City of Sacramento Urban Ag

definition

County Urban Agriculture Definitions

Agricultural Uses, Urban(new)

SUACs proposal includes

Urban Agriculture means

The growing of fruits, herbs, and/or vegetables and/or the

private gardens.

the production of food in a

form and scale that is

raising animals in an urban area for food or other purposes.

appropriate for the urban

Urban agriculture includes, but is not limited to, market

context and includes

gardens and community gardens.

market garden;
community garden, public;
community garden,
private; private garden;
aquaculture; and urban
beekeeping

Market Garden (new)

SUACs proposal does

Market Garden means the

A garden established for the sale or donation of its produce or

not specify should be on

primary use of a site for

animal products to the public. Market gardens can be

a vacant lot

cultivation of fruits,
vegetables, flowers, fiber,

established on both occupied or vacant sites.

nuts, seeds, or culinary

herbs for sale or donation
of its produce to the
public which is in a zone
other than an A or A-OS.

Community Garden

Community Garden,

A garden established on a vacant lot and maintained by any

Private means an

group of persons for the sole primary purpose of providing

food for personal consumption. ; no retail sales permitted

otherwise undeveloped lot

divided into multiple plots
for the growing and
harvesting of fruits,
vegetables, flowers, fiber,
nuts, seeds, and culinary

herbs primarily for the

personal use of the
growers, and that is
established, operated, and
maintained by a group of
persons, other than the
city.
Community Garden, Public
means public land divided
into multiple plots that are
available to the public for
growing and harvesting of
fruits, vegetables, flowers,
fiber, nuts, seeds, or
culinary herbs primarily
for the personal use of the
growers, and that is
established, operated, and
maintained by the city.

Urban Agricultural Stand (new)

SUAC would like to

Urban Agriculture Stand

A retail stand accessory to a permitted Market or Community

expand to locally grown.

means a temporary

Garden that sells fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, and other

agricultural crops, eggs, and a limited amount of nonpotentially hazardous (shelf stable) prepackaged food that is

produce stand that is

accessory to an urban
agriculture use.

produced on site.
N/A

Incidental Keeping of Animals (may need to amend)

Any animal husbandry activity conducted on a hobby type

basis for personal use or consumption other than kennels, hog
farms, feedlots, and the keeping of pets; and which is not the
primary use of the premises. The keeping of crowing fowl is included as
incidental keeping of animals.

Urban Beekeeping (new)

Beekeeping whereby any monies derived from the bees or the
hive products is incidental to a permitted residential or non-

Urban Beekeeping means

having or ranching no more
than two beehives on a single
parcel of property.

residential use and not a significant source of the beekeepers

income nor the beekeepers primary reason for practicing
apiculture.
Community Food Producer (new) DO WE NEED THIS?? ASK WORKING

N/A

GROUP
A producer of agricultural products on land that is not zoned for
agricultural use but is otherwise in compliance with applicable local
land use and zoning restrictions, including, but not limited to,
restrictions governing personal gardens, community gardens,
market gardens, and school gardens.
Crops, Raising and Harvesting (Amended)

N/A

The commercial raising and harvesting of agricultural and

horticultural uses, including but not limited to production of grains,
field crops, vegetables, fruits, nut trees, herbs, flowers and seed
production, nursery stock and ornamental plant production
(including plants, trees, shrubs and ground covers grown in
containers or green houses). Does not include the use intended for
personal consumption (e.g. gardening or a community garden).
Produce means any food in its
raw or natural state which is in
such form as to indicate that it

Produce (new)

Any food in its raw or natural state which is in such form as to

indicate that is intended for consumer use with or without any or
further processing.

is intended for consumer use

with or without any further
processing.

County Draft Ordinance

City of Sacramento

Working
Group/SUAC
Comments

3.4.12. Urban Agricultural Uses

Urban agricultural uses including the growing of fruits, herbs, vegetables and/or
the raising animals in an urban area for food or other purposes within market
gardens and community gardens, as defined in Section 7.3, are allowed subject to
the standards included in this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed to
preempt any provision related to the cultivation or sale of marijuana as found in
Title 6 of the Sacramento County Code.
3.4.12.A.

