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

Highland's agricultural zoning is the Agricultural Equestrian (A/EQ) District, the first residential development district listed in HMC § 16.16.020. Its stated purpose is to provide for and protect a rural atmosphere and lifestyle, as an area for low density, large lot, single-family detached dwellings at a maximum allowable density of two dwelling units per gross acre.

Table 16.16.040.B, Residential Site Development Standards, gives the A/EQ column its numbers: a minimum building site of 20,000 square feet net area, a minimum lot width of 100 feet, a minimum lot depth of 120 feet, a minimum front yard setback of 35 feet, and maximum lot coverage of 30 percent. Footnote e sets the minimum front yard setback from private streets within the A/EQ District at 65 feet measured from the centerline of the street.

Farming and animal keeping ride on top of the district rules. HMC § 16.44.040 says all agricultural and animal keeping or husbandry land uses must comply with it in addition to the applicable provisions of the zone district. Its intent is to keep those uses from creating adverse impacts on adjacent properties such as dust, noise, odor, fumes, bright light, visual blight, or insect infestation. HMC § 16.40.040 applies the same section to any parcel used for residential purposes, whether or not the parcel is in a residential district.

The protection for existing operations is written into subsection C. A legally established agricultural or animal keeping use that became nonconforming when the title was adopted can continue as a legal nonconforming use if it meets HMC § 16.08.150.

In the Open Space district use table, agricultural uses, meaning all types of agriculture, horticulture, and raising of animals in accord with § 16.44.040, are permitted by right, and the sale of products raised on the premises is permitted. Commercial nurseries are addressed in subsection G, where outdoor storage and display are limited solely to the retail sale of the nursery plant stock.