Building a Stronger, More Connected Community

The City of Ukiah is evaluating annexation of adjacent lands as a strategic step toward securing a brighter future for the region. By aligning our city boundaries with actual growth patterns, we could improve public services, strengthen community representation, and support sustainable development. 

Annexation is more than just expanding city limits—it’s about enhancing quality of life, creating economic opportunities, and ensuring equitable access to services for all residents in the greater Ukiah area.

City of Ukiah Planning Commission Item Related to Annexation Postponed to Allow for Continued Community Engagement and Collaboration 

The City of Ukiah has announced that the Planning Commission item originally scheduled for this Wednesday, June 25, 2025, regarding the pre-zoning of certain parcels and related land use items associated with a potential future annexation proposal, will be continued to a date uncertain.

The City is taking this step to ensure that there is adequate time to continue engaging with the community and to further explore potential alternatives to the original proposal. In addition, the City believes that more time is needed to allow for ongoing discussions with public partners to support a thoughtful, coordinated approach to land use planning and annexation.

“We need and appreciate the community’s interest in this issue and are committed to continuing a process that is open, transparent, and inclusive,” said Mayor Doug Crane. “It is our goal to make sure any annexation proposal reflects shared objectives, addresses community concerns, and supports long-term planning for the entire region.”

City officials emphasized that no application for annexation has been submitted, nor authorized, at this time, and that any draft proposal will be grounded in meaningful dialogue with residents, partner agencies, and stakeholders.

The City will continue to provide updates on next steps and future meetings as the engagement process continues.

More on the Proposed Ukiah Valley Reorganization:

The proposed Ukiah Valley Reorganization builds on a long-standing City policy direction to strengthen regional planning, enhance service delivery, and protect agricultural and open space lands. In recent years, the City has completed an updated 2040 General Plan, secured a Master Tax Sharing Agreement with Mendocino County, implemented a Sphere of Influence Update, and consolidated emergency and water services through regional partnerships. The City has also passed a Right to Farm ordinance to protect agricultural land use within city boundaries.

If pursued, annexation could:

  • Enable more reliable and coordinated government services, including police, code enforcement, and infrastructure maintenance.
  • Secure a stronger, more focused tax base to fund quality services and community amenities.
  • Give residents in annexed areas a voice in City elections and representation on issues that affect their neighborhoods.
  • Provide a foundation for sustainable housing and commercial development while protecting agricultural land and open space.

Currently, multiple public agencies provide overlapping services with inconsistent policies and governance. By incorporating areas that are already functionally part of Ukiah, we could:

  • Ensure efficient and reliable government services – Police, fire, street maintenance, and emergency preparedness and response would be streamlined and coordinated by the City.
  • Create a stronger economic foundation – Local businesses and homeowners would benefit from improved infrastructure, responsible development, and a fair tax structure.
  • Strengthen community representation – Residents in annexed areas would gain the right to vote in City elections, ensuring their voices shape Ukiah’s future. 
  • Support sustainable growth – Thoughtful city planning and development policies would help prevent urban sprawl while preserving open spaces and agricultural land.
  • Public Services: Annexed areas would receive city-managed police protection, street maintenance, and code enforcement, while maintaining current water and sewer services.
  • Tax allocation: Property tax rates would remain unchanged at 1%, but tax dollars that are currently spread countywide would be more focused on supporting Ukiah.
  • Emergency Preparedness & Response: Police, fire and emergency medical response would remain reliable. And the City would be able to improve emergency preparedness planning, response, and recovery efforts. 
  • Infrastructure Improvements: The City would assume responsibility for road maintenance and future improvements in annexed neighborhoods. 

No. Property owners would continue to pay the same general property tax rate of 1%.

As properties gain value in annexed areas their tax revenue would increase when the properties are sold and bought. Under a Master Tax Sharing Agreement, the County would allocate a portion of the increased property tax revenue to the City. However, the amount paid by the property owner does not change.

No. Land use designations would remain unchanged. Of note, the City of Ukiah has adopted

a “Right to Farm” ordinance specifically to protect agricultural activities within city jurisdiction.

It wouldn’t.  Water is already provided to the entire proposed area through the Ukiah Valley Water Authority (www.cityofukiah.com/uvwa), sewer would continue to be provided by the City of Ukiah or the Ukiah Valley Sanitation District (whichever currently serves the property), and the electric service provider would not change.  The process of annexation does not require property owners who have wells and/or septic systems to connect to water or sewer systems.

If annexation occurs, the only difference to sales tax would be the application of Measures P (half-percent for public safety) and Measure Y (half-percent for street improvements) to retail businesses in the newly-annexed areas.  Most community members already regularly pay these taxes at places like Costco, Walmart, Friedman’s, etc. and the funds are put to work directly in our community.  Further, these dedicated funds are leveraged to access even more grant money to support these services. Ukiah has the lowest sales tax rate of all of the incorporated cities in Mendocino County. Additionally, the County is actively exploring the addition of a 1% sales tax increase to the unincorporated county.

Properties within the annexed area that are used for agricultural purposes would still be

protected for that type of land use. Additionally, the City has taken and will continue to take a

purposeful approach to planning that preserves open space and agricultural lands, as well as

encouraging more local agricultural uses in existing city limits.

Annexation would ensure more strategic, coordinated development to achieve a GREATER Ukiah— a community with enhanced quality of life, growing economic opportunity, and effective regional coordination. 

Transparent Process & Public Engagement

Annexation will not happen overnight—it requires careful planning and a public review process. The City of Ukiah is working closely with Mendocino Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) to ensure a thorough, transparent review process that includes public meetings and opportunities for community feedback.  

For more information, contact:

Deputy City Manager Shannon Riley at sriley@cityofukiah.com

Close Search Window