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Planning commission reviews draft zoning‑ordinance changes to agricultural zones and new land‑use matrix
Summary
Tulare County staff presented draft amendments to the county zoning ordinance to clarify agricultural definitions, add a land‑use matrix, revise allowed uses across AE/AF zones and increase noticing for large events; advisory committees and Farm Bureau participated in the review.
Tulare County planning staff presented a workshop on proposed amendments to Zoning Ordinance No. 352 focused on agricultural zones, including new definitions, a land‑use matrix and revised rules for uses such as agricultural service establishments, guest ranches, grazing and mushroom growing.
Emily Gage of the Tulare County Resource Management Agency told the commission the updates are intended to make allowable uses clearer and reduce redundancies across AE and AF zone text. “The purpose of this workshop is to explain and discuss the current changes proposed in the draft,” Gage said, noting the draft reflects input from the Agricultural Advisory Committee and the Farm Bureau.
Key changes in the draft include a consolidated land‑use matrix showing allowed, conditionally allowed and prohibited uses by agricultural zone; a new definition of “agricultural service establishment” specifying a 75% gross‑receipts threshold for farm‑related services; separate classifications for guest ranches and summer camps; an expanded battery‑storage definition; and changes to occupancy and setback rules (for example, reducing minimum distances between dwellings and structures that house livestock from 100 feet to 40 feet).
Gage said mushroom growing will be allowed by right in all agricultural zones, and that the draft carries forward many by‑right uses while centralizing definitions in Section 16 to reduce inconsistency. The draft also raises the maximum height for fences and hedges from 3 feet to 8 feet and proposes a half‑mile noticing radius for large assemblies instead of the prior 300‑foot notice.
Commissioners and committee representatives praised the clarity the matrix provides. Commissioner Bill Whitlatch and Commissioner Jim Sullins, representing the county agricultural advisory committee, thanked staff and noted the changes reflect extensive stakeholder input. Sullins said the advisory committee will continue to review the draft and invited commissioners to future meetings.
Staff said the draft is presented as a feasibility and planning study and is statutorily exempt from CEQA under Title 14 CCR section 15262. No formal action was taken; the workshop was informational and further revisions were expected before a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
