This article provides standards for specific agriculture and resource-based land uses in all zones.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. The commercial growing and harvesting of agricultural crops.

1.

Includes:

a.

Growing and harvesting shrubs, plants, flowers, trees, vines, fruits, vegetables, hay, grain and similar food and fiber crops.

b.

The preparation of soil for the raising of agricultural crops.

c.

Incidental cleaning, storage, packing, and similar preparation of crops grown on site, at the time of harvest or shortly thereafter.

2.

Excludes:

a.

Cannabis cultivation.

b.

Agricultural support services.

c.

Visitor-serving uses.

d.

Processing of agricultural crops where the crop is changed from its natural state to a different form (see "agricultural processing").

e.

The growing and harvesting of crops in greenhouses or similar structures (see "indoor crop cultivation").

B.

Standards.

1.

Crop production must comply with applicable provisions of Article 65 (RC riparian corridor combining zone) and Chapter 36 (vineyard and orchard development ordinance); which may require a use permit.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Changing an agricultural product from its natural state to a different form, as grapes to wine, apples to juice or sauce.

1.

Includes: Preparing agricultural products not grown on-site, processing agricultural products grown or produced primarily on-site or in the local area, storage of agricultural products grown or processed on-site, and bottling or canning of agricultural products grown or processed on-site.

2.

Excludes: Cannabis processing and animal product processing.

B.

Permits. Conditional use permit is required.

C.

Standards.

1.

LIA, LEA, DA, AR zones: the use must be sized to accommodate, but not exceed, the needs of the on-site growing or processing operation. (General Plan policy AR-5c)

2.

AR zone:

a.

The use is limited to processing of agricultural products grown or produced on site, and botting, canning, or storage of agricultural products grown and processed on site.

b.

The combined square footage of all buildings for processing or storage shall not exceed:

(1)

Two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet on parcels of five (5) acres or less; and

(2)

Five thousand (5,000) square feet on parcels greater than five (5) acres.

c.

Agricultural products imported from offsite sources shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the average onsite agricultural production. This limitation does not apply during periods of catastrophic crop or animal loss caused by extreme weather, pestilence, or similar conditions.

3.

MP zone: Limited to wineries meeting effluent pre-treatment requirements. Tasting rooms and retail sales not allowed.

4.

M1, M2, M3 zones: Incidental retail sale of agricultural products processed on the site is allowed.

5.

LIA, LEA, DA zones: Wineries, winery visitor serving activities, and winery events are subject to Winery Definitions and Standards in Section 26-18-260.

D.

Findings LIA, LEA, DA, AR Zones. To approve an Agricultural Processing facility in the LIA, LEA, DA, or AR zone that processes products grown off-site, the review authority must find that the facility will be consistent with General Plan policy AR-5c.

(Ord. No. 6404, § IV, 3-14-2023; Ord. No. 6403, 3-7-2023; Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. An agricultural processing operation that meets the performance standards in Section 26-88-210 (small-scale agricultural processing facility).

1.

Excludes: Production of alcoholic or Cannabis products, animal slaughter and/or meat cutting and packing, cottage food operations.

B.

Permits. Zoning Permit required.

C.

Standards. See Section 26-88-210 (small-scale agricultural processing facility).

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. A commercial service that provides services purchased by farmers and agricultural enterprises. Includes farm product processing services, custom farming services, agricultural waste handling and disposal services, veterinary clinics, farm machinery and equipment maintenance and repair; irrigation, and vineyard management services.

B.

Standards.

1.

Permitted Use. Agricultural support services involving no more than one (1) employee and occupying no more than one-half (½) acre of land are allowed without a use permit.

2.

Conditional Use. Agricultural Support Services may occupy an area:

a.

LIA zone: Agricultural support services with more than one (1) and a maximum of three (3) employees or occupying more than one-half (½) acre of land.

b.

LEA, DA, and AS zones: two (2) or more employees allowed with a use permit.

3.

LIA, LEA, DA Criteria. Agricultural support services in the LIA, LEA, and DA zones are subject at minimum to the criteria of general plan policies AR-5e and AR-5f. Such services may include incidental sales of products related to the support service use but shall not include additional walk-in, over-the-counter retail sales.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. A private or commercial activity where beehives are kept on a property.

B.

