Accessory agricultural support structure
“Accessory agricultural support structure” shall mean an uninhabited agricultural building or facility that is incidental and accessory to the primary agricultural use of the subject property. Such structures include, but are not limited to, the following: farm office, barn, roadside stand, and reservoir.
Accessory use
“Accessory use” shall mean a use lawfully permitted in the zone, which use is incidental to, and subordinate to, the principal use of the site or of a main building on the site and serving a purpose which does not change the character of the principal use, and which is compatible with other principal uses in the same zone and with the purpose of such zone.
Agricultural airfield or landing strip
Any area of land or water used for the landing and take-off of agricultural aircraft as well as any appurtenant areas used for airport buildings, operations, and related facilities. Also includes heliports used for agricultural purposes.
Agricultural and seed research
“Agricultural and seed research” shall mean industrial or scientific uses subordinate to, and in support of agriculture, and include product processing plants and agriculturally based laboratories or facilities for the production or research of food, fiber, seeds, animal husbandry or medicine, and may include administrative office space in support of the operation.
Agricultural building or structure
An uninhabited building or structure used to shelter farm animals, farm implements, supplies, products and/or equipment; and that contains no residential use, is not open to the public, and is incidental and accessory to the principal use of the premise. An agricultural building may contain processing activities as a direct result of the farming operation on the premises.
Agricultural processing facility
A fixed establishment performing any processing or packaging of crops after harvest, whether or not value is added, for the onsite preparation of market or for further processing and packaging elsewhere, including but not limited to: alfalfa and hay cubing; corn shelling; drying of corn, rice, hay, fruits and vegetables; pre-cooling and packaging of fresh or farm-dried fruits and vegetables; grain cleaning and custom grinding; custom grist mills; custom milling of flour, feed and grain; sorting, grading and packing of fruits and vegetables; canning, freezing, or preserving fruits and vegetables; tree nut hulling and shelling; and alcohol fuel production.
Agricultural support services
“Agricultural support services” are industrial, wholesale trade, warehousing, and trucking uses directly supporting agricultural activities and products in the unincorporated areas of Yolo County. Examples of “agricultural support services” include the manufacturing, assembly, or repair (but not unlimited retail sales) of agricultural equipment; the manufacturing, storage, distribution, transport, and wholesaling of fertilizer and agricultural chemicals; and the storage, distribution, transport, and wholesaling of other agricultural products from Yolo County. “Agricultural support services” do not include any activities or uses that serve primarily non-agricultural or urban customers. Specifically, trucking firms and industrial shops that do not serve local agricultural customers are prohibited from locating in any of the agricultural areas of Yolo County.
Agricultural support services, large and small
Large agricultural support services are those uses that occupy more than five (5) acres of land or more than sixty thousand (60,000) square feet of indoor space, and/or that generate more than sixty (60) truck trips per day. Small agricultural support services are those that do not meet any of these thresholds.
Agriculture
The use of land for the raising of crops, trees or animals, including farming, dairying, pasturage, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, apiaries, and animal and poultry husbandry, and the necessary accessory uses thereto; provided, however, the operation of any such accessory uses shall be secondary to that of the normal agricultural activities. For the purposes of this section, “accessory use” shall mean supply, service, storage, and processing areas and facilities for any other agricultural land. The uses set forth in this section shall not include plants for the reduction of animal matter.
Agri-tourism
Agri-tourism uses include, but are not limited to, wine, beer, and olive oil tasting, sale of local agricultural products, seasonal and permanent farm stands, "Yolo Stores," farm tours, lodging (including bed and breakfasts and farm stays), and event centers that accommodate receptions, music, and limited dining including farm dinners.
Ancillary dwelling
A structure designed, intended, or used for rural residential purposes, as elsewhere provided for herein, and including “Granny Units,” that is located appurtenant to, clustered with, and on the same agricultural parcel as the main residential facilities. The term does not include farm worker housing.
Animal hospital
A building wherein the care and treatment of sick or injured dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and similar small animals are performed.
