Are Napa and Sonoma County Ordinances A Precursor?
In what could likely be a precursor to local ordinances throughout California’s premium wine grape growing regions, Napa and Sonoma County have suffered through lawsuits and public debates in an attempt to regulate vineyard development. Napa County was the first local government to regulate vineyard development through its passage of its Hillside Ordinance in 1991 and adoption of accompanying Conservation Regulations. The new ordinance was partly the result of public concern regarding highly visible vineyard development on steep terrain. Napa County’s Hillside Ordinance focuses on the impacts of erosion caused by hillside grading and its impact on water quality. As part of the Hillside Ordinance, no clearing of land for new agricultural uses can take place within specific setbacks from streams. (Napa County Conservation Regulations ยง 18.108.25). In addition, the County requires that proposed development for sites with ground slopes of 5% or greater are permitted only after County appro