Working group
recommended including
language related to this
Section NOT overriding
codes/laws related the
cultivation of marijuana.

Market and Community Gardens

County Market Gardens

City Market Gardens

Zone

By Right

MUP

ZA CUP

Zone

By

RD Zones

Up to1

Over 1

Over 3 acres

Residential Zones (RE,

Up to 1

RD-3

acre

acre

ZA CUP

Right
acre and

R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-2,

through

less than

R-2A, R-2B, R-3, R-3A,

RM-2

3 acres

R-4, R-4A, R-5, RMX,

Over 1acre

AND RO
AR-1, 2

Up to 3

Over 3

RD-1, 2

acres

acres

N/A

Commercial Zones

Up to 3

(C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4,

acres

Over 3 acres

OB, OB-2, OB-3, SC).

Commercial Up to 3
acres

Industrial

No limit

Over 3

N/A

acres

N/A

Industrial/Manufacturing No
(M-1, M-1(S), MIP,MRD,

Upper

H, SPX, HC).

limit

N/A

N/A

1. Community Gardens
Permitted, provided that permission to use the property has been given in writing
by the property owner and adequate off street parking is available. Hours of use
limited to between sunrise and sunset.

SUAC proposed hours

from between from
7:00am to 8:00pm.

Note: no size limitation.

2. Maintenance
Urban agriculture uses shall be maintained in an orderly manner,
including litter removal, irrigation, weeding, pruning, pest control and
removal of dead or diseased plant materials.

3. Equipment
a. Regular use of mechanized farm equipment is prohibited in
residential districts.
b. The use of equipment up to 8,000 pounds may be used in the initial
preparation of lands for urban agricultural use between the hours of
6:00am and 8:00pm and consistent with the Sacramento County
Noise Ordinance.
c. Regular use of standard landscaping and gardening equipment
designed for household use is permitted.
d. Equipment when not in use must be within enclosed structures or
otherwise not visible to the public.
4. Structures
Structures used to support urban agriculture, such as tool sheds,
greenhouses, produce stands, and instructional spaces are permitted,
subject to all other applicable zoning regulations and development
standards found in Section 5.4.6.

5. Compost

Working group
recommends focusing on
hours of operation rather
than weight or dust
control.

The same size restrictions as

above apply to Private
Community Gardens.

Urban agriculture uses must be

maintained in an orderly
manner, including litter
removal, irrigation, weeding,
pruning, pest control and
removal of dead or diseased
plant materials. All garbage
must be removed from the site
weekly.
Except for initial preparation of
the land, heavy mechanized
farm equipment is prohibited in
residential districts.
Landscaping equipment
designed for household use is
permitted. When not in use,
equipment must be enclosed or
otherwise screened from sight.

Structures to support urban

agriculture, such as storage
sheds, hoop-houses, and
greenhouses, are permitted,
subject to the regulations of the
underlying zone. Fencing is not
required for private community
gardens and market gardens.
Garbage and compost
receptacles at market gardens
and community gardens must

Compost systems utilized to support urban agriculture shall be maintained

to be free of pests and odors. Compost systems shall be located in rear
yards only and may not be located within 20 feet of interior property lines.

6. Trash
Trash receptacles used to support urban agriculture shall be located
indoors or screened from the street and adjacent properties through the
utilization of landscaping, fencing or similar appropriate screening
materials.
7. Fencing
Fences related to urban agriculture are permitted as regulated in the
underlying zoning districts.

be screened from the street and

adjacent properties by utilizing
landscaping, fencing or storage
within structures. Compost
piles and containers must be set
back at least 20 feet from
residential buildings when an
urban agriculture use abuts a
residential land use.

SUAC recommends the

following:
Notwithstanding section
5.2.5, Development
Standards for Walls and
Fences, the
development,
improvement, or use of a
lot for urban agriculture
shall not require the
provision of a solid wood
fence or masonry wall
along property lines
adjacent to Residential or
Agricultural-Residential
Zones.

