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Tiered Winery Ordinance

A vineyard with a cluster of grapes in focus

Overview

The County of San Diego (County) supports a strong and growing winery industry that helps local farms and small businesses. To support this growth while also protecting communities, the County adopted a Tiered Winery Ordinance. This ordinance allows wineries to operate and expand in a responsible way, while protecting public health, safety, and the character of local neighborhoods.

The Tiered Winery Ordinance is part of the County Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Ordinance sets the rules for how land can be used and developed in the County’s unincorporated areas.

Read the Tiered Winery Ordinance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where We Are Now

In response to direction from the County Board of Supervisors (Board) in 2024, the County is creating clear rules to allow Wholesale Limited, Small, and Boutique wineries to expand into Rural Residential (RR) zones through the Tiered Winery - Rural Residential Expansion project.

The largest type of winery, called Wineries, is already allowed in RR zones with approval of a Major Use Permit (MUP).

As part of this effort, County staff will also carry out the Board’s direction from February 11, 2026. Read the Board Minute Order (Action 4).

Visit the project's Engage Page!

How We Got Here

In 2006, the Ramona Valley wine region of San Diego County was officially designated as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) by the federal government. At the time of designation, Ramona was already home to twenty (20) vineyards and became the third AVA established in Southern California. Other AVA-designated areas in the county include the San Pasqual Valley, recognized in 1981, and San Luis Rey, which received AVA status in late 2023.

Recognizing the importance of this industry, the Board identified a need to further support the agricultural community and small businesses that sustain the region’s winemakers and grape growers.

Board Direction History

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2026
Following the Board’s 2024 direction, amendments to the Winery Zoning Ordinance were developed as part of the Process Improvements and Zoning Ordinance (PIZO) project. Through this effort, the Board adopted amendments to allow amplified live music at Boutique wineries under set parameters. In addition to adopting the amendments, the Board also provided related direction to staff on subsequent project efforts to continue improving processes and supporting the region’s winery industry. That additional effort was rolled into the Tiered Winery – Rural Residential Expansion project.

Related Documents:

February 11, 2026 Board Hearing
- Read the Board Minute Order
- Watch the Video
- Read the Board Hearing Attachments:
2024
A 2024 Tiered Winery Feasibility Analysis was finalized, examining the potential to expand winery operations into additional zones within the unincorporated county. Following completion of the study, the Board directed staff to implement Option 1 from the analysis, which is to explore expanding winery operations into Rural Residential (RR) zones and to evaluate permitting live amplified music at Boutique Wineries.

Related Documents:

February 28, 2024 Board Hearing
- Read the Board Minute Order
- Watch the Video
2021
The Board directed staff to investigate the feasibility of expanding the Tiered Winery Ordinance into additional zoning categories and to identify metrics for Zoning Ordinance Use Regulations, as well as identify what metrics will be used to ensure progress with diversity and inclusion, with options to implement.

Related Documents:

July 14, 2021 Board Hearing
- Read the Board Minute Order
- Watch the Video
2016
The Board adopted amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to update standards for Wholesale Limited, Boutique, and Small Wineries, providing more flexibility while prioritizing local grapes.

Related Documents:

April 27, 2016 Board Hearing
- Read the Board Minute Order
- Watch the Video
- Read the Board Hearing Attachments:
  - Attachment A: Planning Commission (PC) Hearing Report
  - Attachment B-1: Draft Winery Ordinance Strikeout PC Recommended
  - Attachment C-1: Draft Winery Ordinance Clean PC Recommended
  - Attachment C-2: Draft Winery Ordinance Clean Staff Recommended
  - Attachment D: Environmental Documentation
2010
The Board adopted the Tiered Winery Ordinance, introducing a tiered regulatory system for wineries, including Boutique, Small, and Wholesale Limited tiers.

This action consisted of amendments to both the County of San Diego General Plan (GPA 10-003) and the County Zoning Ordinance to comprehensively regulate wineries within the A70 and A72 zones for various sized wineries, including certain winery uses by-right.

