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Board adopts agritourism code amendments to allow small farm events while reserving permits for larger gatherings
Summary
Supervisors approved zoning changes that allow certain agritourism activities by right up to 50 guests and require ministerial or discretionary permits for larger or infrastructure-intensive events (weddings, arenas, camping), with exemptions and department review procedures.
The Board of Supervisors approved amendments to county code to define and regulate agritourism activities, farm stays and related overnight uses.
Planning staff outlined a multi-tiered approach: agritourism uses listed in the draft ordinance are allowed by right for up to 50 guests in R-1A, A and AG zoning districts; operations exceeding 50 guests or those requiring infrastructure or that are on small or substandard lots must apply for a ministerial (over-the-counter) permit or, in constrained cases, a discretionary planning-commission use permit. The ordinance also clarifies that farm stays may only occur inside permitted residential structures, while camping or glamping and other intensive uses will require conditional-use review.
Board members discussed definitional precision (for example, distinguishing "glamping" from transient RV camping) and enforcement; planning staff said all overnight and non-dwelling accommodations would be evaluated through the use-permit process where public notice and technical review apply. The board approved the code amendment and its CEQA exemption 5-0, with members noting the rules aim to balance agricultural economic opportunities with protections for neighbors and resources.
