San Benito County, CA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Notice mailed
- with annual tax statements
- Applies near
- agricultural zoning districts
- Leases must
- include the disclosure
- Disputes go to
- county mediation committee
Summary
San Benito County's Agricultural Community Disclosure ordinance tells property owners in unincorporated San Benito County to expect agricultural operations near ag-zoned land and requires that notice with deeds and tax bills.
The purpose of this article is to inform the owners and possessors of property in the county that the use and enjoyment of property in the county depends on the zoning district within which the property lies. Since the county is an agricultural community, much property lies within, or adjacent to, a zoning district that allows some form of agricultural operations to exist. Therefore, owners and possessors of property in the county should expect that the use and enjoyment of their property will depend on the subject zoning district’s permissible and conditional uses, which uses in many cases will be a form of agricultural operations. (1966 Code, § 2A-2) (Ord. 624, § 2(part))
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: current through Ordinance 1078).
Full Breakdown
Because much of unincorporated San Benito County lies within or next to zoning districts that allow agricultural operations, the county's disclosure ordinance puts buyers, lessees, and property owners on notice that their use and enjoyment of the land depends on the zoning district's permitted and conditional uses. The county mails a copy of the disclosure statement with annual tax statements, requires it acknowledged in leases of unincorporated property, and attaches it to deed recordings. If a dispute over agricultural operations arises, either party can request mediation by a committee drawn from the Agricultural Commissioner, Cooperative Extension, County Counsel, Planning Director, and Public Works Director.
Violations & Fines
The ordinance doesn't itself penalize property owners; it protects agricultural operations from being treated as a nuisance under the zoning district's permitted uses and channels disputes into county mediation before litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Benito County have a right-to-farm law?
Where does the disclosure requirement apply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Benito County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Benito County to another location·View the California right to farm overview
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