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.
Reedley, CA
RMC 5-1-18(E) sets a 5-dB-over-ambient threshold at the property line. For apartments and condos, measurement is taken within the adjoining unit. No zone-spe...
Reedley, CA
Reedley has no local aircraft noise ordinance. The Reedley Municipal Airport (O32) operates under FAA regulations. Federal law preempts local noise rules for...
Reedley, CA
RMC 5-3-10 prohibits animals creating excessive noise. Fines escalate from $100 to $500 per offense. A fourth violation in 12 months requires permanent remov...
Reedley, CA
RMC 5-1-18 targets amplified sound devices. Sound audible at 25 feet is prima facie excessive. Authorized public events with amplified music are exempt under...
Reedley, CA
Commercial vehicles on residential property follow the same RMC 6-2-4 rules: enclosed storage, behind a 5 ft fence, or screened driveway. No front-yard repai...
Reedley, CA
RMC Chapter 10.34 sets fence height limits by yard location. Front yards are limited to lower heights; side and rear yards allow taller fences. Sight triangl...
See how Reedley's farm nuisance protection rules stack up against other locations.
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