The California Right to Farm Act under Civil Code 3482.5 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits brought by neighbors who moved in after farming began. The law applies statewide and limits both private and local government nuisance actions.
Civil Code 3482.5 provides that no agricultural activity, operation, or facility conducted on agricultural land for commercial purposes shall be considered a nuisance, private or public, after it has been in operation for more than three years if the operation was not a nuisance at its inception. The protection extends against changed surrounding conditions, including new residential development encroaching on farm areas. The statute applies statewide and binds counties, cities, and private parties. Local nuisance ordinances cannot override the state's three-year farming protection. Operations conducted negligently or in violation of state or federal law lose protection.
Plaintiffs filing barred nuisance actions may face dismissal and statutory attorney fees under Civil Code 3482.5(b) when the agricultural defendant prevails.
Placer County, CA
Habitual barking that disturbs the peace of neighbors is regulated under the Placer County animal control regulations in Chapter 6 (Article 6.08) of the Plac...
Placer County, CA
Placer County Code Section 9.36.030 exempts construction noise from the County's general noise standards between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Monday through Frida...
Placer County, CA
Unincorporated Placer County regulates noise under Placer County Code Chapter 9, Article 9.36. Daytime (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) exterior sound at residentia...
Placer County, CA
Placer County Code Article 10.24 implements California Vehicle Code §§22660 and 22669, authorizing the County to remove abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or in...
Lincoln, CA
The City of Lincoln limits residential fence heights primarily through Title 18 (Zoning) of the Lincoln Municipal Code. Fences taller than 6 feet require a b...
Placer County, CA
Placer County's beekeeping ordinance (Placer County Code 17.56.050.G, adopted 2021) allows hobbyist beekeeping countywide subject to setbacks of at least 50 ...
See how Lincoln's farm nuisance protection rules stack up against other locations.
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