Ferndale Zoning Code § 5.13 Agriculture-Exclusive or AE Zone

The Agriculture Exclusive or AE Zone is intended to be applied in fertile areas in which agriculture is and should be the desirable predominant use and in which the protection of this use from encroachment from incompatible uses is essential to the general welfare. The following regulations shall apply in all Agriculture-Exclusive or AE Zones:

• 5.13.1 Principal permitted uses:

  • a. All general agricultural uses, except those specified in 5.16.2.

  • b. Farm dwellings, nurseries, greenhouses and roadside stands. c. Vacation rentals.

  • d. (Begin section amended by Ord. 2025-04 on 8/20/2025) Small employee housing.

  • e. Large employee housing, including employee housing meeting the requirements, as determined by the City Manager or their designee, set forth in California Health and Safety Code Section 17021.8, as may be amended. Review of determinations that employee housing meets the requirements set forth in Health and Safety Code section 17021.8 shall be processed and considered by the planning commission in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 17021.8(c). (End section amended by Ord. 2025-04 on 8/20/2025)

• 5.13.2 Uses permitted with a Use Permit:

  • a. Hog farms, turkey farms, frog farms and fur farms.

  • b. Animal feed yards and sales yards.

  • c. Agricultural and timber products processing plants.

  • d. Rental and sales of irrigation equipment and storage incidental thereto. e. Animal hospitals.

  • f. Bed and breakfast inns.

• 5.13.3 Other regulations:

  • a. No subdivisions or residential developments, whether by official map, record or survey or recorded subdivision, shall be permitted in Agriculture-Exclusive or AE Zones.

  • b. Minimum lot area: 4 acres.

  • c. Minimum lot widths: 100 feet.

  • d. Maximum ground coverage: 35%.

  • e. Minimum yards: front, 30 feet; rear, 20 feet; side, 10% of the lot width on each side, but not more than 20 feet shall be required.

  • f. Farm outbuildings shall not be less than 20 feet from any dwelling unit on the premises.

2/23/2025

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City of Ferndale

Zoning Ordinance 02-02

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