Animal keeping
The keeping, feeding or raising of animals as a commercial agricultural venture, avocation, hobby or school project, either as a principal land use or subordinate to a residential use. Includes the keeping of common farm animals, small-animal specialties, bee farms, aviaries, worm farms, household pets, etc.
Animal processing
The slaughtering and processing of animals for commercial purposes, including rendering plants.
Animal unit
A measure of numbers of livestock equivalent to a mature cow which is based on the concept that a one thousand (1,000) pound cow, with or without an unweaned calf, is one (1) animal unit.
The following measurements can be used to determine animal unit equivalency:
Type of Animal | Animal Unit Equivalent | Number of Animals Equal to One Animal Unit |
Mature cow, with or without calf, or animal of similar size | 1.0 | 1 |
Butcher or breeding swine over 55 pounds | 0.25 | 4 |
Mature sheep, goats, or animal of similar size | 0.1 | 10 |
Rabbits or other small animal of similar size | 0.02 | 50 |
Fowl or poultry over 3 pounds | 0.01 | 100 |
Appurtenant use or activity
An appurtenant use is one that is an addition to, or attached to, and is compatible with, the primary use or activity on the parcel.
Barn
A building used to store farm vehicles and equipment, as a warehouse for farm products and supplies, to house livestock, or to conduct maintenance activities.
Bed and Breakfast (B&B)/lodging
A single-family dwelling, and accessory buildings, cottages and bungalows, with an owner or manager in residence or on-site, containing no more than ten (10) guest rooms used, let or hired out for transient night-to-night lodging, and that meets all of the standards in Section 8-2.306(l). Food service, if provided, is restricted to breakfast or a similar early morning meal, subject to applicable County Health Department regulations.
Campground
Land or premises which is used, or intended to be used, let, or rented for transient occupancy by persons traveling by automobile or otherwise, or by transient persons using tents, recreational vehicles, or similar quarters. A campground may include permanent amenities, such as structures, bathroom facilities, running water and proper sewage disposal.
Campground, primitive
A seasonal campground that does not require grading activity for the placement of permanent improvements or amenities, such as bathroom facilities, running water or sewage disposal fields. Informal overnight camping in fields or orchards in connection with single annual events is not covered by this definition.
Caretaker units
A permanent residence, secondary and accessory to an existing main dwelling, for persons employed principally onsite for purposes of care and protection of persons, property, plants, animals, equipment, or other circumstances.
Composting facility
A commercial/industrial facility where organic matter is transformed into soil or fertilizer by biological decomposition. Composting activities accessory to an onsite residential or agricultural use are excluded from this definition.
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO)
An agricultural animal feeding operation (AFO) where animals are kept and raised in confined situations. Feed is brought to the animals rather than the animals grazing or otherwise seeking feed in pastures, fields, or on rangeland. An AFO is a CAFO if: 1) animals are confined for at least forty-five (45) days in a twelve (12) month period; 2) there is no grass or other vegetation in the confinement area during the normal growing season; and 3) the operation meets specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory thresholds. A CAFO, regulated by the State under the authority of the EPA, may require a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit.
Conservation easement
A non-possessory interest in real property imposing limitations or affirmative obligations, the purpose of which includes retaining or protecting natural, scenic, or open space values of real property; assuring its availability for agricultural, forest, recreational, or open space use; protecting natural resources; or maintaining air or water quality.
Cottage food operation
Cottage food operations involve the preparation of low risk food products in a private home, as defined and regulated by the Environmental Health Division according to the requirements of State law (AB 1616, 2012, the California Homemade Food Act).
Cottages
Bungalows or cottages, attached or unattached, that are part of an approved bed and breakfast use, that are located within an agricultural area on agricultural-zoned lands, and that are incidental to permitted agri-tourism uses located on the parcel or in the immediate agricultural area. Cottages may be newly constructed structures or existing buildings that are renovated for habitable use. Cottages are not motel rooms and are not used to house permanent, year-round residents.
