Showing ordinances that apply to Fruitdale, CA
Fruitdale is an unincorporated community (population 989) in Santa Clara County, California. Because Fruitdale is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal code. Instead, Santa Clara County ordinances apply directly to properties here. The livestock rules below are the ones that govern your area.
Livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep, and goats are allowed in Rural Residential, Hillside, and Agricultural zones of Santa Clara County. Minimum parcel sizes, stocking limits, and Right to Farm protections apply.
Livestock keeping in unincorporated Santa Clara County is zoning-dependent. Agricultural (A) and Agricultural Ranchland (AR) zones in the eastern foothills and along San Felipe Road are designed for large livestock operations; Hillside (HS) and Rural Residential (RR) zones allow small-scale livestock with minimum parcel sizes usually set at 1 acre for goats and sheep, 2.5 acres for horses, and 5 acres or more for cattle. Stocking rates typically cap at 1 animal unit per acre of grazeable land to prevent overgrazing and erosion, consistent with NRCS guidance. Manure management must comply with County Health Code and Regional Water Quality Control Board rules to prevent runoff into Coyote Creek and Guadalupe watersheds. California Civil Code 3482.5 (Right to Farm Act) protects existing agricultural operations from nuisance suits brought by new neighbors, provided operations are conducted consistent with standard practice. Disclosure is required during property sales near agricultural areas.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how Fruitdale's livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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