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.
Palm Springs, CA
Palm Springs restricts amplified music at residential properties, vacation rentals, and outdoor spaces under PSMC Ch. 11.74 with strict nighttime decibel lim...
Palm Springs, CA
Palm Springs enforces California Vehicle Code §22651 and §22669 and Palm Springs Municipal Code Chapter 12 to remove abandoned vehicles from streets and priv...
Palm Springs, CA
Palm Springs does not impose a citywide ban on overnight on-street parking in residential neighborhoods, but the 72-hour stationary limit under Palm Springs ...
Palm Springs, CA
Palm Springs requires a building permit and engineered plans for any retaining wall over 4 feet in height (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top...
Palm Springs, CA
Palm Springs defers to California Civil Code §841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) for shared boundary fences. Adjoining property owners are presumed to benefit equ...
Palm Springs, CA
Palm Springs enforces California Building Code Appendix V and Health & Safety Code §115920–115929 (the Swimming Pool Safety Act) requiring barriers at least ...
See how Palm Springs's farm nuisance protection rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.