The five (5) tables on the following pages set forth the permit requirements for each of the agricultural Use Types, listing several examples of specific activities under each Use Type.
The most prevalent Use Types identified for each agricultural zone district are “principal” uses allowed “by right” (no zoning permit required, although a building permit for new structures may be required); “accessory” or “ancillary” uses allowed through a non-discretionary (no public hearing) Site Plan Review and building permit; and conditional uses permitted through the issuance of a Minor or Major Use Permit, which requires a public hearing before either the Zoning Administrator or the Planning Commission.
Table 8-2.304(a) on the following page identifies some specific examples of Agricultural Production, Processing, and Accessory uses under each general Use Type. Each specific use is identified by being allowed by right (identified as “A” in the table); by non-discretionary Site Plan Review (“SP”); by conditional Use Permit (“UP(m)” or “UP(M)”); or uses that are not allowed (“N”).
Table 8-2.304(b) on the following page identifies examples of specific Animal Facilities Use Types that are allowed by right, by Site Plan Review, by conditional Use Permit, or uses that are not allowed.
Table 8-2.304(c) identifies Agricultural Commercial and Rural Recreation Use Type examples that are allowed or permitted in each category.
Table 8-2.304(d) identifies examples of Agricultural Industrial and Resource Use Types that are allowed or permitted, and the last Table 8-2.304(e) identifies Residential Use Type examples that are allowed by right, by non-discretionary Site Plan Review, by conditional Use Permit, or uses that are not allowed, in each of the agricultural zones.
A = Allowed use, subject to zoning clearance* SP = Site Plan Review UP (m) = Minor Use Permit required UP (M) = Major Use Permit required N = Use Not Allowed | Land Use Permit Required by Zone | Specific Use Requirements or Performance Standards | ||||
A-N | A-X | A-C | A-I | A-R | ||
A = Allowed use, subject to zoning clearance* SP = Site Plan Review UP (m) = Minor Use Permit required UP (M) = Major Use Permit required N = Use Not Allowed | Land Use Permit Required by Zone | Specific Use Requirements or Performance Standards | ||||
A-N | A-X | A-C | A-I | A-R | ||
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, AND ACCESSORY USES | ||||||
Production | ||||||
Crop production, orchards and vineyards | A | A | A | A | A | |
Cannabis cultivation, all types (3) | UP(M) | UP(M) | UP(M) | UP(M) | N | See Article 14 |
Keeping farm animals
(1) | A | A | A | A | A | |
Apiaries and aviaries | A | A | A | A | A | |
Horse breeding | A | A | A | A | A | |
Dry land farming | A | A | A | A | A | |
Exempt or not covered habitat mitigation projects | A | A | N | N | N | |
Covered habitat mitigation projects | UP(m) or UP(M) | UP(m) or UP(M) | N | N | N | |
Processing (2) | ||||||
Alfalfa cubing, hay baling and cubing | A | A | A | A | SP | |
Custom canning, freezing, preserving, and packing of fruits and vegetables | A | A | A | A | SP | |
Corn shelling; drying of corn, rice, hay, fruits and vegetables | A | A | A | A | SP | |
Grain cleaning and custom grinding; custom grist mills; custom milling of flour, feed and grain | A | A | A | A | SP | |
Commercial hay sales and distribution, large scale (over 25 trucks per day) | SP | SP | SP | A | N | |
Wine, beer, spirits, and olive oil production (small, no tastings or retail sales) | A | A | SP | A | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(j) |
Tree nut hulling and shelling, on-site use only | A | A | A | A | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(r) |
Forestry | A | A | N | A | N | |
Cannabis processing, drying, storing, trimming (3) | UP(M) | UP(M) | UP(M) | UP(M) | N | See Article 14 |
Accessory Structures/Uses | ||||||
Barns and storage sheds | A | A | A | A | A | |
Coolers and cold storage houses, dehydrators, grain elevators, hullers, silos | A | A | A | A | N | |
Farm offices | A | A | A | A | A | See Sec. 8-2.506(b) |
Greenhouses, commercial, up to 100,000 sq. ft. | A | A | A | A | N | |
Greenhouses, commercial, over 100,000 sq. ft. | SP | SP | SP | A | N | |
Cannabis greenhouses, nurseries (3) | UP(M) | UP(M) | UP(M) | UP(M) | N | See Article 14 |
Other accessory agricultural support structures | A | A | A | A | A | See Sec. 8-2.506(b) |
Privately-owned reservoirs, ponds, basins | A | A | A | A | A | See Sec. 8-2.306(b) |
* An “allowed use” does not require a land use permit, but is still subject to permit requirements of other Yolo County divisions such as Building, Environmental Health, and Public Works.
