CAL FIRE records 5,636 structures destroyed in the Tubbs Fire (CAL FIRE) and 1,528 in the Glass Fire (CAL FIRE). Read more in wildfire-resistant roofing for Sonoma County.
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4. Repair or replace
Repair limited damage on a roof with life left. Consider replacement when leaks recur in new places, the covering is failing across slopes, or the deck is soft. If you replace, think about fire rating, weight, the look of your neighborhood and maintenance. Compare roof replacement options and metal roofing.
5. Permits
Inside city limits, the city building department issues permits; in unincorporated areas it's Permit Sonoma. Reroofs commonly need one. See roofing permits in Sonoma County.
6. Hiring a roofer
- Verify the license on CSLB; the roofing classification is C-39.
- Down payment: no more than 10% or $1,000, whichever is less (CSLB).
- Unlicensed contracting in a declared disaster area is a felony in California.
- Get a written contract with materials, scope, permit, cleanup and warranty.
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7. Get ready for winter 2026–27
NOAA's Climate Prediction Center has an El Niño Advisory in effect. Its October 8, 2026 discussion calls a strong-to-very strong El Niño likely through January–March 2027 (better than an 83% chance) and notes that impacts with an event this size are "larger, though not guaranteed." For a Sonoma County roof, that means a better-than-usual chance of long, wind-driven storms, not a promise of them. CPC's next update is November 12, 2026.
Our El Niño roof prep guide has a full checklist.
Sources
- NOAA CPC: ENSO Diagnostic Discussion, Oct 8, 2026
- CAL FIRE OSFM: Building in the wildland
- CAL FIRE OSFM: Fire Hazard Severity Zones
- CAL FIRE: Tubbs Fire
- CAL FIRE: Glass Fire
- CSLB: license check
- CSLB: disaster information
- Permit Sonoma
Sources checked October 18, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a Sonoma County roof be inspected?
Many roofers suggest a check before each rainy season and after major storms. Rebuilt homes and older roofs benefit most.
Is a Class A roof required everywhere in Sonoma County?
No. State WUI roofing rules apply to new buildings in designated fire hazard zones, and local rules can add requirements. Check your address on CAL FIRE's map and ask your building department.
Who do I call for a permit?
Your city building department inside city limits, or Permit Sonoma in unincorporated areas.