Sec. 30-21. - Findings.

(a)

It is the declared policy of this county to conserve, protect, enhance, and encourage agricultural operations on agricultural land within the unincorporated area of the county. Further, it is the intent of this county to provide its residents proper notification of the county's recognition and support, through this article, of the right to farm;

(b)

Where nonagricultural land uses, particularly residential and commercial development, extend onto agricultural land or exist side by side, agricultural operations are frequently the subject of nuisance complaints. As a result, some agricultural operations are forced to cease or curtail their operations and many others are discouraged from making investments in improvements to their operations, all to the detriment of adjacent agricultural uses and the economic viability of the county's agricultural industry as a whole. It is the purpose and intent of this article to reduce the loss to the county of its agricultural resources by limiting the circumstances under which properly conducted agricultural operations on agricultural land may be considered a nuisance;

(c)

It is the further purpose and intent of this article to promote a good-neighbor policy by requiring notification of owners, purchasers, residents, and users of property adjacent to or near agricultural operations on agricultural land of the inherent potential problems associated with being located near such operations, including, without limitation, noise, odors, fumes, dust, smoke, insects, operation of machinery during any time of day or night, storage and disposal of manure, and ground or aerial application of fertilizers, soil amendments, seeds and pesticides. It is intended that, through mandatory disclosures, owners, purchasers, residents and users will better understand the impact of living or working near agricultural operations and be prepared to accept attendant conditions from properly conducted agricultural operations as a normal and necessary aspect of living in a county with a strong rural character and an active agricultural sector;

(d)

It is the further purpose and intent of this article to carry out and advance the goals, objectives, policies, and implementation programs of the agricultural resources element of the general plan.

(Ord. No. 5203 § 5, 1999.)