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

Section 14-16.1700 states the purpose of the Exclusive Agricultural District: "to protect and foster agriculture, to permit all normal uses related to agriculture, and to prohibit those that would be in conflict." It adds that, insofar as is practicable, the intention is to retain solely for agricultural production lands of predominately Class I and Class II soils.

Principal permitted uses are listed in § 14-16.1701, and each is subject to an Administrative Review Permit issued without a public hearing by the Zoning Administrator. The list includes irrigated agriculture, nonirrigated agriculture, pasture and native grasses, agricultural animals, water supply reservoirs, wetlands, agricultural testing facilities, a farmworker dwelling unit, barns and storage buildings, fruit packing, drying and storage sheds, and greenhouses of 500 square feet or less. Stands limited to the display and sale of agricultural commodities produced on the premises are allowed but shall not exceed 400 square feet in area.

Section 14-16.1702 sends greenhouses in excess of 500 square feet and farmworker housing to a Special Use Permit issued through the public hearing process by the Commission.

Section 14-16.1703 sets the development standards: no structure shall exceed thirty-five (35') feet in height, lot width has a 300 foot minimum unless an exception is granted, and the lot area line prints 5 Acres and a 10 acre minimum unless an exception is granted. Front yard and rear yard are 20 feet, interior side yard is 5 feet, and accessory buildings shall not occupy more than fifty (50%) percent of the area of required rear yard.

The EM-A-2 Interim Agricultural District in Part 18 is separate. Its purpose in § 14-16.1800 is to preserve land in interim agricultural use and protect against premature urban development. Its stands may reach 1,000 square feet of gross floor area and shall be set back twenty (20') feet from all street or lot lines.