Colusa County, CA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Min. parcel size, F-A/U-C
- 80 acres
- Min. parcel size, E-A
- 40 acres
- Min. parcel size, U-T/A-T
- 10 acres
- Front setback, ag structures
- 20-25 ft
- Max height, ag structures
- 50 ft
- Max misdemeanor fine
- $5,000
Summary
In unincorporated Colusa County, Zoning Code Chapter 44 divides farmland into five agricultural zones: Foothill Agriculture (F-A), Exclusive Agriculture (E-A), Upland Conservation (U-C), Upland Transition (U-T) and Agricultural Transition (A-T). Table 44-2.20-1 sets minimum parcel sizes from 80 acres in F-A and U-C down to 10 acres in A-T, with 20-25 foot front setbacks and a 50-foot cap on agricultural structure height.
A. Foothill Agriculture (F-A). The purpose of the F-A zone is to protect, support, and maintain a viable, long-term agricultural sector in areas of the County with soil types that are not optimal for crop production. The F-A zone is intended to be applied in areas where agricultural activities such as grazing, orchards, and vineyards are the natural and desirable primary land use, and where the protection of agriculture from the encroachment of incompatible land uses is essential to the general welfare and economic prosperity of the County. B. Exclusive Agriculture (E-A). The purpose of the E-A zone is to protect agricultural uses and agricultural operations in areas where fertile soils particularly suited to crop production are present, areas where agriculture is the natural and desirable primary land use, and where the protection of agriculture from the encroachment of incompatible land uses is essential to the general welfare and economic prosperity of the County.
Full Breakdown
The Community Development Department administers these zones under the Board of Supervisors' Zoning Code, adopted August 26, 2014. 10(A) states the F-A zone exists to protect, support and maintain a viable, long-term agricultural sector on soils not optimal for crop production, applied where grazing, orchards and vineyards are the primary use. 10(B) gives the E-A zone the same protective purpose on fertile soils particularly suited to crop production. Both sections tie the zoning to keeping the protection of agriculture from the encroachment of incompatible land uses central to the county's general welfare and economic prosperity.
20-1 sets the numbers: minimum parcel size is 80 acres in F-A and U-C, 40 acres in E-A, and 10 acres in U-T and A-T (A-T splits further into A-T-10 and A-T-20 subzones). Minimum parcel width is 100 feet and depth 200 feet across all five zones. Agricultural structures get a 25-foot front setback in F-A, E-A and U-C (20 feet in U-T and A-T), a 20-foot side setback, and a 50-foot maximum height, with accessory agricultural structures allowed up to 100 feet in F-A/E-A/U-C and 50 feet in U-T/A-T. Non-agricultural structures are capped at 30 feet. 130. 80.
Violations & Fines
Any use or structure that conflicts with these zoning standards is a public nuisance under Section 44-1.130.040, subject to abatement under Chapter 42. Section 44-1.130.030 makes a knowing violation a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $5,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both, with abatement still required regardless of any criminal penalty. The Director enforces the chapter under Section 44-1.130.020 and can pursue permit revocation under Article 44-1.90.090 if a permit condition goes uncorrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum lot size to farm in unincorporated Colusa County?
How tall can a barn be on agricultural land here?
Can I build a second house on my farm parcel?
What happens if I violate the agricultural zoning setbacks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Colusa County
California rules heatmap·Compare Colusa County to another location·View the California right to farm overview
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