§ 9-700

The purpose of this Chapter is to establish regulations that support existing and future agri-tourism opportunities within the County, consistent with the General Plan. Accordingly, the regulations have the following specific objectives:

(a)

Promote agricultural experiences, such as farm and ranch tours and winery visits, which will draw visitors to the County and provide economic benefits for farmers and vintners without adversely affecting neighboring properties;

(b)

Offer tourist opportunities for overnight stays at farms and ranches, which will enable them to experience agriculture more fully and support the County's agricultural economy;

(c)

Enable farmers and vintners to market San Joaquin County as a tourist destination and foster civic pride in the beauty of the County's farmlands and vineyards and the agricultural economy; and

(d)

Create an agricultural directional signage program to support agri-tourism opportunities.

The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to all Agricultural zones in the County and to all owner-operators of farms, ranches, and wineries.

(a)

Allowable Activities. Any farm or ranch that is operating allowed agricultural uses, such as animal raising, crop production, or dairies and creameries, may conduct an agricultural experience, such as farm and ranch tours, self-guided hikes, u-pick operations, on-site agricultural demonstrations, lectures, classes, educational events, or participation in agricultural operations on the site, that complies with all of the following:

(1)

Is incidental to a primary agricultural use;

(2)

Features agricultural commodities related to on-site operations;

(3)

Does not involve any amplified sound;

(4)

Activities occur between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; and

(5)

Any overnight sleeping accommodations are subject to the standards of Section 9.700.040, Agricultural Homestays or Farmstays.

No Zoning Compliance Review or Use Permit is required for an agricultural experience meeting the criteria above of, except as specified below.

(b)

Number of Experiences Allowed. Agricultural experiences up to 4 days per month are allowed on each farm or ranch. Additional days may be permitted subject to a Temporary Use Permit or an Administrative Use Permit issued under Chapter 9-804, Use Permits. Hikes, tours, u-pick operations, and educational seminars without additional activities are not limited.

(c)

Maximum Number of Participants. A maximum of 49 individuals are allowed to participate in an agricultural experience at any one time unless a Temporary Use Permit or an Administrative Use Permit is issued under Chapter 9-804, Use Permits to allow a greater number.

(d)

Compliance with County Code Requirements. All owner-operators conducting agricultural experiences must comply with all of the applicable County requirements of this Title and other County Codes related to food service, porta-toilets, trash containers, fire protection, and any other applicable provisions.

(e)

Permit Required. Agricultural experiences are subject to an approved Zoning Compliance Review, with the exception of u-pick operations.

(f)

Parking. Adequate parking shall be provided on-site for the maximum number of participants.

Agricultural Homestays or Farmstays are allowed in Agricultural zones, subject to the following requirements:

(a)

Agricultural homestays or farmstays require an approved Zoning Compliance Review.

(b)

Adequate parking shall be provided on-site for the maximum number of guests.

(c)

No more than six bedrooms shall be made available for rent. If a detached cabin is used in lieu of the residence, it shall not exceed 500 square feet.

(d)

The maximum number of guests is 15.

(e)

Lodging and overnight accommodations shall be rented for no more than one week per individual or group.

(f)

Meal service, including light foods or snacks, may only be provided to registered guests at anytime, in compliance with the current California Retail Food Code.

(g)

The Agricultural Homestay or Farmstay shall be on a working farm or ranch located on a parcel or adjoining parcels totaling at least 5 acres in the AL zone, and 20 acres in size in all other agricultural zones. () Parcels must be under the same ownership.

(h)

No Agricultural Homestay or Farmstay shall be located on a site containing a Transient Lodging use type.

(i)

The property owner, farm/ranch operator, or their representative shall reside on the site or on an adjoining parcel under the same ownership. Facilities may not be rented out by a 3[rd ] party.

(j)

One off street parking space for each room rented shall be provided in addition to the off-street parking for the permanent residents and full-time employees required by Chapter 9-406. All parking is subject to the design and locational requirements established in Chapter 9-406.

(k)

Services shall be limited to the rental of rooms, activities traditionally associated with the operations of farms and ranches, and the optional provision of meals for overnight guests. No food preparation or cooking shall be conducted within any bedroom or cabin made available for rent.

(l)

Group activities that involve more than 10 adult guests of the homestay are prohibited unless related to an agricultural experience allowed under Section 9-700.030.

(m)

Special events, including but not limited to weddings and parties, are prohibited, unless a Temporary Use Permit has been approved pursuant to Section 9-804.080

(n)

Signs shall be limited to one on-premises sign and subject to the standards of Chapter 9-408, Signs.

(o)

An adequate water well and sewage disposal system that is approved by the Environmental Health Department shall be available for use by the proposed Agricultural Homestay/Farmstay. Alternatively, if public agencies provide water and sewage disposal to the site, the applicant shall submit letters from the appropriate agencies indicating there is sufficient water supply and wastewater treatment capacity for the proposed use.

Agricultural directional off-premises signs are allowed in Agricultural zones to direct the public to agricultural businesses where products are available for sale or to Agricultural Experiences, or Agricultural Homestays or Farmstays are offered, subject to the following requirements.

(a)

Type of Business. Agricultural businesses that qualify for off-site signage under this section include, but are not necessarily be limited to, farms, ranches, fruit stands, wineries, on-farm sales, pick-it-yourself operations, pumpkin patches, plant nurseries, and tree farms.

(b)

Type of Sign. Agricultural directional signs shall be mounted on a single signpost. Individual sign panels may include only the name of the business or commodity, and either distances in miles and tenths or months of operation. A directional arrow will be included on each sign panel in the appropriate direction of the business. Each business is limited to no more than two panels, back-to-back, per signpost.

(c)

Location. Agricultural directional signs shall be located at crossroads, intersections, or other sites where directional information is needed, and shall be subject to the following:

(1)

Signposts may be in the County right-of-way upon obtaining an encroachment permit from the Department of Public Works. Such signposts will be allowed only at intersections identified on a list for agricultural directional signs maintained by the Department of Public Works. Signposts may also be placed on private land with the written permission of the landowner and applicable sign permit.

(2)

Individual businesses are limited to placing agricultural directional signs only within a five-mile radius of their location.

(d)

Size and Design. Agricultural directional sign shall include a standard metal logo approved by the County (such as "San Joaquin Grown" or a wine industry logo) and individual sign panels meeting the following specifications:

(1)

Maximum Height: 12 feet.

(2)

Maximum Sign Area: 15 square feet

(3)

Color. The sign panels shall be white with a standard dark green lettering or forest green with white lettering.

(e)

Permits Required; Installation and Maintenance. Agricultural directional signs are subject to the permitting requirements of Chapter 9-408, Signs, and the standards installed and maintenance in that chapter.

In addition to the activities specifically listed in Section 9-100.040, the following uses, which are separately regulated, may be allowed in Agricultural zones, subject to the standards and permitting procedures of this

Title.

(a)

Bed and Breakfast Lodging: See Section 9-409.100;

(b)

Cottage Food Operations: See Section 9-409.160;

(c)

Produce Stands and Agricultural Stores: See Section 9-409.360; and

(d)

Wineries and Related Facilities: See Chapter 9-410.

Chapter 9-701 - Agricultural Mitigation