Division 19.08 — AGRICULTURAL AND RESOURCE ZONING DISTRICTS

This Division lists the uses of land that may be allowed within the agricultural and resource zoning districts established by Section 19.04.020 (Zoning Districts Established). It also determines the type of land use permit/approval required for each use, and provides general standards for site development.

(Ord. No. 1576, § 2 (Exh. A, amd.), 10-23-2012)

The agricultural and resource zoning districts are provided to help preserve and maintain agricultural land, natural open space areas, and conserve natural resources while accommodating a built environment that complements the natural environment. The purposes of the individual agricultural and resource zoning districts and the manner in which they are applied are as follows:

A.

A (Agricultural) District. The A zoning district is intended to be applied to lands that are to be protected and maintained in agricultural use, with allowable non-agricultural uses being related to and supportive of the continuing primary agricultural use. The A zoning district is consistent with the Agricultural land use designation of the General Plan.

B.

OS (Open Space) District. The OS zoning district is intended to preserve natural resources and provide for flood control, to protect the public health and safety on public land. The OS zoning district is consistent with the Open Space land use designation of the General Plan.

C.

ROS (Restricted Open Space) District. The ROS district is intended to recognize lands that have been acquired or dedicated for Open Space purposes and that are restricted in their use. The ROS zoning district is consistent with the Open Space land use designation of the General Plan.

D.

C (Conservation) District. The C zoning district is intended to maintain privately-owned, unimproved land to conserve natural resources. The C zoning district is consistent with the Conservation land use designation of the General Plan.

(Ord. No. 1576, § 2 (Exh. A, amd.), 10-23-2012)

Table 2-2 identifies the uses of land allowed by this Zoning Ordinance in each agricultural and resource zoning district, and the land use permit required to establish each use, in compliance with Section 19.06.030 (Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements). In addition to the land use permit required by Table 2-2, special provisions related to certain land uses may apply, and Design Review may also be required for certain uses in compliance with Section 19.42.030 (Design Review). A Building Permit shall be required prior to any construction.

Note: Where the last column in the tables ("Specific Use Regulations") includes a section number, the regulations in the referenced section apply to the use. Provisions in other sections of this Zoning Ordinance may also apply.

P  Permitted Use (2)

TABLE 2-2 Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for Agricultural and UP Use Permit required (3) Resource Zoning Districts — Use not allowed

PERMIT REQUIRED BY
Specific Use LAND USE (1) DISTRICT
Regulations
A OS ROS C

AGRICULTURE, RESOURCE & OPEN SPACE USES

Agricultural accessory structures P P P P

Agricultural processing UP — — —

Community gardens P P — P

Crop production and horticulture P P — P

Dairy farming UP — — —

Farm produce stands UP — — —

Livestock operations - Grazing & Hay Production P P P P

Livestock operations - Large animals UP — — >—

Livestock operations - Small animals P — — —

Nurseries and greenhouses, no on-site sales P — — —

Nurseries and greenhouses, with on-site sales UP — — >—

UP UP

Storage and use of hazardous materials as accessory use — — (4) (4)

RECREATION, EDUCATION & ASSEMBLY USES

Clubs, lodges and membership meeting halls UP — — —

Equestrian facilities UP — — —

Golf courses and country clubs UP — — UP

Hiking trails P P P P

Marinas, docks, piers UP UP UP UP

Nature preserves P P P P

Outdoor recreation facilities, active UP — — —

Outdoor recreation facilities, passive P P P P

Parks and playgrounds UP UP — UP

KEY TO ZONING DISTRICT SYMBOLS

A Agricultural ROS Restricted Open Space

OS Open Space C Conservation

Notes:

(1)

See Article 6 for land use definitions. See Section 19.02.020.F regarding uses not listed.

(2)

Zoning Clearance required (Section 19.42.020). Design Review may also be required; see 19.42.030.

(3)

See Section 19.42.050 for Use Permit processing requirements.

(4)

Accessory use may be allowed in accordance with standards as promulgated by the Novato Fire Protection District and all other applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.

