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.
South San Francisco, CA
South San Francisco regulates noise under SSFMC Chapter 8.32 (Noise Regulations). The ordinance prohibits loud, unnecessary noise disturbing neighborhood pea...
South San Francisco, CA
South San Francisco prohibits nuisance barking under the general noise ordinance (SSFMC Ch. 8.32). Animal control in SSF is provided by Peninsula Humane Soci...
South San Francisco, CA
South San Francisco permits construction with a valid city permit weekdays 8 AMβ8 PM, Saturdays 9 AMβ8 PM, and Sundays/holidays 10 AMβ6 PM. Equipment noise c...
South San Francisco, CA
South San Francisco enforces CVC 72-hour abandonment rule, street sweeping restrictions, and residential time-limit zones. The city is densely developed (bio...
South San Francisco, CA
South San Francisco requires vehicles to be parked on legal paved parking areas. Blocking public sidewalks is prohibited. Garage conversion ADUs do not requi...
South San Francisco, CA
South San Francisco restricts large commercial vehicles from parking in residential zones. South San Francisco's industrial character means commercial vehicl...
See how South San Francisco'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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.