Agriculture (AG)

INTENT: The “AG” designation is intended to preserve and encourage agricultural uses, to protect agricultural uses from encroachment from urban uses, and to provide for the orderly growth of activities related to agriculture.

PERMITTED USES

  • Agricultural uses, provided that such uses are proposed in conjunction with a bona fide agricultural operation1, except those requiring a use permit
  • Non-commercial composting facilities where the operation does not create a nuisance problem and has less than 100 cubic yards of material on site at any given time
  • Single-family dwelling
  • Manufactured home used as a single-family dwelling2
  • Accessory buildings and uses3
  • Farm labor housing
  • Stands for sale of agricultural products grown on the premises
  • Animals and pets (see Animal Standards Section 04.270)
  • Home occupations (see Home Occupation regulations, Section 04.290)
  • Fisheries and game preserves  rp
  • Accessory Dwelling Unit (as prescribed in Chapter 16, Development Standards – Accessory Dwelling Units

Uses Permitted Subject to Director Review (Director Review Processing, Ch. 31)

  • None stated

Uses Permitted Subject to Use Permit (Use Permit Processing, Ch. 32)

  • Commercial hog and poultry raising
  • Farm labor trailer parks
  • Public utility buildings and structures
  • Airports, heliports, taxiways, and landing strips
  • Stock feeding yards, animal sales yards, agricultural processing plants, and slaughterhouses 
  • Limited-scale lodging, such as guest ranches, small inns, bed-and-breakfast establishments, and cabins  c
  • Animal hospitals large and small, veterinary clinics and animal boarding  rp
  • Kennel (see Animal Standards, Table 04.013)
  • Mineral exploration activities (including geothermal exploration activities)  gp
  • Equestrian facilities  rp
  • Commercial hunting and fishing  rp
  • Rural recreation, parks, and golf courses  rp
  • Sports facilities and outdoor public assembly  rp
  • Plant nurseries  rp
  • Commercial composting facilities
  • Exotic animals  rp

Development Standards

Minimum Parcel Size:     2.5 acres, but varies by area – minimum parcel sizes/ densities are established by land use designation maps and policies. (Hammil Valley, see Tri-Valley Goal page II-86 through II-91)  gp (Ten-acre minimum in the Antelope Valley) (Bridgeport Valley and Bodie Hills, see Hammil Valley rp)

Minimum Lot Dimensions: Width – 60’        Depth – 100’ 5 

Maximum Lot Coverage:    40% 

Minimum Setbacks:

Front:             50’                      Rear:            50’                         Side:            50’

Setbacks for Accessory Buildings Used as Barns or Stables

Front:             50’                      Rear:            30  sl’                    Side:            30  sl’

Building Density:     1 du/lot and an Accessory Dwelling Unit gp (see Ch. 16, Development Standards – Accessory Dwelling Units).

Population Density: Approximately two persons per acre.

NOTES

  1. "Agricultural uses" includes farm labor housing; agricultural sheds and warehouses; packing, processing, storage or sale of agricultural products and supplies; repair, maintenance, servicing, storage, rental or sale of agricultural machinery, implements and equipment; transportation of agricultural products, supplies and equipment together with the necessary maintenance, repair and service of trucks and equipment used therein.
  2. Provided that the unit is fewer than 10 years old and meets the criteria set forth in Section 04.280. When there are two mobile homes on the same parcel, they must: 1) comply with the Accessory Dwelling Unit requirements (see Ch. 16); or 2) comply with State standards for a mobile-home park and obtain a use permit from the County (see Ch. 17, Mobile Homes and RV Parks).
  3. Accessory buildings and uses customarily incidental to any of the permitted uses are permitted only when located on the same lot and constructed simultaneously with or subsequent to the main building, including barns, stables and other farm outbuildings and quarters for farm labor or other employees employed on the premises.
  4. Uses may have been omitted from the list of those specified, hence the Commission may find other uses to be similar and not more obnoxious or detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. See explanation of interpreting "similar uses" s 4, Uses not listed as permitted.
  5. Lots requiring individual septic systems are subject to minimum dimensions as determined by the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board.

SEE ALSO

Land Development Regulations – 

Ch. 04             Development Standards – General

Ch. 06             Development Standards – Parking

Ch. 07             Development Standards – Signs

Table 04.010  Building Heights

FOOTNOTES

c.         Clarification

rp.       Recommendation from the Regional Planning Advisory Committee

gp.       General Plan addition