Standards. No unique use-specific standards.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. The raising, feeding, maintaining and breeding of farm animals where animals are continuously confined in enclosed pens or similar structures, the majority of animal feed is provided by facility management rather than grazing, and animal wastes are concentrated on site.

1.

Includes: Dairies, hog farms, veal production, and chicken and turkey ranches, and similar livestock where animals are continuously confined.

2.

Excludes: Horses, goats, sheep, and similar farm animals.

B.

Permits.

1.

Zoning Permit: facilities five hundred feet (500') or more from a nonagricultural land use category.

2.

Use Permit: facilities within five hundred feet (500') of a nonagricultural land use category.

C.

Standards.

1.

Minimum parcel area: two (2) acres.

2.

Prior to zoning permit approval, the Sonoma County Health Services Department and the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board must approve a confined animal management plan for the use.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. The raising, feeding, maintaining and breeding of farm animals which are not continuously confined.

1.

Excludes: Confined farm animal facilities, the keeping of household pets and wild or exotic animals.

B.

Standards.

1.

Maximum Number of Animals.

a.

Animal limits apply only to parcels:

(1)

2 acres or less in the LIA, LEA, DA, RRD, AR, and PCRR zones; and

(2)

5 acres or less in the RR zone

b.

When animal limits apply, not more than one (1) of the following animal uses in Table 18-1 is permitted per twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of land area.

Table 18-1:Maximum Number of Farm Animals per twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of land area

c.

LIA, LEA, DA, RRD and AR zones: The above limitations may be modified by the Director upon submittal of a proposal statement which describes the extent of the domestic farming use and which is signed by the owners of all property within three hundred feet (300') of the subject property. If the project exceeds the limitations in Table 18-1 , the director may require the applicant to obtain a use permit if the director determines that the project might be detrimental to surrounding uses.

d.

LIA, LEA, DA, RRD, AR, RR, and PCRR zones: 4-H and FFA animal husbandry projects are exempt from the limitations in Table 18-1 if the project is on a parcel twenty thousand (20,000) square feet or more and the project advisor submits a letter of project authorization to the department. However if the project exceeds the limitations in Table 18-1 , the director may require a use permit for the project upon determining that the project may be detrimental to surrounding uses.

e.

RR zone: On a lot 5 acres or more, the number of animals may exceed Table 18-1 with a use permit.

f.

RRD and AR zones: Temporary or seasonal sales and promotion of livestock raised on the site is allowed.

2.

Hens in R1 Zone.

a.

In the R1 zone, raising, feeding, and maintaining of up to six (6) hens is allowed. Hens must have access to chicken coop and contained within a secure enclosure which prevents animal trespass.

b.

The coop and pen shall be located in the rear yard of the property and maintained in a sanitary condition.

(Ord. No. 6403, 3-7-2023; Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Corrals or holding areas for the primary purpose of holding or feeding animals for market and not incidental to a farm or ranch.

1.

Includes: Specialized and intensive commercial animal facilities such as animal sales yards, stockyards, and cattle feedlots where most feed is imported or purchased.

2.

Excludes: Slaughterhouses, rendering plants.

B.

Standards. No unique use-specific standards.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. A facility, licensed by the Sonoma County Public Health Department, on which five (5) to ten (10) dogs and/or five (5) to ten (10) cats over four (4) months of age are owned and kept by the owner or occupant for personal, noncommercial purposes.

1.

Includes: Keeping of animals for hunting, tracking, exhibiting at shows, exhibitions, field trials and other competitions, enhancing or perpetuating a given breed.

2.

Excludes: Dogs or cats used in conjunction with an agricultural operation on the site.

B.

Standards.

1.

Minimum lot size: one (1) acre.

2.

May not sell, display, offer for sale, barter, or give away more than four (4) litters of puppies and/or four (4) litters of kittens in any calendar year.

3.

Requires a pet fancier license from the division of animal regulation which must be renewed annually.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. The raising of fish, frogs, or other aquatic animal species for commercial purposes.

B.

Standards.

1.

Prohibited on prime soils.

2.

Shall not adversely affect biotic resources.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. A commercial facility that produces compost from the onsite and/or offsite organic material fraction of the waste stream in compliance with California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 7.

1.

Excludes: Non-commercial composting.

B.

Standards.

1.

