Right to Farm in San Diego County, CA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in San Diego County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of San Diego County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Farm Nuisance Protection

Sellers of residential property in unincorporated San Diego County must give buyers a written disclosure that a nearby farm may cause noise, odors, dust or spraying. State Civil Code shields the farm from nuisance suits once it has run three years without complaint.

San Diego County Right-to-Farm Disclosure

Some Restrictions

San Diego County Code §§ 63.401-63.402

A property owner selling real property intended for residential use in the unincorporated area of the County shall provide a written disclosure to a prospective purchaser of the property that contains the following information, on a disclosure form that complies with Civil Code section 1102.6a: "Commercial agricultural operations are located throughout the unincorporated area of San Diego Count...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Agricultural Zoning Protection

In unincorporated San Diego County, land inside a designated Agricultural Preserve carries an A designator under Zoning Ordinance Sections 5100 through 5110, restricting nearby permit approvals to protect ongoing farming. No Minor or Major Use Permit near preserve land can be granted unless the County finds the new use will not undercut the farm operations already there.

San Diego County Agricultural Preserve Protections

Some Restrictions

San Diego County Zoning Ordinance § 5110

5110 REQUIRED FINDINGS. No use permit shall be granted unless the following findings are made: a. State Statute. The proposed use complies with all provisions of the California Land Conservation Act of 1965; and b. Compatibility with Agricultural Use. The proposed use would not be incompatible with the continued agricultural use of any land within the agricultural preserve. This determination s...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