Covered habitat mitigation project
A "covered habitat mitigation project" is any mitigation bank, Mitigation Credit Agreement entered into pursuant to an adopted Regional Conservation Investment Strategy, or other project within the County that is undertaken to authorize mitigation in Yolo County for impacts to biological resources occurring outside of the County. A "covered habitat mitigation project" also includes all other habitat restoration, creation, enhancement, or preservation activities (including the sale of a conservation easement or interest therein) carried out within the County partly or entirely in connection with projects or other actions impacting biological resources in locations outside of the County. This includes, among other things, any such project that implements actions described in a Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Communities Conservation Plan or in a biological opinion issued by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or other Federal agency. This term is to be interpreted broadly, consistent with the intent of Ordinance No. 1426, to include all projects, plans, and activities that are substantially similar to any of the foregoing, regardless of whether they are specifically described herein.
Cultivation
The growing and harvesting of agricultural produce for food and fiber. Crop cultivation includes farms, orchards, groves, greenhouses, and wholesale nurseries primarily engaged in growing crops, plants, vines, or trees and their seeds.
Dairy
A department, establishment, or facility concerned with the business of production of milk, butter, or cheese, including the sale or distribution of milk and milk products, from animals. The feeding and care for dairy stock may be by feed lot, pasture or grazing, or any combination thereof, as elsewhere provided for herein. A dairy facility does not include the incidental feeding, breeding, raising, and keeping of livestock for the production of milk when used for 4-H, FFA, or other youth projects.
Dry land farming
The practice of crop production without irrigation.
Exempt habitat mitigation projects
“Exempt habitat mitigation projects” are those that are defined as exempt under Section 10-10.301(c) of Chapter 10 of Title 10 of this Code (the Habitat Mitigation Ordinance), and all other habitat projects that do not qualify as “covered habitat mitigation projects.”
Farm
Under Section 52262 of the Food and Agricultural Code, a farm is defined as: “a place of agricultural production which has annual sales of agricultural products of $1,000 or more.”
Farm office
A private administrative office within an enclosed building for the purpose of running a farming operation.
Farm stay
A form of agricultural tourism where a farmer or rancher hosts guests or tourists at his/her working farm or ranch to familiarize the visitors with the daily activities associated with farming or ranching. Farm stays include six (6) or fewer guestrooms, or accommodations for no more than fifteen (15) guests, in a single family dwelling, or main farm house, or accessory guest house, provided as part of a farming operation, with an on-site farmer in residence, that includes all meals provided in the price of the lodging, and that meets all of the standards in Section 8-2.306(m).
Farm worker housing
Any living quarters, dwelling, boardinghouse, bunkhouse, mobile home, or other housing accommodation maintained in connection with any work or place where work is being performed and the premises upon which such accommodations are situated, and/or the areas set aside and provided for the accommodation of farm workers.
Feed lot or animal feed yard
(1) “Feed lot” shall mean any premises used principally for the raising or keeping of livestock in a confined feeding area, such as a dairy or stockyard.
(2) “Confined feeding area” shall mean any livestock feeding, handling, or holding operation or feed yard where animals are concentrated in an area:
(i) which is not normally used for pasture or for growing crops and in which animal wastes may accumulate; or
(ii) where the space per animal unit is less than six hundred (600) square feet; or
(iii) dry lot feeding, where animals are confined in an enclosed area, and fed.
(3) “Feed lot” is not intended to otherwise preclude the raising of animals as part of a general farming and/or livestock operation or as an FFA, 4-H, or other student project in an agricultural zone.
(4) “General farming and/or livestock operation” shall mean one in which the confined feeding of animals is an incidental part of, or complimentary to the total livestock operation. Normal grazing activities for pastured livestock are excluded from this definition.
(5) A lot used for the feeding and rearing of poultry (poultry farms) shall be considered a “feed lot.”
Fowl or poultry ranch
A confined animal feeding operation consisting of a lot or building or combination of lots and buildings intended for the raising and keeping of poultry for egg production (laying hens) or meat production (broilers). A poultry farm does not include the incidental raising and keeping of poultry for egg production or meat production when used for 4-H, FFA, and other youth projects.
