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Planning and Building Department, Planning Division, recommending the Agricultural Commission receive and file an update on agricultural lodging and other agritourism opportunities, and provide feedback to staff.
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During this item, staff will provide an informational update on its agricultural lodging and other agritourism efforts to date and summarize initial results of its public survey. This item is informational only; no action will be taken.
Prior Engagement:
On September 24, 2024 (Legistar file 24-1534) the Agricultural Commissioner and Planning and Building Department were directed to work with the agricultural community on an agricultural lodging model.
On August 26, 2025 (Legistar file 25-1433) the Chief Administrative Office, in coordination with the Budget Ad Hoc Committee, provided the Board of Supervisors (Board) information regarding revenue generating options. Agricultural Homestays/Ag Lodging was one of the potential options. An increase in lodging options on agricultural properties could increase Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenues.
On April 8, 2026, staff presented to the Agricultural Commission an agricultural lodging update (File No. 26-0569), which provided options that would assist in supplemental revenue generation for agricultural landowners.
On April 28, 2026 (File No. 26-0731), staff summarized what has been heard from key stakeholders, provided examples of what is currently being done by other California local jurisdictions, and outlined three options for the Board to consider and provide direction on.
The Board directed staff to return to the Board within 120 days with a summary of outreach efforts to include not only potential beneficiaries but also non-beneficiaries and members of the public who may be negatively affected and a data and financial analysis to include maps of potentially impacted parcels or zones, the County’s projected implementation and maintenance costs, anticipated revenue to the County, and revenue impacts for Agricultural Lodging.
Public Survey
On June 10, 2026, staff released an online survey, which was designed to hear the community’s thoughts on whether certain temporary supplemental income activities - like short-term lodging, low-impact camping, or special events - should be allowed on agricultural land.
The survey is available on Survey Monkey: <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QFM98FQ> and in Exhibit A. The last day to submit survey responses is Friday, July 10, 2026.
Staff would like to provide an overview of the survey questions and answers, summarize initial survey results, and receive feedback from the Agricultural Commission prior to the returning to the Board, as directed, on August 25, 2026.