(1) Includes pasturing and grazing; does not include confined animal operations.
(2) Regional-serving agricultural operations, including processing facilities, require Site Plan Review (under 100,000 square feet and uses that generate less than 60 truck trips per day) or a Use Permit, at the Planning Director’s discretion.
(3) Cannabis uses require the issuance of a Use Permit pursuant to the Cannabis Land Use Ordinance in Article 14.
A = Allowed use, subject to zoning clearance* SP = Site Plan Review UP(m) = Minor Use Permit required UP(M) = Major Use Permit required N = Use Not Allowed | Land Use Permit Required by Zone | Specific Use Requirements or Performance Standards | ||||
A-N | A-X | A-C | A-I | A-R | ||
A = Allowed use, subject to zoning clearance* SP = Site Plan Review UP(m) = Minor Use Permit required UP(M) = Major Use Permit required N = Use Not Allowed | Land Use Permit Required by Zone | Specific Use Requirements or Performance Standards | ||||
A-N | A-X | A-C | A-I | A-R | ||
ANIMAL FACILITIES USES
(1), (2), (3) | ||||||
Animal feedlots and cow dairies, over 50 animal units | UP(m)/UP(M) | UP(m)/UP(M) | N | UP(m) | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(c) |
Stockyards | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | SP | N | |
Goat, sheep and cow dairies, under 50 animal units (500 goat, sheep/50 cows) | A | A | A | A | SP | See definition of animal unit |
Goat, sheep dairies, over 50 animal units (500 goat/sheep) | UP(m) | SP | N | SP | N | |
Fowl/poultry ranches, under 200 animal units (20,000 fowl) | A | A | SP | A | SP | See definition and Sec. 8-2.306(d) |
Fowl/poultry ranches, over 200 animal units (20,000 fowl) | UP(m) | SP | N | SP | N | |
Hog farms or ranches, under 100 hogs (25 animal units) | A | A | SP | A | N | See definition and Sec. 8-2.306(e) |
Hog farms or ranches, over 100 hogs (25 animal units) | UP(m) | SP | N | SP | N | |
Small animal farms, under 100 animal units (5,000 animals) | A | A | A | A | SP | See definition of animal unit |
Small animal farms, over 100 animal units (5,000 animals) | SP | SP | N | SP | N | |
Aquaculture, over 3 acres in area | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | SP | N | |
Animal hospitals and veterinary medical facilities | UP(m) | UP(m) | UP(m) | SP | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(f) |
Non-profit rescue facilities, less than 10 dogs or domesticated animals | A | A | A | A | A | See Sec. 8-2.306(g) |
Kennels and animal shelters, five or more dogs or domesticated animals | UP(m) | UP(m) | UP(M) | SP | UP(M) | See Sec. 8-2.306(h) |
Private stables, less than 16 boarded horses and no special events | A | A | SP | SP | UP(m) | See Sec. 8-2.306(i) |
Small and large domestic animals | A | A | A | A | A | For A-R zone, see Sec. 8-2.506(j) |
* An “allowed use” does not require a land use permit, but is still subject to permit requirements of other Yolo County divisions such as Building, Environmental Health, and Public Works.
(1) 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.
(2) The keeping, care or sheltering of wild animals, which requires a permit from the State Department of Fish and Wildlife pursuant to the Fish and Game Code, shall require a Minor Use Permit.
(3) See definition of concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) in Section 8-2.307.
