To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Permit Sonoma
Staff Name and Phone Number: Scott Orr, Crystal Acker, Marina Herrera (707) 565-1900
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide (excluding Coastal Zone)
Title:
Title
Right to Farm Ordinance (Second Reading)
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt an Ordinance amending Chapter 30, Article II of the Sonoma County Code to explicitly include cannabis uses in the County’s Right to Farm Ordinance.
end
Executive Summary:
On December 9, 2025, by Resolution No. 25-0538 the Board of Supervisors introduced an ordinance amending Chapter 30, Article II of the Sonoma County Code, to explicitly include cannabis uses in the County’s Right to Farm Ordinance. The Ordinance is now presented for final adoption.
Discussion:
On October 28, 2025, the Board of Supervisors held a public hearing, took straw votes and provided direction on the Comprehensive Cannabis Program Update. On December 9, 2025, the Board of Supervisors, by a 4-1 vote, certified the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and adopted the Cannabis Program Update consisting of a General Plan Amendment, amendments to the zoning code for permitting and use standards for cannabis uses, and the addition of a cannabis business license (-Sonoma County File No. 2025-1191 <https://sonoma-county.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7767969&GUID=0E3D2EC4-5EB4-42AC-855C-A2AC2DD10EAB&Options=&Search=>). As part of the Cannabis Program Update, the Board also adopted a resolution introducing, reading the title of, and waiving further reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 30, Article II of the Sonoma County Code, to explicitly include cannabis uses in the County’s Right to Farm Ordinance, as studied in the FEIR.
The General Plan Amendment, Resolution No. 25-0537, redefined cannabis as controlled agricultural. Due to the reclassification of cannabis as an agricultural use, providing cannabis the protections of the Right to Farm Ordinance ensures consistency with the Cannabis Program Update, General Plan Amendment and General Plan Policy AR-4d.
The Right to Farm Ordinance is designed to protect and promote agricultural operations by recognizing agriculture as a priority land use on parcels designated for agriculture by the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance and reducing conflicts with neighboring land uses by requiring notice to neighboring properties of the natural nuisance situations agriculture may cause. General Plan Policy AR-4d applies the provisions of the Right to Farm Ordinance to all lands designated within the agricultural land use categories: Diverse Agriculture (DA), Land Extensive Agriculture (LEA), and Land Intensive Agriculture (LIA). The Ordinance only pertains to local regulations and does not modify or abridge any federal or state law.
This ordinance would go into effect July 1, 2026, consistent with the remainder of the Cannabis Program Update.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
Yes
See Board of Supervisors Meeting Materials, October 28, 2025, for additional details.
Prior Board Actions:
December 9, 2025 - Board of Supervisors certified the Final Environmental Impact Report, approved the Comprehensive Cannabis Program Update, and adopted Resolution No. 25-0538 introducing, reading the title of and waiving further reading of the Right to Farm Ordinance (-Sonoma County File #2025-1191 <https://sonoma-county.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7767969&GUID=0E3D2EC4-5EB4-42AC-855C-A2AC2DD10EAB&Options=&Search=>)
October 28, 2025 - Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on the Comprehensive Cannabis Program Update and Final Environmental Impact Report and adopted Resolution No. 25-0512 introducing, reading the title of, and waiving further reading of the Cannabis Business License Ordinance. (-Sonoma County File # 2025-1117 <https://sonoma-county.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7711643&GUID=F8619CF8-92EA-4FCD-88E3-4D9745BC19B5&Options=&Search=)>)
Additional prior Board of Supervisors actions are included as Attachment 8 of the October 28, 2025, Board of Supervisors Meeting Materials.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
N/A
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
1. Ordinance - Amendments to the local Right to Farm Ordinance, Chapter 30 of the Sonoma County Code.
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A