Right to Farm in Monterey County, CA (2026)
2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Monterey County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Farm Nuisance Protection
Chapter 16.40 of the Monterey County Code shields commercial farms on unincorporated agricultural land from nuisance lawsuits once they've operated more than three years without being a nuisance when they began, so long as they follow proper and accepted customs. Real-estate sellers near farmland and building-permit applicants must be told the ordinance exists.
Monterey County Right-to-Farm Nuisance Protection
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 16.40.030(A)-(B)
16.40.030 - Properly operated farm not a nuisance. A.No agricultural operation, farm operation, or agricultural activity, facility, or appurtenance thereof, conducted or maintained for commercial purposes, and in a manner consistent with proper and accepted customs and standards, as established and followed by similar agricultural operations in the same locality, shall be or become a nuisance, ...
Agricultural Zoning Protection
Monterey County's Limited Agricultural, or "A", combining district caps livestock density and steers intensive farming into suitable land, applying only in the unincorporated area outside the Coastal Zone under Title 21. It layers onto whatever base district it's combined with, permitting modest animal husbandry, crop and tree farming, plus product stands, while pushing commercial kennels and riding academies through a Use Permit.
Monterey County Limited Agricultural (A) Zoning
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code §§ 21.48.030, 21.48.050
21.48.030 - Uses allowed. 1.All uses permitted in the respective district with which the "A" District is combined;2.Animal husbandry and small livestock farming; provided, that not more than one horse, mule, cow, or steer or similar livestock shall be kept for each twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of area;3.Crop farming, tree farming, viticulture and horticulture;4.Stands for the sale of ag...
Right to Farm by City in Monterey County
1 cities in Monterey County have their own right to farm rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Monterey County ordinances
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