Kings County Zoning Code § 414 Conversion of a Milk Cow

A. When a new goat/sheep dairy is proposed to occupy the site of a previously operated milk cow dairy that has been closed for less than two years, no new zoning permit will be required as long as the animal unit (AU) count does not exceed that of the previously existing dairy herd.
B. Prior to beginning operation of a new goat/sheep dairy at a closed milk cow dairy site, the operator shall provide the Community Development Agency with documentation that the previous milk cow dairy was in operation within the previous two years, the herd size of the dairy’s herd and the proposed goat/sheep herd size.
C. The request for conversion of the milk cow dairy to goat/sheep dairy shall be made in a letter from the applicant providing the information shown above as well as any other pertinent details concerning the proposed goat/sheep dairy. The letter shall be signed by both the applicant and all of the legal owners of the property on which the dairy exists.
D. A letter will be prepared by the Zoning Administrator to the operator and the property owners which includes the necessary finding for the compliance determination and which documents the conversion of the facility from a milk cow dairy to a goat/sheep dairy. The letter shall include the maximum goat/sheep herd size allowed on the facility based on the conversion factor of seven goats/sheep per each dairy cow previously permitted on the milk cow dairy. The purpose of the letter is to document in the record that the new goat/sheep dairy meets the requirements of this Development Code, thus eliminating confusion concerning the right of the goat/sheep dairy to operate in the future.
E. The operator of the new goat/sheep dairy is responsible for contacting California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB) to determine whether there is a valid waste discharge permit in place and with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) to determine if any additional requirements are needed in order to operate the goat/sheep dairy. The operator is also responsible for contacting any other agencies that may be required to be contacted to obtain permits necessary to operate the dairy.
F. In the event the milk cow dairy has been closed for two years or more, or the applicant is unable to furnish documentation showing that the milk cow dairy has been closed for less than two years, then a new zoning permit is required.

A Agricultural Zoning Districts

Art. 4 Page 4 - 21

DEVELOPMENT CODE