Draft Winery Ordinance

On May 8, 2008, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the Draft Winery Ordinance to the Board of Supervisors, as well as adoption of the Negative Declaration. The Board of Supervisors will consider the draft Ordinance at an upcoming hearing.

The Winery Ordinance provides winery specific regulations and addresses associated uses like wine tasting and promotional events. The Winery Ordinance includes definitions, permit requirements, and standards related to access, water, waste disposal, tasting rooms and promotional events. As proposed, the Winery Ordinance would simplify the permit process allowing small wineries with a Zoning Clearance or by processing an Administrative Review Permit, depending on the zoning district, rather than a Minor Use Permit as currently required. As proposed, the Winery Ordinance would impact existing wineries with approved Minor Use Permits. As all existing wineries in Placer County fall under the definition of a "small winery," their existing Minor Use Permits (MUP) would be rendered moot because they would no longer be necessary. If such winery requires the processing of an Administrative Review Permit (ARP), the County would retain discretionary review authority and the MUP conditions would remain in place, unless an ARP was processed that revised such conditions of approval. If such winery requires a Zoning Clearance only, the MUP conditions would be null and void and the winery would be required to comply with the provisions of the Winery Ordinance and other County Codes. If such winery proposes a new type of use not originally approved, like adding wine tasting to the winery facility, either a building permit (for a new structure) or a change of occupancy permit (for an existing building not approved for public use) would be required. Such building/change of occupancy permit would be subject to Zoning Clearance for compliance with the Winery Ordinance and other County Codes, as well as review by the local serving fire district to ensure compliance with Fire Safe Standards.

Associated amendments to implement the Winery Ordinance are proposed to Placer County Code Chapter 17, Article 17.04 (Definitions), Section 17.06.050 (Land Use Permits and Permit Tables), Section 17.08.010 (Agricultural Exclusive), Section 17.10.010 (Farm), Section 17.12.010 (Forestry), Section 17.16.010 (Timberland Production), Section 17.20.010 (Commercial Planned Development), Section 17.22.010 (General Commercial), Section 17.24.010 (Heavy Commercial), Section 17.26.010 (Highway Services), Section 17.30.010 (Neighborhood Commercial), Section 17.34.010 (Resort), Section 17.38.010 (Business Park), 17.40.010 (Industrial), Section 17.42.010 (Industrial Park), Section 17.44.010 (Residential-Agricultural) and Section 17.46.010 (Residential-Forest).

In addition, changes are proposed to Section 17.54.070C "Surfacing of Parking Areas" to require all-weather surfacing, rather than paving, for agricultural and open space uses that require 25 or fewer parking spaces.

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	Draft Winery Ordinance On May 8, 2008, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the Draft Winery Ordinance to the Board of Supervisors, as well as adoption of the Negative Declaration. The Board of Supervisors will consider the draft Ordinance at an upcoming hearing. The Winery Ordinance provides winery specific regulations and addresses associated uses like wine tasting and promotional events. The Winery Ordinance includes definitions, permit requirements, and standards related to access, water, waste disposal, tasting rooms and promotional events. As proposed, the Winery Ordinance would simplify the permit process allowing small wineries with a Zoning Clearance or by processing an Administrative Review Permit, depending on the zoning district, rather than a Minor Use Permit as currently required. As proposed, the Winery Ordinance would impact existing wineries with approved Minor Use Permits. As all existing wineries in Placer County fall under the definition of a "small winery," their existing Minor Use Permits (MUP) would be rendered moot because they would no longer be necessary. If such winery requires the processing of an Administrative Review Permit (ARP), the County would retain discretionary review authority and the MUP conditions would remain in place, unless an ARP was processed that revised such conditions of approval. If such winery requires a Zoning Clearance only, the MUP conditions would be null and void and the winery would be required to comply with the provisions of the Winery Ordinance and other County Codes. If such winery proposes a new type of use not originally approved, like adding wine tasting to the winery facility, either a building permit (for a new structure) or a change of occupancy permit (for an existing building not approved for public use) would be required. Such building/change of occupancy permit would be subject to Zoning Clearance for compliance with the Winery Ordinance and other County Codes, as well as review by the local serving fire district to ensure compliance with Fire Safe Standards. Associated amendments to implement the Winery Ordinance are proposed to Placer County Code Chapter 17, Article 17.04 (Definitions), Section 17.06.050 (Land Use Permits and Permit Tables), Section 17.08.010 (Agricultural Exclusive), Section 17.10.010 (Farm), Section 17.12.010 (Forestry), Section 17.16.010 (Timberland Production), Section 17.20.010 (Commercial Planned Development), Section 17.22.010 (General Commercial), Section 17.24.010 (Heavy Commercial), Section 17.26.010 (Highway Services), Section 17.30.010 (Neighborhood Commercial), Section 17.34.010 (Resort), Section 17.38.010 (Business Park), 17.40.010 (Industrial), Section 17.42.010 (Industrial Park), Section 17.44.010 (Residential-Agricultural) and Section 17.46.010 (Residential-Forest). In addition, changes are proposed to Section 17.54.070C "Surfacing of Parking Areas" to require all-weather surfacing, rather than paving, for agricultural and open space uses that require 25 or fewer parking spaces.