Board approves zoning changes to allow amplified music at boutique wineries and extend health-care trailer permits

San Diego County supervisors on Feb. 11 voted unanimously to amend the county zoning code to allow expanded operations at boutique wineries — including outdoor amplified live music under specified conditions — and to extend the maximum permitting period for health-care trailers.

County planning staff told the board the changes respond to prior direction and extensive outreach and are designed to balance economic opportunities for small wineries with protections for nearby residents. The draft ordinance establishes a minimum 200-foot setback from property lines for amplified music but allows winery operators to apply for a ministerial zoning verification permit and a noise study to request a reduced setback if property-line noise standards can be met. Staff said some parameters, such as setback distance, vary with modeled noise levels and that any reduced setback would require a county-approved technical noise analysis.

“Today’s updates accomplish the board direction to allow live music at boutique wineries by right subject to parameters and to extend the maximum permitting time for health-care trailers,” a county planning presenter said during the staff presentation. The staff presentation also noted that the ordinance would remove an old limit that had capped outdoor seating to ‘‘up to 5 tables or 20 people’’ and would clarify how total site occupancy is calculated.

Supporters from the agricultural community framed the change as an economic opportunity for rural businesses. Andy Lyle, land use committee chair for the San Diego County Farm Bureau, said, “The boutique wineries show the charm and great atmosphere we have here in San Diego County for ag tourism and small family businesses.” Susan Robinson, president of the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association, said the association supports the changes and thanked staff for outreach.

Neighbors and some planning-group representatives urged caution. Kathleen Lippitt told the board residents have been ‘‘ignored since 2021’’ and said unchecked outdoor music has interfered with nearby households’ quiet enjoyment. Another caller said amplified music from some wineries has been audible miles away.

On health-care trailers — temporary housing units for caregivers or relatives requiring physician-directed care — staff said the ordinance would allow permits for up to five years, contingent on the physician’s certificate of need, and would clarify wastewater and septic requirements where sewer connection is not available.

Supervisor Anderson moved the item with amendments asking staff to revisit several technical assumptions, including how indoor versus outdoor tasting areas factor into the 30% retail-tasting threshold, reassess noise-model assumptions (hardscape versus softscape and directional sound impacts), and to explore measures such as natural or structural barriers to reduce off-site sound. Anderson said additional targeted analysis could expand opportunities for rural operators while protecting neighbors. Supervisor Desmond seconded the motion.

Staff estimated the effort to date at about $350,000 — roughly $215,000 for consultant work and about $125,000 in staff time — and said further analyses directed by the board could add roughly $25,000–$50,000. After discussion the board approved the ordinance and the direction to return with the requested follow-up analysis; the motion passed unanimously with all supervisors present and voting aye.

Next steps: staff will return with the results of the additional noise and policy analyses as directed by the board, and the ordinance language will be finalized for posting in the county record.