Contra Costa County Municipal Code Ch. 824-4 Grower Stands, Farm Stands, and Farm Markets

The purpose of this chapter is to establish zoning regulations to allow for the direct marketing of farm products from agricultural producers to consumers, which the California Legislature has found benefits the agricultural community and the consumer. (Food and Agricultural Code, sections 47000 and following.) This chapter is intended to allow facilities that are accessory to on-site agricultural operations where agricultural products are produced to sell these products as specified, and is not intended to encourage the establishment of traditional retail stores or convenience markets in agricultural zoning districts.

(Ord. No. 2024-06, § 2, 3-5-24)

(a) A grower stand, farm stand, or farm market may consist of one or more outdoor sales display areas, one or more structures with an indoor sales area, or both.

(b) The total sales area of a grower stand or farm stand, including all outdoor and indoor sales areas, may not exceed one thousand five hundred square feet.

(c) The total sales area of a farm market, including all outdoor and indoor sales areas, may not exceed three thousand five hundred square feet.

(Ord. No. 2024-06, § 2, 3-5-24)

(a) Grower Stands.

(1) A grower stand may sell farm products produced on-site or proximate to the site. Vending machines that dispense bottled or canned drinks may also be located at a grower stand.

(2) The sale at a grower stand of any of the following is prohibited: value-added farm products; non-agricultural items, except for bottled or canned drinks dispensed from vending machines; and farm products not produced on-site or proximate to the site.

(b) Farm Stands.

(1) A farm stand may sell farm products produced on-site or proximate to the site.

(2) Up to forty percent of the total sales area at a farm stand may be used for the sale of any or all of the following: value-added farm products produced on-site or proximate to the site; farm products not produced on-site or proximate to the site; and non-agricultural items. No more than ten percent of the total sales area of a farm stand may be used for the sale of either or both of the following: non- agricultural items and farm products not produced on-site or proximate to the site.

(c) Farm Markets.

(1) A farm market may sell farm products produced on-site or proximate to the site and value-added farm products produced on-site or proximate to the site.

(2) Up to twenty percent of the total sales area at a farm market may be used for the sale of either or both of the following: non-agricultural items and farm products not produced on-site or proximate to the site.

(d) No petroleum products or tobacco may be sold or dispensed at any grower stand, farm stand, or farm market.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in this division, nothing may be sold from a motorized vehicle at any grower stand, farm stand, or farm market unless the vehicle is owned by the property owner and all sales from the vehicle are in compliance with this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2024-06, § 2, 3-5-24)