On Tuesday, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is set to consider adoption of an ordinance for agritourism uses in agricultural zoning districts.
The ordinance establishes size and location standards, sales requirements, and other regulations governing agritourism uses in agricultural zoning districts.
This ordinance has been in the works since February 2020 after its Agricultural Land Use Policy Update Report where a total of 55 recommendations were issued to reform Agricultural Land Use Policies in Contra Costa County To Improve Both Economic Vitality and Sustainability”.
However, this dates back to 2016 when then Supervisor Mary Piepho approved worked to identify future consideration of how the county could take actions to promote and incentivize the agricultural sustainability and economic vitality—this was carried on by now Supervisor Diane Burgis beginning in February 2013.
18 recommendations to promote and preserve agriculture
Enable and set standards for various types of agritourism uses
- lodging accommodations
- food service
- updating County’s winery policies
- hosting large events
Promote agriculture in Contra Costa County
- equestrian and bike trails to connect farms
- allowing equestrian facilities within additional agricultural districts
- additional funding for signage to promote agriculture in the County
- updating the County’s Sign Ordinance
Broader policy reforms
- establishing mitigation requirements for conversion of agricultural land,
- new efforts to address rural blight and illegal dumping,
- opportunities to reduce impacts of rural development on agriculture,
- facilitate communication between farming community and regulatory agencies,
- Improve permitting for agricultural uses
- consider a noise ordinance
Permitting:
Ministerial Permit:
- farm stand
- farm stay
- farm dinner
- small winery without a tasting/on-site sales area and that will not host large events
- small olive oil mill without a tasting/on-site sales area and that will not host large events
Land Use Permit:
- agricamping
- bed and breakfast
- farm market
- farm-to-table restaurant
- large olive oil mill
- large winery
- small olive oil mill with a tasting/on-site sales area
- small winery with a tasting/on-site sales area
REQUIREMENTS FOR LODGING AND FOOD SERVICE USES
Minimum lot area, maximum guests, maximum sales/floor area, frequency of activities
- Noise restriction – quiet hrs: 10 pm – 7 am
- Exterior light directed downward and away from properties
- Agricultural promotion and guest education
- *Requirements are for the following uses: Farm Stay, Agricamping, Bed and Breakfast, Farm Dinner, and Farm to Table.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BED AND BREAKFAST AND FARM-TO-TABLE USES
- At least 80% of parcel is engaged in agricultural activities and kept free of structures shown on a farm plan
- Served by a retail water supplier or within boundaries of the East Contra Costa County Groundwater Subbasin
- Minimum distance between certain agritourism uses
- Minimum requirements for food grown on-site and within CCC
REQUIREMENTS FOR WINERIES AND OLIVE OIL MILLS
- Minimum 25% of production must be from fruit grown on-site.
- Minimum 50% of production must be from fruit grown CCC
Documents:
- Attachment A – Ordinance No. 2024-06 Agritourism
- Attachment B Revised Table of Agriourism Uses_030524
- Attachment C – Report on Recommendations on Reforming Agricultural Land Use Policies
- Attachment D – County Planning Commission Staff Report February 22, 2023
- Attachment E – County Planning Commission Staff Report June 7, 2023
- Attachment F – County Planning Commission Staff Report January 24, 2024
- Attachment G- Slide Presentation
If You Go
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
March 5, 2024 at 9:00 AM
1025 Escobar St, Martinez CA
Agenda – click here
