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Title III›Division 1 — PLANNING›Part 1 — USES AND ACTIVITIES

43.1 ACCESSORY USES

Humboldt County Zoning Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-07-09 · Humboldt County

(See also, Section 313-69.1, Accessory Structures)

43.1.1 Purpose. The purpose of these provisions is to specify the uses that are permitted as accessory to the permitted uses in the principal zones, and to establish the regulations that apply to the permitted accessory uses. (Former Section CZ#A314-2(A); Ord. 1623, Sec. 1, 12/13/83; amended by Ord. 1726, Sec. 1, 3/4/86)

43.1.2 Accessory Uses Encompassed By Principal Use. In addition to the principal uses expressly set forth in a use classification, each use classification shall be deemed to include such accessory uses as are specifically identified by these regulations, and such other accessory uses as are necessarily and customarily associated with, and are appropriate, incidental, and subordinate to, such principal uses. The Director shall determine if a proposed accessory use is necessarily and customarily associated with, and is appropriate, incidental, and subordinate to the principal use, based on the Director’s evaluation of the resemblance of the proposed accessory use to those uses specifically identified as accessory to the principal uses and the relationship between the proposed accessory use and the principal use. Where these regulations are unclear, a Special Permit may be submitted and processed to a decision for a proposed accessory use per Section 311-4 of this Code. (Former Section CZ#A314-2(B))

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

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Title III Land Use and Development | Humboldt County Code

43.1.3 Accessory Uses Subject to Regulations. Accessory uses shall be regulated in the same manner as the principal uses within each use classification, except as otherwise expressly provided by these regulations. (Former Section CZ#A314-2(C); Ord. 519, Sec. 601, 5/11/65; Ord. 1662, Sec. l, 11/27/84)

43.1.4 Permitted Accessory Uses in All Zones. The following accessory uses shall be permitted in all zones, except as otherwise stated, and shall be subject to all other County permit requirements, including grading permits for grading projects: (Former Section CZ#A314-2(D))

43.1.4.1 Grading, fill or excavation or major vegetation removal for the construction of any building or structure for which a necessary building permit has been issued. (Former Section CZ#A314-2(D)(4))

43.1.4.2 Grading, fill or excavation which is all or part of a grading operation necessary to bring the contours of a proposed land subdivision to the grade shown on an approved tentative subdivision plan. (Former Section CZ#A314-2(D)(5))

43.1.4.3 Excavation, grading or streambed skimming that is exempt from provisions of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Regulations and which is normally accessory to a principal permitted use type in the adopted zoning district. (Former Section CZ#A314-2(D)(6))

43.1.4.4 Temporary accessory uses as permitted by the Temporary Use regulations in this Code. (Former Section CZ#A314-2(D)(7))

43.1.5 Permitted Residential Accessory Uses. The following accessory uses shall be permitted in residential zones: (Former Section CZ#A314-2(E))

  • 43.1.5.1 Family Day Care; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(E)(1))

  • 43.1.5.2 Community Care Facilities; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(E)(2))

43.1.5.3 Home Occupations; (Former Section CZ#A314-2(E)(7))

43.1.5.4 Animal keeping as permitted under the provisions of Section 313-43.3, Animal Keeping. (Former Section CZ#A314-2(E)(8))

43.1.6 Permitted Agricultural Accessory Uses. The following accessory uses shall be permitted in the (AE) Agricultural Exclusive, (TC) Commercial Timberland, (TPZ) Timber Production, and (RA) Rural Residential Agricultural Zones: (Former Section CZ#A314-2(G))

43.1.6.1 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 two hundred (200) square feet, and is located not nearer than fifteen (15) feet from any street or highway right-of-way. Roadside sales of agriculture products shall not be allowed on RA zoned parcels. (See also, Section 313-69.1, Accessory Structures.) (Former Section CZ#A314-2(G)(8))

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

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Title III Land Use and Development | Humboldt County Code

43.1.6.2 Other Necessary and Customary Uses. Accessory uses in addition to those identified in this Section, which are necessary and customarily associated with, and are appropriate, incidental, and subordinate to agricultural activity, as determined by the Director. (Former Section CZ#A314-2(G)(10))

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▸ Contents — Humboldt County Zoning Code
Humboldt County Zoning Code
  1. ▸ Title III
    Overview
    1. ▸ Division 1 — PLANNING
      Overview
      1. Chapter 2 — ADMINISTRATION, PROCEDURES, AMENDMENTS AND ENFORCE…
      2. Chapter 1
      3. Chapter 2
      4. Chapter 3
      5. Part 1 — PRINCIPAL ZONES
      6. Part 2 — SPECIAL AREA COMBINING ZONES
      7. ▸ Part 1 — USES AND ACTIVITIES
        Overview
        1. 43.1 ACCESSORY USES
        2. 43.2 ALLOWED AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES NOT A NUISANCE (“RIGHT TO…
        3. 43.3 ANIMAL KEEPING
        4. 45.1 COASTAL-DEPENDENT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
        5. 45.2 COTTAGE INDUSTRY
        6. 50.1 HOME OCCUPATION AND ADDRESSES OF CONVENIENCE
        7. 55.1 INDOOR CULTIVATION OF CANNABIS FOR PERSONAL USE
        8. 55.2 OUTDOOR CULTIVATION OF CANNABIS FOR PERSONAL USE
        9. 55.3 MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSARIES
        10. 55.4 COMMERCIAL CULTIVATION, PROCESSING, MANUFACTURING, DISTRI…
        11. 55.5 INDUSTRIAL HEMP LAND USE REGULATIONS
        12. 57.1 OIL AND GAS DRILLING AND PROCESSING
        13. 61.05 SHORT-TERM RENTALS
        14. 61.2 SURFACE MINING AND RECLAMATION
        15. 62.1 TEMPORARY USES
        16. 64.1 VEGETATION REMOVAL, MAJOR
      8. Part 2 — STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES
      9. Part 3 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
      10. Part 4 — REGULATIONS THAT APPLY IN SENSITIVE HABITATS AND HAZA…
      11. Part 5 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
      12. Part 1 — CLASSIFICATION OF USE TYPES
      13. Part 2 — GLOSSARY OF USE TYPES
      14. Part 1 — PRINCIPAL ZONES
      15. Part 2 — REGULATIONS FOR THE COMBINING ZONES
      16. Part 1 — USES AND ACTIVITIES
      17. Part 2 — STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES
      18. Part 3 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
      19. Part 4 — (SECTION RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE)
      20. Part 5 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
      21. Part 1 — CLASSIFICATION OF USE TYPES
      22. Part 2 — GLOSSARY OF USE TYPES
  2. Title III — LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT

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