The update established a new winery classification, “Packing and Processing: Small Winery,” permitted subject to specified limitations and approval of an Administrative Permit. It also revised existing regulations to:
- Increase the by-right wine production threshold for “Packing and Processing: Wholesale Limited Winery,” and
- Allow the “Packing and Processing: Boutique Winery” use type by-right, subject to defined standards and limitations.
Related Documents:

August 04, 2010 Board Hearing
- Read the Board Minute Order
- Watch the Video
2008
The Board adopted a Zoning Ordinance amendment introducing a new winery classification, Boutique Winery, and directed PDS to develop a Tiered Winery Ordinance and prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

This action consisted of adoption of an Ordinance that would require approval of an Administrative Permit for each proposed Boutique Winery due to potentially significant environmental impacts that could occur from the by-right establishment and operation of Boutique Wineries.

Related Documents:

June 18, 2008 Board Hearing
- Read the Board Letter
- Watch the Video
- Attachment 1: Resolution of Approval
  - Attachment A-1: Form of Ordinance, page 49 (page 27 of the pdf)
  - Attachment A-1: Form of Ordinance Strikeout/Underline, page 59 (page 37 of the pdf)
  - Attachment A-3: Environmental Documentation, page 70 (page 48 of the pdf)
  - Attachment A-4: Planning Commission Minutes, page101 (page 79 of the pdf)
  - Attachment A-5: April 30, 2010 Planning Commission Recommendations, page 111 (page 89 of the pdf)
  - Attachment A-6: Public Comments and Responses, page 114 (page 92 of the pdf)

Ordinance Updates History

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2026 - Amended Zoning Ordinance
February 11, 2026
- Read the Board Letter
- Read the Amended Zoning Ordinance .
- Read the CEQA Addendum/15162 Findings (January 20, 2026).
- This amendment established criteria for allowing amplified live music at Boutique Wineries, clarified how occupancy is determined, and added clarifying language regarding permitted activities at Boutique Wineries.
- This amendment also clarified Zoning Ordinance Section 6910.b.6, specifying that permitted winery activities may be open to the public or limited to wine club members or ticketed participants, and that wineries may close to the general public to control entry. In addition, it allows applicants to request a reduction of the 200-foot minimum buffer through a Zoning Verification Permit, provided they submit evidence demonstrating compliance with applicable noise standards.
2016 - Amended Zoning Ordinance
April 27, 2016
- Read the Amended Ordinance
- Read the CEQA Addendum/15162 Findings (February 11, 2016).
- This amendment was made to clarify the intent and resolve discrepancies that affected the adequate implementation of the Ordinance.
- The clarifications included permitting of wine production facility structures and uses within the structures, importation of wine from outside sources, tasting/retail sales area size and definition, defining events and adding an allowance for fruit grown on a non-contiguous property to be considered in the percentage of fruit grown “on the premises” when it is owned or leased by the winery owner.
- The Board adopted the Planning Commission's recommendation to adopt their Ordinance version (Attachment C-1), which also includes an allowance for a Boutique Winery to import a limited amount of fruit, juice and wine from outside the county.
2010 - Tiered Winery Zoning Ordinance
August 4, 2010
- Read the Final Tiered Winery Ordinance
- Read Part 1 EIR, The Response To Comments
- Read Part 2 EIR, The Final EIR
- Read Part 3 EIR, The Appendices

Past Analysis

A Tiered Winery Feasibility Analysis was finalized in 2024 at the direction of the Board of Supervisors (Board) in 2021 to evaluate the feasibility of expanding the Tiered Winery Ordinance into additional zones and to identify appropriate regulatory metrics.

The Analysis evaluated data and conducted research on winery operations to inform the development of options for potential expansion within the unincorporated county. It outlines its approach and methodology; provides an overview of the current County Zoning Ordinance and permitting process; best management practices analysis; summarizes the wine industry; presents economic and fiscal analyses; describes stakeholder outreach efforts; and includes an options analysis with potential implementation strategies.

Of the three options identified, the Board selected Option 1:

Expansion into Rural Residential (RR) Zones. This option expands eligibility for Wholesale Limited, Boutique, and Small Wineries within RR zones through an Administrative Permit process. The largest tier, Winery, is already permitted to operate in RR zones with approval of a Major Use Permit (MUP).

Read the 2024 Tiered Winery Expansion Feasibility Analysis