PJR-130 Agricultural Farmstay

05/21/2019

The purpose of this document is to summarize the regulations of the Sonoma County Zoning Ordinance, Sonoma County Code Section 26-88-085, and permitting requirements for agricultural farmstays.

Background

Agricultural farmstays are a transient lodging accommodation containing five or fewer guestrooms in a single family dwelling or guest house, provided as part of the farming operation, with an on-site farmer in residence and that includes all meals provided in the price of the lodging.  Agricultural farmstays must directly relate and support the farming operation on site. The farmer must be in residence on the property. An Agricultural Promotion Plan shall be prepared and submitted that demonstrates the primary use of land is agriculture and that the use promotes and educates guests about local agriculture. This use is subject to Transient Occupancy Taxes.

Definition of Agriculture, Sonoma County General Plan: The production of food, fiber, plant materials, and the raising and maintaining of horses, donkeys, mules, and similar livestock and farm animals.

Agricultural farmstays may be conducted subject to issuance of a zoning permit in: LIA, DA, LEA, and RRD zones. Agricultural farmstays may also be conducted subject to issuance of a use permit in coastal districts: LIA CC, LEA CC, DA CC, RRD CC, and AR CC.

Procedure

The applicant submits a complete Agricultural Farmstay (Zoning Permit or Use Permit if Coastal) Application to the Planning Division at the Permit Sonoma zoning cubicle. Permits Sonoma will assign a project planner to review the application and verify it is complete for processing. The Planner verifies that the proposed Agricultural farmstay will comply with all Performance Standards and requirements (see Sonoma County Code Section 26-88-085) below. Once compliance is verified, a zoning permit approval letter will be issued to the applicant. The Agricultural farmstay property will need to be registered with the Sonoma County Treasurer-Tax Collector for payment of Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT).

Application Submittal Materials

1. Planning Application (PJR-001) signed by all property owners.
2. Indemnification Agreement (PJR-011) signed by all property owners.
3. Agricultural Farmstay Project Description/Proposal Statement. This should include detail about how the farmstay will be operated in accordance to standards.  This should include the number of bedrooms, commercial agricultural use, and any other activities occurring on the property.
4. Agricultural Promotion Plan. Provide an Agricultural Promotion Plan that demonstrates the primary use of the land is agriculture and that the use promotes and educates guests about local agriculture. The Plan should include the following:
   1. How does your application demonstrate that the primary use of the property is agriculture?
   2. What type(s) of commercial agriculture is occurring on the property (include farming business plan)?
   3. Describe how your farmstay markets the onsite agriculture or other types in the local areas.
   4. How do you educate guests on local agriculture and your farm?
   5. How will your guests be included in the farming or experience the farm while staying on the property?
   6. How do you plan on marketing your farmstay?
5. Proof of Owner/farmer in Residence. Provide homeowner’s exemption from property tax or lease agreement if tenant farmer in residence.
6. Completed Transient Occupancy Tax form.
7. 8.5 inches x 11 inches or larger Site Plan drawn to scale.
8. 8.5 inches x 11 inches or larger Floor Plan drawn to scale, of the proposed agricultural farmstay.
9. Filing fee – See current Project Review Fee Schedule.