Article 1 — Agricultural District (A)

In addition to the purposes listed in TMC 9-1-103, the specific purposes of the agricultural district regulations are to preserve and protect agricultural land from urban development; and in certain instances, permit agriculture as an interim use until development occurs. (1207-CS, Rep&ReEn, 05/28/2015)

In the following schedule, the letter "P" designates use classifications permitted in A districts, the letters "NP" designate use classifications not permitted, the letters "MAA" designate use classifications allowed on approval of a minor administrative approval, the letters "MDP" designate use classifications allowed on approval of a minor discretionary permit, and the letters "CUP" designate use classifications allowed on approval of a conditional use permit.

All new or expanded uses of a site or structure shall obtain the necessary permits as indicated in the following schedule.

All new or expanded uses of a site or structure, except a single-family dwelling, involving an expansion of floor area of one thousand (1,000) square feet or twenty-five (25%) percent of the existing building floor area, whichever is less, are subject to design review in accordance with Article 10 of Chapter 9-5 TMC. New or expanded uses subject to design review shall obtain an MDP design review permit. Design review shall take place concurrently with the processing of any other required permit. Compliance with the adopted design guidelines of the City of Turlock is mandatory for all commercial developments subject to design review.

Any change in use or business within an existing structure that is permitted or, in the opinion of the Development Services Director, is suitable to the site and structures in which it is located and does not increase the intensity or impact of its prior use, shall obtain a zoning certificate in accordance with Article 2 of Chapter 9-5 TMC, Zoning Certificates and Home Occupation Permits. The zoning certificate shall be obtained prior to the issuance of a building permit or prior to commencement of a use where no building permit is required.

Uses not contained in the following schedule may be permitted subject to a conditional use permit. Such conditional uses must be of a similar nature and intensity as other uses in the district as determined by the Development Services Director or designee.

A DISTRICT (Agricultural District)

USE CLASSIFICATIONS

(1) Repealed.

(2) See Article 2 of Chapter 9-5 TMC (Zoning Certificates and Home Occupation Permits).

(3) See TMC 9-2-119, Accessory dwelling units.

(4) See TMC 9-2-101, Accessory buildings or structures.

(5) The keeping of domesticated animals is subject to TMC 6-1-105. Livestock and domestic farm animals, used interchangeably in the Turlock Municipal Code, may be kept as an accessory use to a residence only in the following zoning districts: agriculture (A) and estate residential (R-E).

(6) Minor utilities shall not interfere with the use, enjoyment, or aesthetics of adjacent uses.

(7) Employee, supportive, and transitional housing serving six (6) or fewer people is permitted by right. Transitional housing and supportive housing shall be considered a residential use of property, and shall be subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in the same zone.

(8) Any employee housing consisting of no more than thirty-six (36) beds in a group quarters or twelve (12) units or spaces designed for use by a single family or household shall be deemed an agricultural use and subject to the same permitting requirements.

(9) Manufactured housing shall be subject to architectural review to ensure compatibility with adjacent residential buildings in terms of scale, height, and exterior design and treatment as provided in the design guidelines, including but not limited to roof pitch and style, window and door detailing, exterior materials, textures, colors, and finishes.

(1207-CS, Rep&ReEn, 05/28/2015; 1231-CS, Amended, 04/13/2017; 1312-CS, Amended, 06/14/2024; 1343-CS, Amended, 4/9/2026)

The following schedule prescribes development regulations for the agricultural (A) district. Deviations from the setback and height requirements for the purpose of providing accommodation for disabled access to an existing structure may be permitted upon approval of a minor administrative approval pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 9-5 TMC.

(1) See TMC 9-2-106 (Development on existing lots of record). See TMC 9-2-107 (Development on lots divided by district boundaries). Minimum lot sizes may be reduced when the exclusive use of such lots is intended for utility substations, pumping stations, and similar facilities.

(2) See TMC 9-2-105 (Building projections into yards).

(3) See TMC 9-2-108 (Exceptions to height limits).

(1207-CS, Rep&ReEn, 05/28/2015)