Nevada County RA Zoning District Allowed Uses
In the Nevada County RA (Residential Agricultural) district, single-family dwellings, ADUs, and crop farming are permitted by right. Wineries and agritourism generally require at least 3 acres. Animal keeping is allowed with limits: large animals require at least 0.5 acres (1 per 0.5 acre up to 3 acres), and household pets are limited to 3 total for parcels over 0.5 acres. Use Permits are required for multi-family dwellings and commercial stables.
The Residential Agricultural (RA) District in Nevada County is designed to support low-density single-family dwellings and other dwelling types that maintain the area's rural character. It typically requires a minimum parcel size of 1.5 acres where public water and sewer are available, or 3 acres where they are not. In this district, single-family dwellings are of primary importance, while agricultural uses are secondary in Residential/Estate designations or of equal importance in Rural designations [§ 12.02.021.A.1].
Allowable Land Use Table
The following table outlines the permit requirements for land uses within the RA district.
Permit Requirement Key:
- A: Allowed (Zoning compliance and building permit)
- DP: Development Permit required
- UP: Use Permit required
- NP: Not Permitted
- Varies: See specific zoning sections
| Land Use Category | Land Use Type | Permit Requirement | Zoning Section Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | Single-Family Dwelling | A | |
| Accessory and/or Junior Accessory Unit (ADU/JADU) | A | § 12.03.191 | |
| Second Units (consistent with density) | DP | § 12.03.192 | |
| Duplexes, Duets, and Four-plexes | A (1)(2) | ||
| Multiple-Family Dwellings | UP | § 12.03.170 | |
| Residential Care Facilities (6 or fewer) | A | ||
| Residential Care Facilities (more than 6) | UP | ||
| Daycare Home (Small Family: 6 or fewer) | A | § 12.03.090 | |
| Daycare Home (Large Family: 7–14) | A | § 12.03.090 | |
| Daycare Center (more than 14) | UP | ||
| Employee Housing | A | § 12.03.100 | |
| Transitional and Supportive Housing | A | § 12.03.200 | |
| Guest Quarters | A | § 12.03.180 | |
| Mobile Home Parks (must include MH District) | UP | § 12.02.074 | |
| Temporary use of Mobilehome/RV during construction | A | § 12.03.150 | |
| Commercial | Home Businesses | A | § 12.03.110 |
| Bed & Breakfast Inns | UP | § 12.03.050 | |
| Community meeting and social event facilities | UP | § 12.03.070 | |
| Medical clinics (non-profit) | UP | ||
| Cemetery | UP | ||
| Cannabis Cultivation or Dispensary | NP | ||
| Agricultural | Agricultural structures (storage, stables, etc.) | A | § 12.03.030 |
| Crop and Tree Farming | A | § 12.03.030 | |
| Wineries | A | § 12.03.240 | |
| Animal Keeping and Raising | Varies | § 12.03.040 | |
| Agritourism, Field Retail/Farm Stands | Varies | § 12.03.030 | |
| Certified Farmers' Markets | DP | § 12.03.030 | |
| Wildlife Rehabilitation Facilities | DP | § 12.03.260 | |
| Woodyard | UP | ||
| Industrial | Mining (Subsurface) | UP | § 12.03.210 |
| Mining (Surface vent/escape shafts) | UP | § 12.03.220 | |
| Power plants (Private bio-mass, hydro, etc.) | UP | ||
| Public | Schools | UP | |
| Churches | UP | § 12.03.070 | |
| Emergency Services | UP | ||
| Communication Towers | UP | § 12.03.080 |
(1) Allowed in Community Regions or urbanized areas designated by the Census Bureau, subject to density and utility requirements. (2) Ministerially considered for up to two units in urbanized areas per Gov't Code § 65852.21 [Table 12.02.210.B].
Specific Land Use Standards
Animal Keeping and Raising
In the RA district, the keeping of animals is regulated by parcel size and type:
- Large Animals: Not allowed on parcels less than 0.5 acres. On parcels 0.5 to 3 acres, the limit is one mature large animal per 0.5 acre. There is no limit on parcels larger than 3 acres [§ 12.03.040.C].
- Backyard Chickens: Allowed on parcels less than 0.5 acres (up to 4 chickens for 6,000 sq. ft.; 8 for 10,000 sq. ft.; and 14 for 20,000 sq. ft.). Roosters are prohibited [§ 12.03.041].
- Dogs and Cats: Maximum of three (3) in any combination for animals over 6 months of age. On parcels of 0.5 acres or less, the maximum is six (6) total, but no more than three (3) may be dogs [§ 12.03.040.C].
- Bees: Apiaries are allowed with a maximum of 20 colonies per acre. They must be at least 100 feet from property boundaries without neighbor consent [§ 12.03.040.C].
Wineries
Wineries are allowed in the RA district but are limited to a maximum facility size of 3,000 square feet and must be located on parcels of at least 3 acres. These limits can be exceeded or waived only with an approved Use Permit. The winery must have direct access to a publicly-maintained road or a formal road maintenance agreement [§ 12.03.240].
Agritourism and Farm Stands
Agritourism activities in the RA district require a minimum parcel size:
- 3 Acres if the property is within the Rural (RUR) General Plan Land Use Designation.
- 5 Acres if not within the RUR designation. Field retail stands and farm stands are limited to 1,000 square feet per site and are restricted to daylight hours of operation [§ 12.03.030.C.3].
Guest Quarters
Residential guest quarters are permitted as an accessory use for non-paying guests. They are limited to a maximum of 500 square feet and cannot contain a kitchen. Plumbing is restricted to one bathroom and one wet bar. All utilities must be shared with the primary residence [§ 12.03.180].