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

The Yorba Linda Municipal Code zones large-lot agricultural land as Residential Agricultural (R-A) under Zoning Code Chapter 18.10, requiring a minimum lot size of one acre and capping density at one dwelling unit per acre. Section 18.10.020 designates the R-A zone for general agricultural purposes and low-density residential uses, permitting large rural estates, commercial and non-commercial agriculture, grazing, and accessory buildings such as barns and equipment sheds. The keeping of equine, cleft-hoofed and other animals is allowed either as an accessory use or as the primary use, including operation of an equestrian center.

Farms, ranches, wholesale nurseries and single-family residences are all permitted uses within the R-A zone, and Table 18.10-1 extends agriculture, horticulture and grazing as a permitted use across every residential zone from R-A through R-M, with a conditional use permit required in the higher-density R-M-20 and R-M-30 zones. Beyond zoning, the City's noise ordinance shields working farms from complaint-driven enforcement: Section 8.32.090 exempts mechanical equipment used to protect crops from frost damage, mobile noise sources tied to agricultural operations, and agricultural pest-control spraying under a restricted-materials permit, as long as the agricultural noise does not occur between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and Saturday, or at any time on Sunday or a federal holiday.

Community Development enforces the zoning boundaries and permitted-use table; converting R-A land to a use outside Table 18.10-1 is a prohibited use subject to code enforcement.