LEA, DA, and RRD zones: Commercial composting is subject to general plan policy AR-4a.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Composting that is an incidental part of an agricultural operation and relies primarily upon onsite material to amend soils onsite or on adjacent parcels owned or operated by the same property owner.

B.

Standards. No unique use-specific standards.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. A retail facility for year-round sales of agricultural products grown or raised on the site or other properties owned or leased by the farm operator, and pre-packaged goods processed from onsite agricultural production.

1.

Includes: Dairy and meat products that require refrigeration.

2.

Excludes: Tasting rooms serving alcoholic beverages; farm stands.

B.

Permits. Zoning permit required.

C.

Standards.

1.

General. See Section 26-88-215 (farm retail sales).

2.

Goods Not Produced On-Site. Incidental sales of merchandise or goods not produced on site is limited to ten percent (10%) of the floor area up to a maximum of fifty (50) square feet.

3.

Product Sampling. Sampling of products grown or processed on-site may be allowed with a retail food facility permit.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. An area for the temporary or seasonal sales and promotion of agricultural products that are grown or raised on the site; and pre-packaged, shelf stable goods processed from onsite agricultural production.

1.

Includes: Sale of produce, eggs, honey, jams, pickles, nuts, olive oil, and similar products; sampling of non-alcoholic beverages; community supported agriculture, U-Pick and U-Cut operations.

2.

Excludes: Tasting rooms serving alcoholic beverages; farm retail sales.

B.

Standards.

1.

Must comply with Food and Agricultural Code Section 47050 and Public Health and Safety Code Section 113778.2.

2.

Sampling of products grown on-site requires a retail food facility permit.

3.

Incidental sales of merchandise or goods not produced on site is limited to ten percent (10%) of the floor area up to a maximum of fifty (50) square feet.

4.

RR zone: Limited to one (1) stand per property.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. The growing and harvesting of shrubs, plants, flowers, trees, vines, fruits, vegetables, hay, grain and similar food and fiber crops, in greenhouses or similar structures

1.

Excludes: Cannabis cultivation.

B.

Use Permit Required.

1.

AR, RRD and PCRRD zones: greenhouses and other similar structures over eight hundred (800) square feet in RRD and PCRRD zones require a use permit.

C.

Standards:

1.

LIA, LEA, and DA zones: The area on a property occupied by a greenhouse or other similar structure used for indoor crop cultivation shall not exceed two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet.

2.

RR zone: The area on a property occupied by a greenhouse or other similar structure used for indoor crop cultivation shall not exceed eight hundred (800) square feet.

(Ord. No. 6403, 3-7-2023; Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Management of land for watershed, for fish and wildlife habitat, fish rearing ponds, hunting and fishing, grazing.

1.

TP zone: Includes recreational and educational uses, with or without fee (swimming, hunting, fishing, occasional camping, etc.).

B.

Standards.

1.

LIA, LEA, DA, RRD, and TP zones: Allowed only when incidental to a primary use.

2.

TP zone:

a.

Permanent improvements prohibited.

b.

Shall not interfere with the primary use of the property.

3.

RRD and TP zones: Incidental grazing allowed.

4.

On a parcel under a Williamson Act contract, use must be consistent with Government Code Section 51200 et seq. (the Williamson Act) and local rules and regulations.

(Ord. No. 6403, 3-7-2023; Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Removing mineral substances from a pit, quarry, or excavation in the earth in compliance with Sonoma County Code Chapter 26A (surface mining regulations), Section 34.2.29.100 (mineral resources combining zone) and the Sonoma County Aggregate Resources Management Plan.

1.

Includes: Hardrock quarry operations, instream operations, river terrace operations.

2.

Excludes: Grading and excavation in conjunction with other allowed construction activities, development of geothermal or water resources.

B.

Standards.

1.

Must be within the surface mining combining district (MR) and comply with county code Chapter 26A (Surface Mining).

2.

Must comply with Sonoma County Aggregate Management (ARM) Plan, on file with the department.

3.

Hardrock quarry operations are allowed only if they meet all of the following standards:

a.

Must be consistent with the purpose(s) of the parcel's base zone.

b.

Minimum land area: five (5) acres.

c.

Maximum annual production: five thousand (5,000) cubic yards.

d.

Shall not include crushing, screening, or batching operations.

e.