A = Allowed use, subject to zoning clearance* SP = Site Plan Review UP(m) = Minor Use Permit required UP(M) = Major Use Permit required N = Use Not Allowed | Land Use Permit Required by Zone | Specific Use Requirements or Performance Standards | ||||
A-N | A-X | A-C | A-I | A-R | ||
A = Allowed use, subject to zoning clearance* SP = Site Plan Review UP(m) = Minor Use Permit required UP(M) = Major Use Permit required N = Use Not Allowed | Land Use Permit Required by Zone | Specific Use Requirements or Performance Standards | ||||
A-N | A-X | A-C | A-I | A-R | ||
AGRICULTURAL COMMERCIAL AND RURAL RECREATIONAL USES | ||||||
Commercial Uses | ||||||
Commercial farm equipment sales | N | N | SP | SP | N | 1 annual sale event in A-N, A-X |
Farm equipment repair, light manufacturing | See “agricultural support services” in Table 8-2.304(d) | |||||
Christmas trees/pumpkin patches, over 100 daily customers | SP | SP | SP | SP | N | |
Corn mazes | SP | SP | SP | SP | N | |
Nurseries and landscaping materials | UP(m) | UP(m) | SP | SP | N | See definition |
Cannabis nurseries, microbusiness, non- storefront delivery (1) | UP(M) | UP(M) | UP(M) | UP(M) | N | See Article 14 |
Permanent roadside/produce stands, farmers markets, U-pick farms, etc. | SP | SP | A | SP | SP | See Table. 8-2.506 (must meet parking requirements) |
Seasonal roadside/produce stands | A | A | A | A | SP | |
“Yolo Stores,” less than 100 daily customers | SP | SP | SP | SP | N | See definition |
“Yolo Stores,” over 100 daily customers | UP(m) | UP(m) | SP | SP | N | |
Wineries, breweries, distilleries, olive mills, small | SP | SP | SP | A | UP(m) | See Sec. 8-2.306(j) |
Wineries, breweries, distilleries, olive mills, large | UP(m) | UP(m) | SP | SP | N | |
Special event facilities, over 40 acres, 8 events per year, less than 150 attendees | A | A | N | A | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(k) and Table 8-2.401 |
Special event facilities, small | UP(m) | UP(m) | A | A | UP(m) | |
Special event facilities, large | UP(M) | UP(M) | UP(m) | UP(m) | UP(M) | |
Private stables w/ events | SP | SP | SP | SP | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(i) |
Commercial stables, small | SP | SP | SP | SP | N | |
Commercial stables, large | UP(m) | UP(m) | SP | SP | N | |
Bed and breakfasts/lodging, small | SP | SP | SP | N | UP(m) | Sec. 8-2.306(l) and Table 8-2.401 |
Bed and breakfasts/lodging, large | UP(M) | UP(M) | UP(m) | N | N | |
Farm stays, farm dinners | A | A | SP | N | UP(m) | See Sec. 8-2.306(m) |
Hotels, motels | N | N | N | N | N | |
Rural restaurants | N | N | UP(m) | N | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(o) |
Cottage food operation | A | A | A | A | A | See Sec. 8-2.506(k) |
Rural Recreational | ||||||
Campground | N | UP(M) | UP(m) | N | N | See definition and Sec. 8-2.306(p) |
Primitive campground | UP(M) | UP(m) | N | N | N | |
Recreational vehicle parks | N | N | UP(M) | N | N | |
Parks, golf courses, country clubs | N | N | N | N | N | |
Fisheries, game preserves | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | N | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(p) |
Sport shooting, hunting, gun and fishing clubs (more than 50 people per day) | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | N | N | |
Off-road vehicle courses | N | UP(M) | N | N | N | |
Commercial pools, ponds, or lakes | UP(M) | UP(m) | UP(M) | N | N | |
Health resorts, spas, and retreat centers | UP(M) | UP(M) | UP(M) | N | N | |
Rural sports activities, hiking, biking | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | SP | N | |
* An “allowed use” does not require a land use permit, but is still subject to permit requirements of other Yolo County divisions such as Building, Environmental Health, and Public Works.
(1) Cannabis uses require the issuance of a Use Permit pursuant to the Cannabis Land Use Ordinance in Article 14.
A = Allowed use, subject to zoning clearance* SP = Site Plan Review UP(m) = Minor Use Permit required UP(M) = Major Use Permit required N = Use Not Allowed | Land Use Permit Required by Zone | Specific Use Requirements or Performance Standards | ||||
A-N | A-X | A-C | A-I | A-R | ||
A = Allowed use, subject to zoning clearance* SP = Site Plan Review UP(m) = Minor Use Permit required UP(M) = Major Use Permit required N = Use Not Allowed | Land Use Permit Required by Zone | Specific Use Requirements or Performance Standards | ||||
A-N | A-X | A-C | A-I | A-R | ||
AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL, RESOURCE EXTRACTION, AND UTILITIES USES | ||||||
Industrial Uses | ||||||
Alcohol and biomass fuel production | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | SP | N | |
Agricultural chemical, fertilizer sales and storage | UP(m) | UP(m) | UP(M) | SP | N | |
Agricultural support services, small | SP | SP | UP(m) | A | N | See definition |
Agricultural support services, large | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | A | N | See definition |
Agricultural and seed research facilities | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | SP | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(q) |
Large industrial canneries | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | SP | N | |
