43.1 ACCESSORY USES

43.1.1 Accessory uses as defined in this Code shall be permitted as appurtenant to any permitted use without the necessity of securing a Special Permit or Use Permit, unless particularly provided in this chapter, provided that no accessory building shall be erected and no accessory use shall be conducted on any property in any Unclassified (U) Zone where the General Plan designates the area for residential development or in any Residential (RS, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) Zone, unless and until the main building is erected and occupied, or until a Special Permit is secured. (Former Section INL#316-2; Ord. 1623 Sec. 1, 12/13/83; Amended by Ord. 1726, Sec. 1, 3/4/86)

43.1.2.1 Community Care Facilities. Community Care Facilities are a residential use of property for the purposes of zoning. No Use Permit or variance shall be required to establish such uses in any residential zone except as may be required of other residences which are located in the same zone and in which such uses are established. (See also, Section C: Index of Definitions of Language and Legal Terms, in this Chapter; “Family Day Care Home” and “Family Day Care Center”.) (Former Section INL#316-5.1; Added by Ord. 1842, Sec. 8, 8/ 16/88)

43.1.2.2 Family Day Care Center. A Family Day Care Center serving more than twelve (12) children (including children who reside at the home) shall be considered a residential use of the property for the purposes of zoning. A conditional use permit shall be required to establish such uses in residential zones.

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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(See also, Section C: Index of Definitions of Language and Legal Terms, in this Chapter, “Community Care Facility” and “Family Day Care Home”.) (Former Section INL#316-5.2; Added by Ord. 1842 Sec. 9, 8/16/88)

43.1.2.3 Family Day Care Home. A Family Day Care Home serving twelve (12) or fewer children (including children who reside at the home) shall be considered a residential use of the property for the purposes of zoning. No Use Permit or variance shall be required to establish such uses in any residential zone except as may be required of other residences which are located in the same zone and in which such services are established. (See also, Section C: Index of Definitions of Language and Legal Terms, in this Chapter, “Community Care Facility” and “Family Day Care Center”.) (Former Section INL#316-5.3; Added by Ord. 1842 Sec. 10, 8/16/88)

43.1.3 Permitted Agricultural Accessory Uses. The following accessory uses shall be permitted in the (AE) Agricultural Exclusive, (AG) Agriculture General, and (TPZ) Timber Production Zones: (See also, Permitted Agricultural Accessory Structures, Section 314-69.1) (Former Section INL#316-2.1; Added by Ord. 2189, Sec. 1, 2/9/ 99)

43.1.3.1 Windmills, not including windmills that produce energy for export off of the ranch or farm; (Former Section INL#316-2.1(1); Added by Ord. 2189, Sec. 1, 2/9/99)

43.1.3.2 Greenhouses which do not result in lot coverage exceeding 5 acres on lots 20 acres or larger in size, or exceeding 25% of the lot coverage for lots less than 20 acres in size, either individually or collectively, with or without a perimeter foundation, and without an improved floor or footpath which will preclude the agricultural use of the underlying soil. Greenhouses with an improved floor or footpath which will preclude the agricultural use of the underlying soil shall not be located on prime agricultural soils, but may be located on non-prime agricultural soils with a special permit. Concrete, asphalt, and similarly constructed footpaths are permitted within a greenhouse located on non-prime agricultural soils, and may be permitted on prime agricultural soils with a Special Permit. (Former Section INL#316-2.1(2); Added by Ord. 2189, Sec. 1, 2/9/99)

43.1.3.3 Silos; (Former Section INL#316-2.1(3); Added by Ord. 2189, Sec. 1, 2/9/99)

43.1.3.4 Tank Houses; (Former Section INL#316-2.1(4); Added by Ord. 2189, Sec. 1, 2/9/99)

43.1.3.5 Barns and outbuildings; (Former Section INL#316-2.1(5); Added by Ord. 2189, Sec. 1, 2/9/99)

43.1.3.6 Coops; (Former Section INL#316-2.1(6); Added by Ord. 2189, Sec. 1, 2/9/99)

43.1.3.7 Drainage facilities and structures. (Note: in the Coastal Zone these facilities and structures are subject to the following regulations, as applicable: Coastal Wetlands, Streams and Riparian Corridors Protection, Transitional Agricultural Lands, and Chapter 2: Procedures. (Former Section INL#316-2.1(7); Added by Ord. 2189, Sec. 1, 2/9/99)

43.1.3.8 Roadside Sales of Agricultural Products. Operation of a single roadside stand for the display and sales of only those products produced on the premises, or on other property owned or leased by the vendor, as permitted by these regulations, provided that the stand does not exceed an area of 200 square feet, and is

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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located not nearer than fifteen (15) feet from any street or highway right-of-way. (Former Section INL#316-2.1(8); Added by Ord. 2189, Sec. 1, 2/9/99)

43.1.3.9 Public Stables for 6 horses or less. Public stables for 7 or more horses may be permitted with a Special Permit. (Former Section INL#316-2.1(9); Added by Ord. 2189, Sec. 1, 2/9/99)

43.1.3.10 Other Necessary and Customary Uses. Accessory uses and structures in addition to those identified above, which are necessary and customarily associated with, and are appropriate, incidental, and subordinate to agricultural activity as determined by the Planning Director. Buildings or structures, which result in lot coverage exceeding 5 acres on lots 20 acres or larger, or exceeding 25% lot coverage on lots less than 20 acres, either individually or collectively, shall not be permitted as agricultural accessory structures and shall only be permitted with a Special Permit. (Former Section INL#316-2.1(10); Added by Ord. 2189, Sec. 1, 2/9/99)