Sutter County Municipal Code § 1500-19-010 Purpose

The purpose of agricultural buffers and setbacks is to provide for the long-term viability of agricultural operations and to minimize potential conflicts between adjacent agricultural and new, non-agricultural development and uses.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

Permanent agricultural buffers are required for any new or expanded non-agricultural use or development such as the subdivision of Estate Residential properties or other residential subdivisions, or development of commercial or industrial projects that are:

A. Located on land that is not zoned AG;

B. Located outside established City sphere of influence boundaries or rural communities boundaries. Projects located within but adjacent to these boundaries shall buffer from adjacent properties located outside the boundaries; and

C. Require discretionary approval from the County.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

A. Where agricultural buffers are required they shall be located on the non-agricultural property.

B. Agricultural buffers should be designed to ensure that the buffer does not provide a host environment for pests or carriers of disease which could potentially impact adjacent agricultural operations.

C. Agricultural buffers should be designed to accommodate drainage, trails, roads, parks, greenbelts, infrastructure, community gardens, native landscaping, and other uses that are compatible with ongoing agricultural operations and provide multiple use opportunities.

D. Hedgerows, berms, walls, or other types of barriers may be incorporated into the buffer design to reduce impacts between adjacent agricultural operations and non-agricultural uses.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

Table 1500-19-1 identifies recommended minimum agricultural buffer setbacks which are required to be provided on the property on which the new or expanded non-agricultural use or development (i.e. new residential subdivision, commercial or industrial use) is proposed. The minimum agricultural buffer setback shall be measured from the proposed non-agricultural project site to the property line of the adjacent agricultural property and may include the width of adjacent road rights-of-way, canals, or other similar features. These buffers shall not apply to accessory uses and structures such as shops, barns, ground mounted solar facilities, and other similar uses and structures.

Table 1500-19-1: AGRICULTURAL BUFFER SETBACKS

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

Agricultural buffers may be reduced with approval of a Use Permit where the approving authority determines that:

A. Specific site characteristics exist such as topography, prevailing winds, vegetation, and other site features that provide adequate buffering such that the required setback is not necessary to promote and protect agriculture and protect public health and safety; or

B. Site constraints such as parcel size and configuration are such that the required setback is infeasible and the reduced setback provides the maximum feasible buffer from the Agricultural District or use.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

All buffers shall provide an ongoing maintenance program for the buffer area.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

Buffer requirements may be waived or subsequently terminated if determined by the Director, in consultation with the Agricultural Commissioner, that all adjacent parcels zoned AG have been irreversibly converted to non-agricultural uses.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)