Agricultural FAQs

Outside of the Coastal Zone, one single-family dwelling can be constructed on CA or A zoned parcel with a building permit only as long as the residence meets all required site standards (setbacks, etc.) and does not encroach into any 200-foot agricultural buffers from surrounding Agricultural Resource Lands.

Inside of the Coastal Zone, the construction of a single-family dwelling on a CA-zoned parcel requires approval from the Zoning Administrator with a recommendation from the Agricultural Policy Advisory Commission; therefore, two public hearings would be required. If an Agricultural Buffer Reduction is also required, the reduction would be wrapped into the permit. Please see the Agricultural Buffer Setback page for additional information. On zoned parcels within the Coastal Zone, a single-family dwelling requires a building permit only.

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are permitted on commercial agricultural and agricultural lands with a building permit, per state ADU law. Inside the Coastal Zone, discretionary approval is required. The unit must be located within 100 feet of the main dwelling unit unless additional distance is required to meet the minimum agricultural buffer setback standards in SCCC 16.50.095. Additionally, the project may require approval from the Agricultural Policy Advisory Commission (APAC) if an Agricultural Buffer Determination is required.

Land divisions of Commercial Agricultural land for nonagricultural purposes are not permitted. Depending on the resource type designation of the parcel, minimum parcel sizes for new lots created by land divisions is 10-20 acres. Divisions of Agricultural (A) zoned land require a minimum parcel size of 2.5-40 acres. In all situations, land divisions require specific findings (listed in SCCC 13.10.315) with a focus on ensuring the proposal is not detrimental to the viability or productivity of agriculture in the area.

A: Both the State and the County of Santa Cruz maintain provisions to develop Farmworker Housing at a range of scales. Santa Cruz County Code section 13.10.631 provides the regulatory framework for developing Farmworker Housing within the County. Farmworker housing projects are afforded unique provisions not offered for other houses and uses in the County, including the ability to streamline projects, provide seasonal housing, utilize RVs/5th wheels for housing units, and allowances to develop at a greater density.

Farmworkers or agricultural employees are defined as:
an employee engaged in agriculture, which includes farming in all its branches, including but not limited to the cultivation and tillage of the soil, dairying, the production, cultivation, growing, and harvesting of any agricultural or horticultural commodities, the raising of livestock, bees, furbearing animals, or poultry, and any practices performed by a farmer or on a farm as an incident to or in conjunction with such farming operations, including preparation for market and delivery to storage or to market or to carriers for transportation to market, as further defined in California Labor Code §Section 1140.4(b). “Agricultural Employee” also means farm worker, farmworker, or farm laborer. “Agricultural Employee” does not include persons engaged in household domestic service, or certain employees of religious or charitable entities listed in Section 17005(b) and (c) of the Act. Agricultural Employees earn their primary income through permanent or seasonal agricultural labor.

Additional or specific information on farmworker housing can be obtained by scheduling an appointment with Zoning staff.

It is also important to note that Environmental Health standards, including adequate water supply and onsite waste treatment system requirements, apply to all units developed as farmworker housing; Planning staff recommend consulting with Environmental Health to understand permitting for water supply and septic systems.
 

A list of common uses, and the required approval level, in agricultural districts is located in SCCC 13.10.212 here. Uses not listed in the chart but are determined to be similar in nature to a use listed may be considered for approval.

Santa Cruz County recently adopted regulations to promote agri-tourism and education-oriented services on agricultural land. Agri-tourism means visitor-oriented services, events, educational activities and attractions with an agricultural theme that are conducted in conjunction with on-site agricultural uses. Such uses include but are not limited to farm dinners, educational activities, classes, workshops, tours, mazes, and petting zoos, and do not include weddings.

Preschool through 12th grade school visits for agri-toruism are a by-right use and do not require discretionary approval in the CA and A zone districts, provided the primary use of the property remains agricultural. Other types of education agri-tourism, including events with more than 100 guests or amplified music, can be conditionally approved.