Subject to payment of fees and other mitigation measures as may be found consistent with the aggregate resources management (ARM) plan.

f.

Approved reclamation plan required.

g.

Maximum distance from the nearest approved source of aggregate materials: four (4) miles.

h.

Prohibited on land subject to a Williamson Act contract.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. The commercial production of food, medicine, and other products by the cultivation of mushrooms and other fungi.

1.

Includes. Outdoor logs, indoor trays.

B.

Standards: No unique use-specific standards.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. An establishment engaged in the commercial production of trees, plants, seeds, stock, and other vegetation grown on site outdoors either in the ground or in containers for wholesale distribution to other businesses.

1.

Excludes: Cannabis nurseries.

B.

Standards. No unique use-specific standards.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. A retail food facility where one (1) or more agricultural products grown or processed in the county are tasted and sold. Agricultural products sold may include alcoholic beverages.

1.

Includes: Wine tastings, olive oil, honey, fruit preserves.

2.

Excludes: Farm stands, farm retail sales.

B.

Standards.

1.

Shall not require the extension of sewer and water.

2.

RRD zone: Allowed only for agricultural products grown or processed onsite.

3.

LIA, LEA, DA zones: Wine tasting rooms, winery visitor serving activities, and winery events are subject to Winery Definitions and Standards in Section 26-18-260.

C.

General Plan Consistency.

1.

Must be consistent with general plan policy AR 6-d and AR 6-f.

(Ord. No. 6404, § V, 3-14-2023; Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition.

1.

RRD zone: The management of lands and forests to grow and harvest timber for commercial purposes.

2.

TP zone: Management of lands and forests for the primary use of commercial production and harvest of trees.

B.

Includes:

1.

RRD zone:

2.

TP zone: Removal of timber and fuel wood; uses integrally related to growing, harvesting, and on-site processing of forest products including roads, log landings, log storage areas, and incidental logging camps; timber management, including planting, raising, harvesting, and incidental milling for noncommercial purposes of trees and logs for lumber or fuel woods; establishing and maintaining gas, electric, or water generating and transmission facilities, including necessary structures; the production and harvesting of miscellaneous compatible forest products such as Christmas trees and greenery; contractor equipment storage incidental to the on-site growing and harvesting of forest products, including parking, repairing and storage of equipment so used; temporary or seasonal sales and promotion, and incidental storage of fuel wood grown on site; controlled burns. Also includes timber management, including planting, raising, harvesting and incidental milling for noncommercial purposes of trees and logs for lumber or fuel woods, subject to requirements of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

C.

Standards.

1.

TP: Construction of permanent structures necessary for contractor equipment storage incidental to on-site growing and harvesting of forest products, including parking, repairing and storage of equipment so used, is subject to Article 82.

(Ord. No. 6403, 3-7-2023; Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Storage of large equipment, vehicles, and/or other materials commonly used in timber operations or production.

1.

Off-site. A storage yard not located on property which is included in the timber harvesting plan, for off-site growing and harvesting of forest products, including packing, repairing, and storage of equipment so used.

2.

On-site and Incidental. A timber operations storage yard located on the same property of the applicable timber harvesting plan and incidental to the primary use of the land for timber operations.

3.

Standards.

a.

Permanent structures require design review.

b.

RRD zone: Off-site storage yards prohibited on property subject to Williamson Act contract.

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. A facility that cuts and processes timber to produce lumber products.

1.

Includes: Saw mills, lumber, planing and logging mills, pulp mills, particle board plants, mill and log ponds, earth-filled dams, and associated uses.

2.

Excludes: Temporary portable mills.

B.

Standards.

a.

Not permitted on land subject to a Williamson Act contract.

(Ord. No. 6403, 3-7-2023; Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Definition. Timberland Conversion as defined in Forest Practice Rules Section 1100, except that Timberland Conversion shall not include the conversion of less than three (3) acres of timberland for the purpose of constructing a structure in compliance with a valid building permit where the conversion is limited to the cutting and removal of the minimum number of trees necessary to accommodate the structure and related improvements.

1.

Minor Timberland Conversion. A Timberland Conversion that is exempt from a Timberland Conversion Permit under Section 1104.1, subdivision (a), of the forest practice rules.

2.