P  Permitted Use (2)
TABLE 2-2
Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for Agricultural and UP Use Permit required (3)
Resource Zoning Districts
— Use not allowed

PERMIT REQUIRED BY
Specific Use DISTRICT LAND USE (1)
Regulations
A OS ROS C

RESIDENTIAL USES

Accessory dwelling units/junior accessory dwelling units P — — P 19.34.030
and

Agricultural Worker Housing Center P P P P 19.34.200

Alcoholism or Drug Abuse Recovery or Treatment Facility, 6 or fewer persons

Alcoholism or Drug Abuse Recovery or Treatment Facility, 7 or
— — — —
more persons

Cannabis cultivation - personal indoor P P — P 19.34.065

Cannabis cultivation - personal outdoor — — — — 19.34.065

Caretaker quarters UP UP — —

Community Care Facility, 6 or fewer persons P — — P

Community Care Facility, 7 or more persons UP — — UP

Farm labor housing UP — — —

Home occupations P — — P 19.34.080

Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE), 6 or fewer persons P — — P

Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE), 7 or more persons UP — — UP 19.34.160

Single-family dwellings P — — P

SERVICE USES

Bed and breakfast inns (B&Bs) UP — — —

Cemetery — — — P

Child/adult day care, 8 or fewer clients P — — P

Child/adult day care, 9 to 14 clients P — — — 19.34.070

Child/adult day care, 15 or more clients UP — — — 19.34.070

Funeral Homes — — — UP

Kennels UP — — —

TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION USES

Wireless communications facilities UP UP UP UP 19.38

KEY TO ZONING DISTRICT SYMBOLS

A Agricultural ROS Restricted Open Space

OS Open Space C Conservation

Notes:

(1)

See Article 6 for land use definitions. See Section 19.02.020.F regarding uses not listed.

(2)

Zoning Clearance required (Section 19.42.020). Design Review may also be required; see 19.42.030.

(3)

See Section 19.42.050 for Use Permit processing requirements.

(Ord. No. 1576, § 2 (Exh. A, amd.), 10-23-2012; Ord. No. 1595, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2014; Ord. No. 1643, § 5, 10- 9-2018; Ord. No. 1676, Exh. A, 3-8-2022; Ord. No. 1718, § 3(Exh. C), 9-10-2024; Ord. No. 1723, § 3(Exh. B), 3- 25-2025)

Subdivisions, new land uses and structures, and alterations to existing land uses and structures, shall be designed, constructed, and/or established in compliance with the requirements in Table 2-3, in addition to the applicable development standards (e.g., landscaping, parking and loading, etc.) in Article 3 (General Property Development and Use Standards).

TABLE 2-3 AGRICULTURAL AND RESOURCE DISTRICT GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Requirement by Zoning District

OS/ROS Development Feature A C
Open Space/
Agriculture Conservation
Restricted Open Space

Minimum lot size Minimum area, width, and depth required for new parcels.

Area 60 acres

Width 150 ft None 10 acres—60 acres (3)

Depth 150 ft

1 dwelling unit 1 dwelling unit

Maximum density (1) Not applicable per 60 acres per 10 acres

Minimum setbacks required. See Article 19.20 for setback measurement, allowed

Setbacks projections into setbacks, and exceptions to setbacks.

Front 30 ft

Sides (each) 25 ft

Rear 30 ft

40 ft for agricultural accessory structures; Height limit (2) 30 ft for all other structures.

Architecture As required by Division 19.27.

Landscaping As required by Division 19.28 (Landscaping).

Parking As required by Division 19.30 (Parking and Loading).

Notes:

(1)

Maximum number of dwellings allowed per gross acre in a single-family subdivision. The actual number of units allowed is determined through the applicable subdivision or land use permit process, and there is no guarantee that the maximum density may be achieved.

(2)

Maximum allowed height of structures. See also Section 19.20.070 (Height Limits and Exceptions).

(3)

The Zoning Map designations include a suffix denoting the minimum lot area in acres for the Conservation zone. For example, CON-20 requires a minimum lot area of 20 acres. The density suffix shall be applied to property as part of the rezoning process.

(Ord. No. 1576, § 2 (Exh. A, amd.), 10-23-2012; Ord. No. 1705, § 4(Exh. A), 10-10-2023)