Regional processing facilities | SP/UP (m) | SP/UP(m) | N | SP | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(r) |
Cannabis distribution, manufacturing, nurseries, processing, testing/lab (1) | UP(M) | UP(M) | UP(M) | UP(M) | N | See Article 14 |
Very large wine, brewery, and olive oil processing facilities (over 100,000 sq ft) | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | SP | N | |
Commercial composting, green waste facility | UP(M) | UP(M) | N | UP(m) | N | |
Construction yards | N | N | N | N | N | |
Crop dusting facility | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | SP | N | |
Airports and heliports, private | UP(m) | UP(m) | UP(M) | SP | N | |
Airports and heliports, public | UP(M) | UP(M) | N | UP(m) | N | |
Explosives handling | N | N | N | UP(m) | N | |
Sewage treatment plants and disposal areas | N | N | N | UP(m) | N | |
Slaughterhouses | UP(M) | UP(M) | N | UP(m) | N | |
Resource Extraction | ||||||
Oil and gas well drilling operations | SP | SP | N | SP | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(s) |
Surface mining | UP(M) | UP(M) | N | SP | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(t) and Title 10 |
Utilities | ||||||
Electrical distribution, transmission substations; communication equipment buildings; public utility service yards | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | SP | N | See Secs. 8-2.1009 and 1106 (Major Use Permit for facilities over 200 kV) |
Small solar energy system, onsite use only | A | A | A | A | A | See Sec. 8-2.306(u) |
Small wind energy system for onsite use | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | |
Medium-sized solar facility, where less than 2.5 acres of habitat/farmland are disturbed | SP | SP | N | SP | N | |
Medium-sized solar facility, 2.5 acres or more of habitat/farmland are disturbed | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | UP(m) | N | |
Large and very large solar and wind energy facilities | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | UP(m) | N | |
Co-generation facilities | UP(m) | UP(m) | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(v)
|
Wireless communication facilities | UP(m) | UP(m) | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(w)
|
Vehicle charging station | A | A | A | A | N | See definition in Sec. 8-14.102 |
* An “allowed use” does not require a land use permit, but is still subject to permit requirements of other Yolo County divisions such as Building, Environmental Health, and Public Works.
(1) Cannabis uses require the issuance of a Use Permit pursuant to the Cannabis Land Use Ordinance in Article 14.
A = Allowed use, subject to zoning clearance* SP = Site Plan Review UP(m) = Minor Use Permit required UP(M) = Major Use Permit required N = Use Not Allowed | Land Use Permit Required by Zone | Specific Use Requirements or Performance Standards | ||||
A-N | A-X | A-C | A-I | A-R | ||
A = Allowed use, subject to zoning clearance* SP = Site Plan Review UP(m) = Minor Use Permit required UP(M) = Major Use Permit required N = Use Not Allowed | Land Use Permit Required by Zone | Specific Use Requirements or Performance Standards | ||||
A-N | A-X | A-C | A-I | A-R | ||
RESIDENTIAL USES | ||||||
Primary farm dwelling including duplex | A | A | N | N | A | |
Ancillary (second) dwelling | A | A | N | N | UP(m) | |
More than two dwellings, including manufactured homes | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | N | N | |
Caretaker residence | SP | SP | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(z) |
Guest house | SP/UP(m) | SP/UP(m) | N | N | SP/ UP(m) | See Table 8-2.506 |
Farm worker housing | A/SP | A/SP | N | UP(m) | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(aa) |
Group/home care ( 6 or less beds) | A | A | A | A | A | See Sec. 8-2.506(f) |
Group/home care (7 or more beds) | SP/UP(m) | SP/UP(m) | SP/UP(m) | SP/UP(m) | N | |
Emergency shelters | N | N | N | N | N | See Sec. 8-2.606(m) |
OTHER USES | ||||||
Child care (<9 children) | A | A | A | A | A | See Sec. 8-2.506(g) |
Child care (9 to 14 children) | SP/UP(m) | SP/UP(m) | N | N | N | |
Child care center (>14 children) | UP(m) | UP(m) | N | N | N | See Sec. 8-2.506(h) |
Artist studio | A | A | A | A | A | See Tables 8-2.504(b) and 506 |
Other accessory structures | A | A | A | A | A | |
Second or outdoor kitchen | SP | SP | N | N | SP | See Sec. 8-2.506(b)(7) |
Vehicle storage, personal use | SP | SP | N | N | N | |
Home occupations | A | A | N | N | A | See Sec. 8-2.306(ab) |
Cottage food operation | A | A | A | A | A | See Sec. 8-2.506(k) |
Cemeteries, crematoriums, mausoleums | N | N | N | N | N | |
Private schools, churches, non-profit organizations, fraternal organizations | UP(M) | UP(M) | N | N | N | See Sec. 8-2.306(ac) |
Cannabis cultivation, personal use | See Cannabis Land Use Ordinance, Article 14 | |||||
* An “allowed use” does not require a land use permit, but is still subject to permit requirements of other Yolo County divisions such as Building, Environmental Health, and Public Works.
(Ord. 1445, eff. August 14, 2014; as amended by § 4, Ord. 1466, eff. March 24, 2016; as amended by § 2, Ord. 1494, eff. January 11, 2018; as amended by § 2, Ord. 1522, eff. August 6, 2020)