As required by Sec. 8-2.227 in Article 2 of this chapter, a Use Classification System has been employed to identify agricultural Use Types. The agricultural Use Types include the full range of cultivated agriculture, such as the on-site production of plant and animal products by agricultural methods, as well as agricultural commercial uses, agricultural industrial uses, and agricultural residential uses, serving the rural areas. The descriptions of the Use Types in this chapter also contain individual specific uses that are classified within the Use Type. These specific typical uses are examples and are not meant to include all uses that may properly be classified within the Use Type.
(a) Agricultural Production, Processing, and Accessory Uses. This Use Type includes a wide range of agricultural land uses and operations to be used for the production of food and fiber. Typical production uses do not require the application of any development or performance standards. This Use Type also includes processing or packaging of harvested crops grown or produced primarily on the premises or in the local area, whether or not value is added, for the onsite preparation of market or for further processing and packaging elsewhere. These uses do not include rendering, tanning, or reduction of meat. Accessory agricultural uses that are incidental or subordinate to the principal agricultural use of the property include buildings or structures for the purposes of supply of goods, materials, or services that support agricultural uses. Accessory structures are defined and regulated in Section 8-2.506(b) of this chapter. This Use Type also includes cultivated or uncultivated lands used for wildlife habitat. Cannabis uses, including cultivation (outdoor, indoor and mixed-light), processing, and nurseries, require the issuance of a Major Use Permit as regulated by Article 14 of this Chapter.
(b) Animal Facilities Uses. This Use Type includes a wide array of activities associated with the keeping of certain animals that typically require the application of development or performance standards, subject to a non-discretionary or discretionary permit. The keeping of farm animals solely for the purpose of pasturing, grazing, or breeding is an allowed use by right and is not regulated under this section. The raising and keeping of farm animals when used for 4-H, FFA, and other youth animal farming projects is not subject to any regulations in this section. Other animal facilities such as feedlots, dairies, kennels, and stables are subject to regulatory review.
(c) Agricultural Commercial and Rural Recreation Uses. This Use Type includes commercial uses incidental to the agricultural or horticultural operations of the area that preserve the rural lifestyle and stimulate the agricultural economy, including some tourism-related uses that may be the primary use of a particular property. These Use Type examples do not require the rezoning of the land to the Agricultural Commercial Zone, which is reserved for significant agricultural commercial uses that are the primary use of the property. Examples of this Use Type include wineries, special events, lodging/bed and breakfasts, commercial horse stables, "Yolo Stores," and farm-based tourism (i.e., working farms or ranches), which educate or entertain visitors, guests or clients, and generate income for the owner/operator. Cannabis uses, including retail (storefront and non-storefront), nurseries, and microbusiness require the issuance of a Major Use Permit as regulated by Article 14 of this Chapter.
This Use Type also includes commercial or non-commercial operations related to outdoor sporting or leisure activities that require large open space areas that do not have any detrimental impact on adjacent agricultural lands.
(d) Agricultural Industrial, Resource Extraction, and Utilities Uses. This Use Type includes industrial or research uses subordinate to, and in support of, agriculture. These uses may include product processing plants that provide regional serving opportunities, and agriculturally based laboratories or facilities for the production or research of food, fiber, animal husbandry or medicine, and may include administrative office space in support of the operation. Many of these Use Types are most appropriately located on lands zoned A-I.
Uses related to the agricultural industry may require more intensive methods such as warehousing, transportation facilities, crop dusting, agricultural chemical and equipment sales, and other agricultural related industries, which generate more traffic, noise, and odor than typical agricultural practices. These uses may be located on lands not suitable for intensive agriculture due to soil quality, topography, or water availability. Cannabis uses, including distribution and manufacturing (volatile, non-volatile and infusion) require the issuance of a Major Use Permit as regulated by Article 14 of this Chapter.
This Use Type also includes mineral extraction, wind and solar power, gas and oil wells, electrical utilities and yards, and wireless communication towers. More detailed regulations governing wind and solar energy systems, and wireless communication towers are found in Article 13, Special Use Development Standards.
(e) Residential and Other Uses. This Use Type includes all residential structures that are allowed in the agricultural zones, as well as a range of related residential activities such as group/home care, child care, and home occupations.
(Ord. 1445, eff. August 14, 2014; as amended by § 2, Ord. 1494, eff. January 11, 2018; as amended by § 2, Ord. 1545, eff. January 6, 2022)