8. Nonconforming Uses

Urban agriculture uses in existence prior to the enactment of this

Ordinance are considered to have been legally established. If they do not
meet the current regulations, they are nonconforming, and changes to
size, operation, or other aspects are regulated by Section 1.9 of the Zoning
Code.

3.4.12.B. Urban Agricultural Stands

Urban Agricultural Stands on the site of an approved

Some members of the

working group would like

Market or Community Garden are allowed subject to

to put limits on the

the following standards:

number of stands per

1. Urban Agriculture Stands shall be operated by the

neighborhood.

property owner or lessee on which a Market or

Community Garden is established.
2. Products sold at Urban Agricultural Stands shall be
limited to produce, eggs, honey and value-added products
produced on site.

3. Products sold are subject to all quarantine laws

and regulations in place at the time of sale.
4. There shall be no more than one Urban Agriculture
Stand per parcel.

SUAC would like to allow

up to 50% of sales area
to be used for produce
and shelf stable foods
from another local urban
agriculture or cottage
food operation and/or
for agricultural/ food

5. One sign shall be allowed provided that:

a. The sign shall be a portable sign, and may be an
A frame.
b. The sign, including supports, shall fit into an area
of not more than four (4) feet in height, three (3)
feet in width, and three (3) feet in depth.
c. The sign is located on private property and does
not block pedestrian or vehicle mobility.

preparation related
items.

Urban agriculture stands are

permitted on the site of an
urban agriculture use, subject
to the regulations in 17.228.810
(E) of the urban agriculture
ordinance. Product sales at
urban ag stands are limited to
produce and value-added
products grown on site.
Parking for two cars is required.
This may be provided either onstreet or at an off-street parking
facility accessed by an approved
driveway.
In residential zones: on-site
urban agricultural stands* up to
120 sq. ft. allowed by right.
Hours of operation: 8:00 am7:00 pm (must be dismantled
and removed during nonoperating hours).
Days: Limited to Tuesdays &
Saturdays, except on vacant
lots. Prohibited on lots where a
private garden is in the front
yard.
In commercial and industrial
zones: On site urban

agricultural stands up to 120

sq.ft. Hours 8:00 am- 7:00 pm.

d. The sign is removed and stored out of public view

during non-operation hours.
6. An Urban Agriculture Stand may operate only
between sunrise and sunset.
7. Urban Agriculture Stands shall be temporary, and
shall be dismantled, removed and stored out of
public view during non-operation hours.
8. Urban Agriculture Stands 120 square feet and
smaller are allowed by right. Stands greater than
120 square feet shall be subject to a Conditional
Use Permit from the Zoning Administrator.
9. Parking Requirements
a. Urban Agriculture Stands shall not be subject to
the development standards for off-street
parking outlined elsewhere in this Code.
b. Parking for two cars shall be provided either
on-street or in an off-street parking facility
accessed by an approved driveway
3.9.3.G.

Incidental Agricultural Uses and Keeping of Animals

The incidental keeping of animals is allowed, except
in multifamily and RM-2 zoning districts unless
developed as a duplex or half-plex lot, subject to the
regulations contained in this section. In all districts
that allow incidental agricultural uses and the keeping
of animals, including crowing fowl, this use must be
incidental to a permitted residential use.

Some members of the

working group suggested
removing parking
requirements.
Commented [MK1]: Need to change land use table. Allowed in
all zones except for multifamily and RM-2 zones.

1. General Standards
a. The keeping of animals must be incidental to a
permitted residential use.
b. The conditions, standards, and requirements of
Title 8 of the Sacramento County Code are met
to the satisfaction of the Chief of Animal
Control.
c. All areas devoted to such uses shall comply
with the standards applicable to stables and
corrals related to dust, odor, flies and other
nuisances included in Section 3.4.6.C. These
standards are applicable to the incidental

The keeping of any bovine

keeping of animals. adopted by the

animal, horse, mule,

Department of Public Health relative to noise,

burro, sheep, goat, duck,

dust, odor, and pests, and shall be maintained

turkey, goose or other

to the satisfaction of the Director of Public

domestic livestock or

Health.

poultry on any parcel of

property located in the city

d. The provisions of thisese use standards shall

is not allowed except in a

not apply to public or private stables, or where

few specific locations

such animals are kept as a general agricultural

zoned A or A-OS or in

use.
e. Animals allowed in this section (except
chickens, ducks and fish) must be kept in an
area separate from where plants intended for
sale or consumption are grown.