Grazing
The keeping of cattle, sheep, or other similar animals on fields or rangeland for the purpose of grazing and feeding.
Greenhouse
“Greenhouse” shall mean an agricultural structure, with transparent or translucent roof and/or wall panels intended for the raising of agricultural plants. “Greenhouse” shall also mean a residential accessory structure, with transparent or translucent roof and/or wall panels intended for the raising of household plants.
Hog farm
Any premises used exclusively for the raising or keeping of more than fifty (50) hogs, under confinement, that are raised, fed, or fattened for the purposes of sale and consumption by other than the owner of the site. The term “hog farm” is not intended to otherwise preclude the raising of hogs as part of a general farming operation or as an F.F.A., 4-H, or other student project in an agricultural zone.
Home occupation, rural
The gainful employment of the occupant(s) of a rural dwelling, with such employment activity being subordinate to the residential and/or agricultural use of the property, subject to provisions in Section 8-2.306(ab).
Incidental
"Incidental" shall mean a use or activity that is accompanying but not a major part of a primary use.
Kennel
Any enclosure, premises, building, structure, lot or area, except where reasonably necessary to support an agricultural use (i.e., to contain herding dogs), where five (5) or more dogs or other small domestic animals, which are not sick or injured and are ten (10) weeks in age or older, are boarded for compensation, cared for, trained for compensation, kept for sale, or bred for sale, or ten (10) or more dogs or other small domestic animals that are ten (10) weeks of age or older which are kept and maintained as pets, “rescue” animals, or for any other non-commercial purpose (also see “Animal hospital.”)
Manufactured home
A transportable prefabricated structure designed to be moved from one place to another and to be used for residential purposes. Also commonly referred to as a “modular” or mobile home. Also see definition in Section 8-2.1013.
Mining
Resource extraction establishments primarily engaged in mining, developing mines, or exploring for minerals, or surface mines extracting crushed and broken stone, dimension stone or sand and gravel.
Nurseries and landscaping materials
Commercial agricultural establishments engaged in the large-scale, year-round production of agricultural and ornamental plants and other nursery products, grown under cover or outdoors, and sold to the public through wholesale or retail sales. Small-scale seasonal nurseries that are incidental to the main agricultural use of the property are not included in this definition.
Off-road vehicle courses
Rural areas set aside for the use of off-road vehicle enthusiasts including dirt bike, enduro, hill climbing, or other off-road motorcycle courses; also, rural areas for competitive events utilizing four-wheel drive vehicles. Does not include sports assembly facilities, or simple access roads which are usable by only four-wheel drive vehicles.
Oil and gas well drilling operation
Resource extraction establishments primarily engaged in recovering oil from oil sands and shales and producing natural gasoline and cycle condensate. Activities include exploration, drilling, oil and gas well operation and maintenance, operation of natural gas and cycle plants, the mining and extraction of oil from oil sand and shales, and on-site processing only to the extent necessary to permit extraction.
Open space
Land subject to valid restrictions against housing or other urban development, the maintenance of which in its natural or protected states is necessary for the enhancement of living conditions in Yolo County.
Pasture
The grazing of livestock.
Permanent crop
A crop produced from plants, such as orchards and vineyards, that lasts for several seasons and need not be replanted after each harvest.
Primary farm dwelling
A structure designed, intended, and used for residential purposes, as elsewhere provided for herein, including manufactured or mobile homes. It shall not include an ancillary dwelling; a secondary dwelling; a guest house; or farm labor housing.
Regional agricultural processing facilities
Regional agricultural processing facilities include heavy agricultural processing of products from the greater local area, including outside Yolo County, such as nut hulling and rice mills, or large-scale wineries and olive processing plants.
Roadside or produce stand
A business established and operated for the display and sale of agricultural products grown on the premises, or on adjacent lands or other lands in Yolo County owned or leased by the operator, which may include a limited amount of prepackaged food, such as preserved, baked or packaged products from crops grown onsite that have been prepared onsite, subject to all applicable health codes.
