El Cajon · Land use · Growing crops
Where is growing crops (agriculture) allowed in El Cajon?
In El Cajon, growing crops (agriculture) is allowed in 3 base zones (RS-40, RS-20 and O-S, 2 with a condition) and not allowed in 9 (El Cajon use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RS-40, RS-20 and O-S
- Not allowed: RS-14, RS-9, RS-6, RM-6000, RM-4300, RM-2500, RM-2200, RM-1450 and 1 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the El Cajon Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where growing crops (agriculture) can go
El Cajon's code calls this use “Commercial agriculture including: field crops, orchards, vineyards, horticulture, and floriculture”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| RS-40 | Allowed — see note Note 8: Subject to the provisions of Chapter 17.205 (animals and agriculture). | § 17.140.210 |
| RS-20 | Allowed — see note Note 8: Subject to the provisions of Chapter 17.205 (animals and agriculture). | § 17.140.210 |
| O-S Open Space | Allowed | § 17.155.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- S16 (17.205.020): non-commercial private orchards, gardens and greenhouses are permitted ancillary to any permitted residential use. "Roadside stands for the sale of agricultural products": Z in RS-40 and RS-20.
- Not covered here: Specific plan zones (SP 182, SP 462, SP 32 etc.); M-U overlay adds residential to underlying zones (S3/S4). Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in El Cajon
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have growing crops (agriculture) in the RS-14 zone in El Cajon?
No. El Cajon's use table does not allow it in RS-14 (§ 17.140.210).
Can I have growing crops (agriculture) in the RS-40 zone in El Cajon?
Yes, with a condition. El Cajon's use table lists it as allowed in RS-40 (§ 17.140.210). The code adds a condition: “Subject to the provisions of Chapter 17.205 (animals and agriculture).”
General information, not legal advice.
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