10

SUAC recommended
more restrictive
standards than the
current Zoning Code =1

conjunction charitable
operations.
3 chickens per residential
parcel. Coop 20 feet from
neighboring dwelling.

animal per 20,000

2. Lot Area
The minimum lot area for any lot used for an

square feet and one

additional per every

incidental agricultural use or for public or private

2,000 square feet over.

boarding or riding stables as defined in this Code

(14,000 and 1,200 for

shall be as follows. The lot area may be decreased

non-res). Areas

subject to the issuance of a special conditional use

accessible to animals

permit by the Zoning Administrator.

shall not be within 50

a. For any commercial or public stable the

residence, food prep or

minimum lot area shall be three (3) acres.

b. For any private stable, the minimum lot area

feet of adjacent
service, school, hotel or
place of public assembly.

shall be 20,000 square feet.

c. The minimum lot area for the keeping of small
animals (animals less than 75 pounds) without

Julie Jensen recommends

a cooping requirement to

limit (other than pets as defined in Chapter

7.3), including crowing fowl, on a

minimize the potential

noncommercial scale as an incidental use, shall

wild birds that may be

for poultry to contact

be 10,000 square feet.

diseased.

(i) The keeping of crowing fowl as an incidental

SUAC does not have a

agricultural use shall only be allowed in the

RD-1, RD-2, RD-3, RD-4, RD-5, and RD-7
zoning districts
d. For any other incidental agricultural use, the
minimum lot area shall be 20,000 square feet.

11

cooping requirement

Chickens must be cooped at

all times. $10 fee per chicken
and $15 annual permit fee.

e. On lots less than 10,000 square feet, the

keeping of egg-laying chickens, egg laying
ducks, rabbits, and similar animals are allowed
subject to the following restrictions:
(i) Residentially zoned parcels may have one of
these animals for every 800 square feet.
(ii) On residential parcels, the animals must be
kept in the rear yard only.
(iii)

Nonresidentially zoned parcels may

have one of these animals for every 400

square feet
(iv) A covered coop with a roof and four sides
must be provided for chickens to voluntarily
retreat to and roost an night.
(v) These animals must be kept in a structure or
fenced area at least 20 feet from all
neighboring residential structures at all
times.
3. Development Standards
a. Structures used for the keeping of animals shall
be consistent with the development standards
are found in Section 5.4.6.

12

3.4.2.

Allowed in A or A-OS Zones.

Beekeeping
3.4.2A.

Commercial beekeeping in all Agricultural

zoning districts, all AR-2 zones and AR1zoned properties that are 150 feet or
greater in width is a permitted primary use.
Hive owners must maintain current
registration with the Sacramento County
Agricultural Commissioner in compliance
with State Statues, including required hive
movement notices. Any colony that is not
properly registered shall be removed from
the property and may not be returned to the
property for at least six (6) weeks from the
date of registering the colony at another site.

3.4.2.B

Urban beekeeping use, where hive

maintenance is incidental to a permitted
residential or non-residential use and
products derived from hive maintenance do
not constitute a significant source of income
to a beekeeper, is permitted in the
Residential, Recreation, Mixed Use,
Commercial and Industrial AR-1, RD-1, and
RD-2 zoning districts provided compliance
shall comply with the following minimum
standards:

