FAQs

Right now, the County’s Tiered Winery Ordinance allows four types of winery operations in agricultural zones. In Rural Residential (RR) zones, only the largest type called “Wineries” is allowed, and they must get a Major Use Permit to operate.

Many winery owners have asked for more flexibility to run wineries in other areas. On July 14, 2021, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to look into whether it would be possible to expand winery regulations and classifications into more zones.

The Tiered Winery Expansion Feasibility Analysis reviewed the local and regional wine industry, market potential, environmental and zoning factors, and mapped areas that might be suitable for new wineries. It also suggested ways to create more opportunities for both new and existing wineries in unincorporated communities.

On February 28, 2024, the Board reviewed this analysis and directed staff to move forward with expanding winery allowances into RR zones.

Currently, smaller tiered wineries can only operate in agricultural zones (A-70 Limited Agriculture; A-72 General Agriculture; S-92 General Rural; RR - Rural Residential; RRO – Recreation Oriented Residential; RC – Residential Commercial; S-88 Specific Plan Area).

In Rural Residential (RR) areas, only very large wineries can operate, and they must get a Major Use Permit. 

Many small winery owners have asked for more flexibility to open or grow in other areas. The Board of Supervisors asked County staff to see if wineries could safely and fairly be allowed in Rural Residential zones under new, clear rules.

The County is looking at expanding winery allowances into Rural Residential Zones, and examining operating standards that address compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods.

The following changes are being considered for Board adoption:

• Expansion into Rural Residential (RR) Zones: The proposed changes would expand winery opportunities in RR zones by allowing Wholesale Limited Wineries by-right; Boutique Wineries by-right, subject to minimum parcel size and location requirements; and allowing Small Wineries through an Administrative Permit.
• Boutique Winery - Tasting & Retail Sales Area: The proposed amendments would give Boutique Wineries greater flexibility for tasting and retail areas by:
  1. Changing the connection of the 30% production space to allowable tasting and retail sales area to now expanding the 30% to the whole production facility (acreage);
  2. Allowing up to an additional 100 square feet beyond the cumulative maximum of tasting and retail sales area based on additional parking requirements;
  3. Plus allowing up to 20 additional persons in informal/dispersed outdoor seating areas.
• Boutique Winery - Amplified Music and Noise Compliance: The proposed amendments would revise outdoor amplified music standards for Boutique Wineries by reducing sound level setbacks and providing an alternative compliance method consistent with the existing County Noise Ordinance.
  • By-Right in Rural Residential: The draft amendments propose Boutique wineries operating by-right in Rural Residential zones would be required to obtain a Zoning Verification Permit (ZVP) prior to allowing amplified music.
• Fruit Source Requirements and Flexibility: The proposed ordinance amendments would create a temporary waiver process allowing the County to adjust on-site fruit requirements when natural disasters or other events make compliance infeasible.
  • It would also allow newly planted Boutique Wineries to use source fruit from off-site locations for up to three years, provided at least 75% is sourced within the County;
  • The draft also provides that custom-crush operations (grapes processed off-site) are permitted so long as production occurs within San Diego County and the appropriate licensing is in place.
• Wholesale Limited Winery Direct-to-Consumer Sales Clarification: Ordinance changes are proposed that would allow Wholesale Limited Wineries to offer on‑site pick‑up of pre‑purchased wine by appointment, limited to two (2) scheduled pick‑up times per week, with all other on‑site activities remaining prohibited.
• Structure Conversion and Facility Modification Standards: Ordinance changes clarify that existing barns and agricultural accessory structures may be used for winery operations provided the structures are upgraded to comply with applicable California Building Code standards and all applicable winery regulations are complied with. The draft ordinance also provides clarity that winery structures or converted-to winery structures must meet state building code requirements at the time of conversion or until there is a use change or major modification to the building.
• Boutique Winery – Large Capacity Vehicles: The proposed ordinance revisions would revise the prohibition to allow vehicles with a capacity in excess of 15 people only when the winery is closed to the public for private activities in order to ensure total occupancy is not exceeded. Weddings and events remain prohibited.

The goal is to develop criteria that are clear, fair, and address the balance between economic stability for wineries and community needs.

The County analyzed potential environmental impacts through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. An Environmental Review Update Checklist was completed for the proposed amendments, and the Addendum demonstrates that no new significant environmental impacts would occur, that the severity of previously identified impacts would not increase, and that no new information of substantial importance has become available since certification of the prior Environmental Impact Reports.

In 2021, the Board of Supervisors asked staff to explore whether winery operations could expand into new areas. A Feasibility Analysis was completed in 2024 to evaluate the expansion of winery allowances into additional zones, prompting Board direction to pursue RR expansion. Following Board direction, the project team has conducted comprehensive research and outreach. Efforts from the project team have included:

• Public outreach: Conducted outreach meetings with residents, community groups, winery operators, agricultural organizations, and agencies. Outreach included a 30-day public review period from July 7 to August 6, 2026.
• Ordinance revisions: Refined the proposed amendments based on technical findings and public feedback, including RR eligibility, tasting areas, music, fruit sourcing, and operational flexibility.
• Technical and environmental analysis: Completed noise setback analyses and an environmental review in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
• Hearing preparation: Prepared the proposed ordinance and supporting materials for Planning Commission consideration and a recommendation to the Board.

A Rural Residential (RR) zone in San Diego County is an area meant for homes on larger pieces of land where people can enjoy more space and a country-like setting. These areas often allow for activities like small farms, gardens, or keeping horses. Homes in RR zones are usually farther apart. The exact rules, like how big the lots must be or what kinds of activities are allowed, depend on the specific RR zone and the community’s overall land use plan.

Zoning Ordinance Website

Zoning Ordinance Summary

Final Tiered Winery Ordinance

The unincorporated area is the part of San Diego County that is not inside any city limits. The County of San Diego is the local government for these communities and are managed directly by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (BOS).

See map and list of communities here

The County engaged with the following through various public outreach meetings:

• Rural San Diego County residents and the general public
• Community Planning and Sponsor Groups (CPSG)
• Winery and vineyard owners and operators,
• Wine and agricultural organizations and representatives
• County departments
•  California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (regulatory state agency)
• County staff from various departments

 In summary, winery and agricultural participants sought clearer regulations and greater flexibility for tasting areas, music, fruit sourcing, and existing structures. While residents raised concerns about noise, traffic, parking, groundwater, pesticides, visual impacts, cumulative impacts, and preserving rural character. Participants emphasized clear standards that are compatible with existing County regulations and that define how the ordinance revisions will be enforced.

The proposed changes would allow Wholesale Limited, Boutique, and Small Wineries in RR zones, creating opportunities to establish small agricultural businesses in the rural residential environment. Wholesale Limited and Boutique Wineries could operate by-right when specified standards are met, while Small Wineries would require an Administrative Permit. Proposed safeguards to protect rural neighborhood character include a three-acre minimum and location based criteria for by-right Boutique Wineries, parking requirements, along with operating limits and additional review for outdoor amplified music.

Winery operations would remain subject to the County Noise Ordinance’s property-line noise limits, restricted hours, occupancy limits, setback and performance standards for amplified music, and complaint‑based enforcement through the Sheriff and County Code Compliance. Boutique Wineries in RR zones would also need a Zoning Verification Permit with a site-specific noise analysis before hosting outdoor amplified music. Operators would be required to adjust operations as needed to comply, potentially through speaker placement, sound reduction measures, and on-site monitoring (Section 6308. Noise Level Measurement). Occupancy limits and the continued prohibition of weddings and events at Boutique Wineries would further limit the intensity of visitor activity.