Santa Clara County · Land use · Growing crops
Where is growing crops (agriculture) allowed in Santa Clara County?
In Santa Clara County, growing crops (agriculture) is allowed in 9 base zones (A, AR, HS, RR, RHS and 4 more, 3 with a condition) and not allowed in 11 (Santa Clara County use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: A, AR, HS, RR, RHS, A1, RS, OS/F and 1 more
- Not allowed: R1, R1E, R1S, R3S, R2, R3, CN, CG and 3 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Santa Clara County 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
Santa Clara County's code calls this use “Agriculture: General / Agriculture”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| A Exclusive Agriculture | Allowed | § 2.20.020 |
| AR | Allowed | § 2.20.020 |
| HS | Allowed | § 2.20.020 |
| RR Rural Residential | Allowed | § 2.20.020 |
| RHS | Allowed — see note Note 1: On lots two and one-half acres or larger in RHS districts, all agricultural uses permitted in HS districts as a matter of right (see Table 2.20-2) shall be allowed. | § 2.30.020 |
| A1 | Allowed | § 2.50.020 |
| RS | Allowed | § 2.50.020 |
| OS/F | Allowed — see note Note 1: Within the OS/F district, tree farm operations that grow trees in containers or in the ground are consistent with the "Agriculture" use classification. Within the SCA district, agricultural uses shall be limited to non-riparian areas and areas outside of conservation easements and California tiger salamander (CTS) reserve areas managed pursuant to the Stanford Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), except for grazing for vegetation management as specifically provided in the Stanford HCP. Within the riparian areas and conservation easement/CTS reserve areas of the SCA district, use of pesticides and herbicides shall be prohibited; however, this does not prohibit weed abatement activities, non-native wildlife or plant abatement activities (including the use of pesticides, biocides, and herbicides or other agricultural chemicals) conducted in accordance with the Stanford HCP or Stanford Special Conservation Areas Plan (SCAP). | § 2.50.020 |
| SCA | Allowed — see note Note 1: Within the OS/F district, tree farm operations that grow trees in containers or in the ground are consistent with the "Agriculture" use classification. Within the SCA district, agricultural uses shall be limited to non-riparian areas and areas outside of conservation easements and California tiger salamander (CTS) reserve areas managed pursuant to the Stanford Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), except for grazing for vegetation management as specifically provided in the Stanford HCP. Within the riparian areas and conservation easement/CTS reserve areas of the SCA district, use of pesticides and herbicides shall be prohibited; however, this does not prohibit weed abatement activities, non-native wildlife or plant abatement activities (including the use of pesticides, biocides, and herbicides or other agricultural chemicals) conducted in accordance with the Stanford HCP or Stanford Special Conservation Areas Plan (SCAP). | § 2.50.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Urban Agriculture is a separate row (permitted by right in all urban residential and commercial/industrial districts).
- Not covered here: Combining districts (-os, -sm, -h, -bw, -d1, -d2 etc.) can change allowed uses; Chapter 2.10 use classification definitions are not in the packet; Other base districts of the county outside Chapters 2.20-2.50, if any. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Santa Clara County
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have growing crops (agriculture) in the R1 zone in Santa Clara County?
No. Santa Clara County's use table does not allow it in R1 (§ 2.30.020).
Can I have growing crops (agriculture) in the A zone in Santa Clara County?
Yes. Santa Clara County's use table lists it as allowed in A (Exclusive Agriculture) (§ 2.20.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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