Rural recreation
Outdoor sporting or leisure activities that require large open space areas and do not have any significant detrimental impact on agricultural use of lands that are in the general vicinity of the rural recreation activity. Rural recreation activities shall include, but are not limited to: the shooting of skeet, trap, and sporting clays; archery; gun, hunting, or fishing, clubs; sport parachuting; riding; picnicking; nature study; viewing or enjoying historical, archaeological, scenic, natural or scientific sites; health resorts, rafting, hiking, backpacking, bicycling, or touring excursions; or camping.
Slaughterhouse
An establishment where animals are butchered.
Small animal farms
Farms or ranches which raise small animals for sale, such as rabbits or other fur-bearing animals.
Solar energy system
A photovoltaic or other system that converts sunlight into electrical power for the primary purpose of: (a) resale or off-site use, or (b) on-site use and not for resale.
Special event
A "special event" or "event" is a community or private gathering such as a harvest festival, reception, farm dinner, corporate retreat, party, seasonal tasting, or rodeo, that is held at a special event facility/tasting room.
Special event facility/tasting room
The use of land and/or facilities, for which a fee is normally charged, for a community or private event that is held on the premises of an agricultural property. A special event facility can include a tasting room, in which the general public, customers or guests may taste and purchase wine, beer, olive oil, cider, food items, or other incidental products commonly sold at such tasting rooms. A tasting room may be located at a vineyard, orchard, or other agricultural property, without the need for a winery, brewery, distillery, or olive mill facility or other processing facility to be located upon the premises.
Stable, commercial
A stable, other than a private stable, where sixteen (16) or more equine animals are boarded, that are not owned or leased pursuant to a written agreement, by either the property owner or resident. Commercial stables may include the retail or wholesale sales of tack, feed, and other equestrian products. Shows, exhibitions, or other public/quasi events related to equine animals may be included as a part of the commercial stable.
Stable, private
Those facilities used for the shelter, breeding, and/or training of horses and similar equine animals for the use of the residents and their guests. Private stables may include the boarding of fifteen (15) or fewer equine animals that are not owned or leased pursuant to a written agreement, by either the property owner or resident. Private stables that hold more than six (6) events per year, or generate more than one hundred (100) vehicle trips per event, shall be considered a commercial stable, regardless of the number of horses boarded. Private stables that hold large rodeo events shall be defined as a “special event facility.”
Stockyard
A confined animal facility intended for the temporary confinement and care of livestock for the purpose of selling or trading, prior to being slaughtered or shipped to market.
Tourism
That industry which promotes and accommodates the recreational touring, sight-seeking, leisure travel, and sojourns by individuals and groups within Yolo County, including eco-tourism and agri-tourism.
Vehicle trip
One vehicle trip is a vehicle traveling to a destination and back, i.e., a round trip.
Wetlands
The area and the plant communities that include fresh or salt water marshes, generally found in areas of shallow, standing, or sluggishly moving water.
Wildlife habitat
The environmental factors that support one or more plant or wildlife species at a particular place or region, providing food, water cover, and space needed for survival and reproduction.
Wind energy systems
A wind driven machine that converts wind energy into electrical power for the primary purpose of: (a) resale or off-site use, or (b) on-site use and not for resale.
Winery
A building, or portion thereof, used for the crushing of grapes, the fermenting and/or processing of grape juice, the aging, processing, storage, and bottling of wine, or the warehousing and shipping of wine. It shall also include accessory uses, such as: related office, laboratory, wholesale, and retail sales activities and wine tasting and winery tours.
Yolo Store
A “Yolo Store” is a structure, wherein the majority of the items offered for sale are primarily grown or manufactured in Yolo County (e.g., out-of-county bottled wines, but made from Yolo grapes, or locally grown nursery products, etc.).
(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 § 5, Ord. 1497, eff. June 7, 2018; as amended by § 2, Ord. 1501, eff. August 23, 2018)