Major Timberland Conversion. A timberland conversion that requires a timberland conversion permit, or is exempt from a timberland conversion permit under Section 1104.2 of the forest practice rule.

B.

Permits. See Sections 26-88-140 (minor timberland conversions), 26-88-150 timberland conversions of less than three (3) acres in the TP (timberland production) district, 26-88-160 (major timberland conversions).

C.

Standards. See Sections 26-88-140 (minor timberland conversions), 26-88-150 timberland conversions of less than three (3) acres in the TP (timberland production) district, 26-88-160 (major timberland conversions).

(Ord. No. 6335, § III(Exh. A), 2-9-2021)

A.

Purpose. This Section 26-18-260 provides a greater level of detail for the desired character of development in areas zoned LIA - Land Intensive Agriculture, LEA - Land Extensive Agriculture, and DA - Diverse Agriculture. For the areas zoned LIA, LEA, and DA, this Section 26-18-260 identifies procedures and criteria applicable to new or modified use permit applications for winery visitor serving activities and winery events. The Standards in this division shall be referred to as "Winery Definitions and Standards."

B.

Applicable Areas. The provisions of this section apply to parcels zoned LIA - Land Intensive Agriculture, LEA-Land Extensive Agriculture, and DA -Diverse Agriculture. For split-zoned parcels, the provisions of this section apply to the portion of the parcel zoned for any of the agricultural zoning districts listed above.

C.

Local Advisory Guidelines. Citizen advisory councils/commissions established by the board of supervisors review projects subject to this section in accordance with their adopted local advisory guidelines, and make advisory recommendations to the applicable decision maker.

D.

Terms and phrases used in this section are defined as follows:

1.

Restaurant is a retail business selling ready-to-eat food for consumption on or off the premises, as defined by Section 26-26-140 of the Zoning Code.

2.

Winery means an agricultural processing facility that converts fruit into wine. Wineries may include crush areas, production rooms, case goods and barrel storage, tank rooms, warehouses, bottling lines, laboratories, administrative offices, tasting rooms, event space, commercial kitchen, and catering kitchen.

3.

Winery Events means events held at wineries and tasting rooms for the purpose of promoting and marketing agricultural products grown or processed in the County, and which exceed the permanent infrastructure capacity of the site and are outside the regular business hours for tasting rooms. Winery events are secondary and incidental to agricultural production activities occurring onsite and/or in the area and are consistent with General Plan Policy AR-6d. There are two (2) types of winery events: Agricultural Promotional Events and Industry-Wide Events.

4.

Agricultural Promotional Events beyond defined activities during standard daily operations that are directly related to public education, sales and promotion of agricultural products to consumers, including but not limited to: winemaker lunches, dinners, release parties, and wine club parties and similar events.

5.

Industry-Wide Events are promotional activities sponsored by a recognized wine industry association that may involve multiple wineries and/or tasting rooms. Industry-wide events are held within a specified geographic area, during regular tasting room hours, and may last up to three (3) consecutive days.

6.

Wine Trade Partners means distributors, wine trade buyers, restaurant owners and their representatives, winery or tasting room owner(s), winery employees, and tasting room employees.

7.

Winery Visitor Serving Activities means visitor serving activities that are part of standard daily winery and wine tasting room operations. Standard daily operations do not include events or use of overflow parking. There are two (2) types of winery visitor-serving activities: Sales Activities and Wine Trade Activities.

8.

Sales Activities are wine tasting, food and wine pairing, tours, seminars and other hospitality related activities that support the promotion of wine sales, excluding winery events. Sales Activities occur during the approved tasting room hours of operation specified in the use permit.

9.

Wine Trade Activities are by-invitation meetings, seminars, employee harvest parties and similar activities, excluding events. Wine Trade Activities are attended only by wine trade partners and are not advertised to the consumer. Wine Trade Activities are intended to be low impact activities with a prohibition on outdoor amplified sound after 5:00 p.m.

E.

Operating Standards.

1.

Winery Visitor Serving Activities. Winery visitor serving activities are considered part of normal winery and tasting room business operations. All winery visitor serving activities must be consistent with the hours of operation, maximum number of guests allowed, building occupancy limits, and operational requirements specified in the use permit.

2.

Winery Events. Winery events must be consistent with the hours of operation, maximum number of event days, maximum number of guests allowed, building occupancy limits, and operational requirements specified in the use permit.

