Southern Sonoma Cohousing

Southern Sonoma Cohousing - Green, Affordable Community Vision

A small core group has begun meeting to explore the creation of a rural intentional cohousing community in southern Sonoma County (Cotati, Penngrove, Petaluma) in the San Francisco North Bay Area. We are in the early “nuts-and-bolts” phase: clarifying our

Seeking Committed Co-Owners - we have identified a potential property!
A small core group has begun meeting to explore the creation of a rural intentional cohousing community in southern Sonoma County (Cotati, Penngrove, Petaluma) in the San Francisco North Bay Area. We are in the early “nuts-and-bolts” phase: clarifying our shared vision, outlining values and boundaries, developing a new-member questionnaire, and researching legal and financial structures.
We are seeking a few additional participants who have the capacity and interest to be financially and practically involved now, including:
  • An initial commitment of approximately $5,000–$25,000 to participate as a serious member once there is mutual alignment (exact amounts and terms to be decided collaboratively),
  • The ability to pre-qualify for a loan or contribute capital toward a shared purchase,
  • And the flexibility to meet regularly as we determine fit, governance, and long-term structure.
Current thinking is that land acquisition may run approximately $100,000–$150,000 per household for 8-12 households with additional costs for infrastructure, new builds, or existing home/structures (probably another $400-$600/sf). We are exploring properties with multiple lots. Some scenarios may involve purchasing a property with an existing home, allowing one or more members to live on site while the community develops. Ownership would be shared, with decisions made by consensus.
This is a relationship-driven process. We are looking for people who value collaboration, patience, transparency, and shared responsibility—and who understand that building community takes time, presence, and real engagement.
If this resonates and you have both the financial readiness and the bandwidth to participate in early-stage planning, we’d love to connect.