Marin County, CA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

08 of the Marin County Development Code sets the rules for land zoned A2, A3 through A60, and ARP. The A3-A60 districts require minimum lot areas that match their numeric suffix in acres: A3 needs 3 acres, A15 needs 15 acres, and A60 needs 60 acres, tracking the Countywide Plan's Agriculture 1, 2, and 3 categories. The A2 district requires only 2 acres and permits crop production, commercial gardening, livestock operations (grazing, large and small animals), dairying, and agricultural processing as principally permitted "P" uses needing no Use Permit, per Table 2-1.

30 maximum floor area ratio. 05. C requires that in A districts and ARP districts, homes, roads, and other non-agricultural development be clustered on no more than five percent of the gross acreage "to the extent feasible," with the remainder kept in agricultural production or open space, and sited to avoid new road construction, grading inconsistent with natural topography, and degradation of scenic resources or adjacent farm operations. D allows more than one single-family dwelling on agriculturally zoned land for the owner, a lessee, or family members engaged in agricultural use, so long as agriculture remains the primary use of the property as demonstrated to the Director's satisfaction. F.