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.
Lodi, CA
Vehicles parked on Lodi streets for more than 72 hours without moving are subject to towing under California Vehicle Code §22651(k). Inoperable vehicles (mis...
Lodi, CA
Lodi enforces the California Swimming Pool Safety Act and California Building Code Appendix V for residential pool enclosures, adopted through LMC Title 15 (...
Lodi, CA
Lodi regulates fences under LMC 17.14.100 (Fences and Walls) within the Development Code. Fences up to 7 feet on residential side and rear property lines are...
Lodi, CA
Lodi allows limited backyard fowl in residential zones under LMC Title 6 (Animals), Chapter 6.12. Roosters and crowing fowl are restricted, and large livesto...
Lodi, CA
Lodi adopts the California Residential Code through LMC Title 15 and requires hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms in all new dwellings and during permitt...
Lodi, CA
Lodi allows artificial turf as a water-conserving landscape material in residential yards, consistent with California's drought-response measures. Standard f...
See how Lodi's farm nuisance protection rules stack up against other locations.
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