3.

Sizing of winery visitor serving activities and winery events, and maximum number of event days is based upon a variety of factors specific to the site and surrounding uses, including, but not limited to, septic capacity, available water supply, emergency access, availability of on-site parking, noise attenuation, increased risk of harm to people or property as a result of hazards, and the potential for negative cumulative effects related to noise, traffic, and water supplies.

4.

Hours of Operation. The maximum hours of operation for winery visitor serving activities and winery events are specified below, unless further limited by the use permit.

a.

Tasting Rooms. Regular business hours for tasting rooms are 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

b.

Winery Visitor Serving Activities. The maximum hours of operation for winery visitor-serving activities are specified below by activity type.

(1)

Sales Activities: 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

(2)

Wine Trade Activities: 8:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m.

c.

Winery Events. The maximum hours of operation for events are specified below by event type.

(1)

Agricultural Promotional Events may occur during the hours of 10:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m., with all cleanup occurring no later than between 9:30 p.m.—10:00 p.m.

(2)

Industry-wide Events may occur during the hours of 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

5.

Wineries and tasting rooms shall not be rented out to third parties for events.

6.

On-Site Parking. The following on-site parking is required for wineries and tasting rooms:

a.

One (1) parking space per two and one-half (2.5) guests and one (1) space per employee. The parking standard may be reduced in accordance with Article 86, Parking Regulations, Section 26-86-010(i).

b.

Use of on-site unimproved overflow parking areas or shuttling may be allowed to accommodate winery events, if specified in the use permit.

c.

Overflow parking and shuttling shall not be used to accommodate parking for winery visitor serving activities.

d.

No parking is permitted along any public or private roadways or on shared vineyard roads.

7.

Food Service. Food service is allowed as specified below.

a.

All food service must be designed to promote and enhance marketing of wine. Food service shall be secondary and incidental to agricultural production, wine sales and education.

b.

Operating the food service area as a restaurant, café, delicatessen or any food service offering cooked-to-order food is prohibited.

c.

Food and wine pairings featuring local foods and food products is allowed in conjunction with winery visitor serving activities and winery events.

d.

Prepared meals featuring local foods and food products is allowed in conjunction with wine trade activities and winery events.

e.

Retail sales of pre-packaged food in conjunction with wine tasting is allowed subject to the following limitations:

(1)

Retail sale of pre-packaged food featuring local foods and food products is allowed during the regular business hours identified in the use permit.

(2)

Retail sale of pre-packaged food is allowed for on-site consumption only. Outdoor seating areas may be allowed for use as outdoor picnic areas.

(3)

Indoor seating area or table service in conjunction with retail sales of pre-packaged food is prohibited.

(4)

Off-site signs advertising retail sales of pre-packaged food are prohibited.

8.

Traffic Management. Traffic management and parking plans are required to address the maximum number of people visiting during winery visitor serving activities and winery events. For events exceeding one hundred (100) participants and for events that require use of overflow parking, the traffic management plan shall include the following:

a.

Provisions for event coordination to avoid local traffic delays.

b.

Parking attendants for each day of the event.

c.

A shuttle plan, if shuttling is requested, to support each day of the event. A convenient and secure "park and ride" area must be provided.

d.

A plan for on-site parking requirements and queuing of traffic.

e.

Enforcement of the on-street parking restrictions.

f.

Subsequent changes to the approved Traffic Management Plan shall be submitted in advance to the Permit and Resource Management Department.

9.

Noise Attenuation Setbacks. Noise is attenuated by distance from the noise source. To ensure compliance with the Sonoma County General Plan Noise Element thresholds for maximum allowable exterior noise exposure levels, winery visitor serving activities and winery events shall meet the required setbacks provided in Table 18-2 below:

Table 18-2:Required Noise Attenuation Setbacks

Exceptions to the setbacks listed in Table 18-2 above may be allowed when a project-specific noise study prepared in accordance with the Permit and Resource Management Department Guidelines for the Preparation of Noise Analysis determines the project will comply with the Sonoma County General Plan Noise Element due to intervening structures or natural features, available open land on noise sensitive parcels, or by incorporating noise mitigation measures.

(Ord. No. 6516, § III(Exh. A), 5-6-2025; Ord. No. 6404, § III(Exh. B), 3-14-2023)