Chula Vista, CA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- CVMC Chapter 19.20 (Agricultural Zone)
- By-right uses
- Agriculture, one single-family dwelling, public parks
- CUP-required uses
- Poultry farms, kennels, riding stables, guest ranches
- A-8 minimum lot
- 8 acres, 300-ft width
- Height limit
- 2.5 stories / 35 feet
Summary
Chula Vista has no right-to-farm nuisance-immunity ordinance, but CVMC Chapter 19.20 establishes an Agricultural (A) Zone for rural, undeveloped land, permitting agriculture and one single-family dwelling by right while requiring a conditional use permit for poultry farms, kennels, riding stables and similar intensive uses.
19.20.010 Purpose and intent. The purpose of the agricultural zone is to provide a zone with appropriate uses for areas rural in character, which are undeveloped and not yet ready for urbanization. The zone is intended to preserve in agricultural use land which may be suited for eventual development in urban uses, and which will encourage proper timing for the economical provision of utilities, major streets, and other facilities, so that orderly development will occur. 19.20.020 Permitted uses. Principal permitted uses in the agricultural zone include: A. Agriculture, as defined in CVMC 19.04.002 (see CVMC 19.58.030 for "processing plants"); B. One single-family dwelling per lot or parcel; C. Public parks.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 3623, passed May 19, 2026).
Full Breakdown
010 states the A zone exists "to provide a zone with appropriate uses for areas rural in character, which are undeveloped and not yet ready for urbanization," intended to preserve land suited for eventual urban development while ensuring orderly timing of utilities and streets. 330. 030 include guest houses, home occupations, private garages, roadside stands up to 400 square feet for produce grown on the premises, noncommercial recreation facilities, and stables and corrals. 090. 070. Because Chula Vista is a city, this zone governs land inside city limits only; it does not extend to unincorporated county land such as neighboring Bonita.
Violations & Fines
Operating a conditional use listed in CVMC 19.20.040, poultry farms, kennels, riding stables, guest ranches, hay and feed stores, or plant nurseries, without an approved CUP is a zoning violation subject to code enforcement under the City's general administrative citation and civil penalty provisions in CVMC 1.41.100 et seq., which authorize fines starting at $100 for a first violation and escalating for repeat violations within 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chula Vista have a right-to-farm ordinance protecting farmers from nuisance suits?
Can I keep chickens or run a poultry operation on A-zoned land in Chula Vista?
How big does a lot need to be to build a house in the A zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chula Vista
California rules heatmap·Compare Chula Vista to another location·View the California right to farm overview
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Agricultural Zoning Protection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Diego County handle agricultural zoning protection.