13

1. Registration and Location

a. The Hhive(s) owners must maintain a
current registration status of the bee
colony(s) with the Agricultural
Commissioner in compliance with
applicable state statutes, including
required hive movement notices. Any
colony that is not properly registered
shall be removed from the property and
may not be returned to the property for
at least six (6) weeks from the date of
registering the colony at another site.
b. Urban beekeeping is only allowed
where it has been determined that
beehives will not pose a hazard to
public health. Nuisance bee behavior
may require remedial action upon
notice by Sacramento County.
Procedures for determining where
beekeeping is not allowed and for
noticing of required remedial actions
are detailed in Section 3.4.2.B.2.
(i) Procedures may require the removal
of all hives from a property, through
no direct fault of the beekeeper, but

14

because a health or safety situation

has been shown to exist. Once
property has been declared unsafe
for beekeeping, it shall not be legal
to maintain bees on that property
until such status is removed in
writing. Failure to comply with
specified remedial action will
constitute a violation of this Code.
c. The number, location and arrangement
of hives on a property must be in
conformance with the Section
3.4.2.B.3.
d. The hive(s) location and physical set up
arrangement on the property must be
in conformance to the performance
standards of Section B, Revocation. In
addition, nuisance behavior by bees
may require the hive owner to take
remedial actions upon notice by
Sacramento County. Procedures for
such notice are of Section B,
Revocation. Failure to comply with
specified remedial actions will
constitute a violation of this Code for
enforcement purposes.

15

e. Urban beekeeping is allowed only on

property that has not been declared as
a location where bee hives are
potentially a hazard to public health
and safety. Procedures for declaring
property where urban beekeeping is
not allowed is of Section B,
Revocation. Those procedures may
require removal of all bee colonies
from the property through no direct
fault of the beekeeper but because a
health or safety situation has been
shown to exist. Once property has
been declared unsafe for beekeeping, it
shall not be legal to maintain bees on
that property until such status is
removed from the property in writing.
SABA would like this

2. Revocation
Urban beekeeping privileges may be

Ordinance to establish a
Beekeeping Advisory

withdrawn from any property by written

group under the

notification to the property owner by the

jurisdiction of the Ag

Planning Department of Community

Commissioner. To

Development Director. Withdrawal must

be done with cause, however, the causes

16

provide expertise and

assistance in resolving
nuisance and public

need not be the fault of the beekeeper,

safety complaints. As

nor be a factor that is under the control of

well as maintain the BMP

the beekeeper.

document investigate

Any condition or combination of

recommend appropriate

issues, give advice and

circumstances that, in the opinion of the

Director, after consultation with the

actions.
Recommendations to be

Agricultural Commissioner and/or the

considered by ag

Agricultural Advisory Committee, is found

Commissioner.

to be inconsistent with beekeeping best

management practices or jeopardizes
endangers or otherwise constitutes an
actual, potential, or perceived menace to
public health or safety creates problems
contrary to public health, safety, or
general welfare or so as to constitute a
public nuisance will constitute be
considered valid cause to withdraw license
to keep bee colonies on the property.
Where license is withdrawn, all bee
colonies shall be abated as provided for in
Title 16.18 of the Sacramento County
Code. Such withdrawal may be appealed
to a hearing officer. the Board of Zoning
Appeals. Once any property owner has
been noticed of withdrawal of privilege to
keep bee colonies on a particular

17

property, such privilege may be

reestablished only upon written request
and approval of the Planning Director.
a.

Written documentation over a medical

doctors signature certifying that the
medical condition caused by beestings
to a resident of abutting property
would constitute a higher than normal
death-threatening or hospitalization
event will constitute sufficient cause to
withdraw the privilege of urban
beekeeping from any specific property.

b.

Abnormally aggressive behavior by

bees toward defending their hive
beyond the property lines may
constitute sufficient cause to withdraw
the privilege of urban beekeeping from
any specific property.
SABA recommends

3. Performance Standards
c. There shall be no more than two (2) bee

development of flyways
through screening and

colonies hives established on parcels

the development of

less than 10,000 square feet, except two

flyways rather than

(2) additional temporary colonies hives

arbitrary setbacks.

are allowed for hive separation or new

18

It is unlawful to permanently
keep, have or ranch more than
two beehives on a single parcel
of property within the city,
unless such parcel of property is
zoned A or A-OS by
applicable provisions of the
Planning and Development
Code, or unless such keeping,

harboring, or maintaining of
hives would constitute a valid
nonconforming use.

swarm establishment purposes. Such

temporary colonies hives shall be
removed from the property within two
(2) weeks.
d. There shall be no more than four (4) bee
hives established on parcels from

Working group was split

on hive limits.

