Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 14 — ZONING›Chapter 14-16 — DISTRICT REGULATIONS
Watsonville Municipal Code Part 17 EM-A-1—Exclusive Agricultural District
Watsonville Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-05 · Watsonville
Cite as: Watsonville Municipal Code Part 17 · Text as of 2026-10-05
14-16.1700 Purpose.¶
The purpose of the Exclusive Agricultural District is to protect and foster agriculture, to permit all normal uses related to agriculture, and to prohibit those that would be in conflict. Insofar as is practicable, it is the intention to retain solely for agricultural production lands of predominately Class I and Class II soils.
(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980)
14-16.1701 Principal permitted uses.¶
All principal permitted uses shall be subject to the approval of an Administrative Review Permit issued without a public hearing by the Zoning Administrator.
AGRICULTURAL USES
| GLU | 91 | Irrigated agriculture |
|---|---|---|
| 92 | Nonirrigated agriculture | |
| 93 | Pasture and native grasses | |
| 94 | Animals, agriculture | |
| 95 | Reservoirs, water supply | |
| 96 | Native vegetation, forest, and brush | |
| 97 | Lake | |
| 98 | Wetlands | |
| 99 | Agricultural testing facilities | |
| 09 | Farmworker dwelling unit |
NONAGRICULTURAL USES
| GLU | 01 | Single-family dwelling unit |
|---|---|---|
| 07 | Foster home | |
| 01 | Living quarters of persons regularly employed on the premises — Exclusions: 05: labor camps, labor dwellings, or other accommodations or areas for transient labor | |
| — | Home occupation | |
| 115 | Barns, storage buildings | |
| 1982 | Fruit packing, drying and storage sheds | |
| 9130 | Greenhouses of 500 square feet or less | |
| 6915 | Offices incidental and necessary to conduct a permitted use | |
| 5499 | Stands limited to the display and sale of agricultural commodities produced on the premises. Such stands shall not exceed 400 square feet in area | |
| 152 | Storage tanks and pumps for fuel | |
| 8611 | Facilities for fish and wildlife enhancement and preservation | |
| 872 | Pool, swimming, nonprofit | |
| 6325 | Private garages and off-street parking areas | |
| 4 | Public utility facilities, structure and uses | |
| DLU | 724 | Child care homes up to fourteen (14) children |
(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980, as amended by § 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025, § 2, Ord. 1488-26 (CM), eff. June 25, 2026)
14-16.1702 Conditional uses.¶
The following uses shall be subject to the approval of a Special Use Permit issued through the public hearing process by the Commission:
| DLU | 9130 | Greenhouses in excess of 500 square feet |
|---|---|---|
| 05 | Farmworker housing |
(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980, as amended by § 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025)
14-16.1703 District regulations.¶
The following regulations shall be observed in the Exclusive Agricultural District for the use proposed, except as otherwise provided in this title or as modified by Conditional Use Permit:
Height Regulations: No structure shall exceed thirty-five (35') feet in height.
| Site and Building Requirements | Each S.F.D.U. | Accessory Buildings | Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot Area | 5 Acres | - | 10 acre minimum, unless exception granted |
| Lot Width—Minimum | - | - | 300 feet, unless exception granted |
| Distance to any street | 20 ft. minimum | 20 ft. minimum | - |
| Distance between structures | As allowed by Uniform Building Code | As allowed by Uniform Building Code | - |
| Front yard | 20 feet | 20 feet | - |
| Interior Side Yard | 5 feet | 5 feet | - |
| Rear Yard | 20 feet | *See Note | - |
* Note: Accessory buildings shall not occupy more than fifty (50%) percent of the area of required rear yard.
(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980)
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