Nevada County RA District Winery Regulations
In Nevada County’s RA district, wineries are allowed on parcels of at least 3 acres with a maximum facility size of 3,000 square feet. All parking must be on-site, and the facility must have direct access to a publicly maintained road or a formal road maintenance agreement. Exceeding the size limit or reducing the parcel size requirement requires a Use Permit.
The Residential Agricultural (RA) zoning district in Nevada County is designed to maintain rural character by balancing low-density single-family dwellings with agricultural operations. Wineries are recognized as a viable agricultural industry and are permitted within the RA district subject to specific development standards and size limitations [Source 1, § 12.03.240.A; Source 2, § 12.02.021.A.1].
Permitted Uses and Definitions
In the RA district, wineries and their associated retail or tasting facilities are allowed subject to zoning compliance and the issuance of a building permit [Source 1, § 12.03.240.C].
- Wineries: Defined as facilities used for fermenting and processing juice into wine. Authorized activities include fruit crushing, aging, bulk storage, bottling, shipping, and necessary support facilities like offices and laboratories [Source 1, § 12.03.240.B.1].
- Wine Tasting Rooms: Areas dedicated to the promotion and sale of wine produced on-site (or produced elsewhere using the grower's fruit under contract) and related merchandise [Source 1, § 12.03.240.B.2].
Core Development Standards
Winery operations in the RA district must adhere to the following limitations to ensure compatibility with the surrounding residential environment:
Facility Size and Parcel Requirements
- Maximum Size: Facilities are limited to a maximum of 3,000 square feet. A Use Permit is required to exceed this size [Source 1, § 12.03.240.C.1].
- Minimum Parcel Size: Wineries must be located on parcels of at least three (3) acres. This minimum may be waived only through the approval of a Use Permit [Source 1, § 12.03.240.C.2].
Access and Parking
- Road Access: The property must have direct access to a publicly maintained road. If direct access is unavailable, the owner must join or form a road maintenance district (such as a permanent road division or community service district). If a district is not feasible, a formal road maintenance agreement or participation in an existing Homeowners’ Association (HOA) road maintenance program is required [Source 1, § 12.03.240.C.4].
- On-Site Parking: All parking for the winery and tasting room must be provided entirely on-site; off-site or roadside parking is prohibited [Source 1, § 12.03.240.C.3].
Site Development Standards
Wineries must also comply with the general site standards for the RA district:
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Building Height Limit | 35 feet or 3 stories (whichever is less) [Source 2, Table 12.02.210.C] |
| Max. Impervious Surface | 30% (may be increased to 60% for support uses with a Use Permit) [Source 2, Table 12.02.210.C] |
| Front Yard Setback | 20 feet from Right-of-Way (ROW) (or 45 feet from ROW centerline if ROW is < 50') [Source 2, Table 12.02.210.C] |
| Interior/Rear Setback | 30 feet for parcels of 3 acres or more [Source 2, Table 12.02.210.C] |
Related Agricultural Activities
While wineries are specifically regulated under Section 12.03.240, they may engage in other agricultural activities common to the RA district:
- Agritourism: Marketing events, farm tours, and educational classes are allowed but are restricted to parcels of at least three to five acres depending on the General Plan Land Use Designation. Smaller parcels require a Use Permit for these activities [Source 5, § 12.03.030.C.3.a-b].
- Crop Farming: The growing of fruit and trees is an allowed use in the RA district [Source 5, § 12.03.030.C.1].