10,000 to 20,000 square feet, except

four (4) additional temporary hives are
allowed for hive separation or new
swarm establishment purposes. Such
temporary hives shall be removed from
the property within two (2) weeks.

SABA recommends
development of flyways
through screening and
the development of
flyways rather than
arbitrary setbacks.

e. There shall be no more than six (6) bee

hives established on parcels greater
20,000 square feet, except six (6)
additional temporary hives are allowed
for hive separation or new swarm
establishment purposes. Such
temporary hives shall be removed from
the property within two (2) weeks.
f. Colonies Hives shall be placed in the rear
yard of the property and enclosed by a
latching fence. In no case shall the hives
be closer than 25 feet from a public or
private street or 15 feet from an abutting

19

(NOT IN CODE BUT ON WEBSITE

AS RECOMMENDATION)
Beekeepers associations
generally recommend the
following measures to minimize
conflicts with neighbors. The
primary goal is to avoid the bee
colonys flight path, which is
concentrated within the first
ten feet from the colonys
entrance:
Hives should be placed in a
quiet area and not directly
against a neighboring property
unless a solid fence or dense
plant barrier of six feet or
higher forms the property
boundary.
Where there is no fence or
flyway barrier, orient the
entrance to the hive away from
the entrances and walkways,
and toward the most distant
property line.
Maintain a clear flight path at
least ten feet from the hive
entrance.

property unless elevated on a roof or

balcony of a permanent structure. If
elevated, hives shall be located at least
15 feet from adjacent residential
structures.
g. Roof or ground level hives located within
20 feet of windows or doors of a primary
structure on an abutting parcel must be
situated so that hive openings are faced
in the opposite direction of the
structure.
h. A flyway of at least six (6) feet in height
comprising of a lattice fence, dense
hedge or similar barrier must be
established in front of openings of
ground level hives within 20 feet of
windows or doors of a primary structure
on an abutting parcel such that bees are
directed upward. The flyway shall be
located within three (3) feet of the
entrance to the hive and shall extend at
least two (2) feet in width on either side
of the hive.
i. A permanent fresh water source shall be
provided prior to the establishment of

20

bee hives and maintained within 15 feet

of the hives.
j. Except for hives that are maintained in
conjunction with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization, The hive(s) owners must
reside be a resident in a dwelling that is
located on the same parcel of land on
which hives(s) is are registered.

3.4.6

Stables and Corrals

3.4.6.C. An operator of a commercial or private stable shall not allow dust, odor, or flies to cause nuisance
or annoyance to any considerable number of persons in the neighborhood or the public and at a minimum
shall comply with the following:
1. All areas shall be maintained so as to be sufficiently dust-free so that no visible quantity of dust is
observable at the property lines of the parcel. This shall be done by maintaining sufficient natural
vegetation, by watering down corral area as often as necessary to prevent dust problems, or by
utilizing other more effective dust prevention methods.
2. The operator of a stable shall take every reasonable precaution to prevent the breeding of flies or
the emission of dust or odors into the neighborhood. Reasonable precautions shall include:
a. Routine manure and bedding clean out of stalls and routine cleanup of manure deposited on
the property.
b. Disposal of animal wastes, such as:
(i) Properly drying or composting away from neighboring properties.

21

(ii) Burying to a minimum depth of two (2) feet.

(iii)

Removal to approved disposal site.

3. All areas shall be maintained in a sanitary condition and in compliance with the following standards:
c. Water usage and drainage shall not mix with manure accumulations and shall not be disposed
of contrary to local and state requirements.
d. Animal feed shall be stored and utilized in a manner that will not encourage rodent
populations.

22