40.260.245 Wineries

A.    Purpose.

    The purpose of this section is to encourage wineries in the county while protecting the uses of neighboring parcels.

B.    Applicability.

1.    A winery as defined in Section 40.100.070 is allowed as an agricultural use, subject to the requirements of Section 40.260.245(E).

2.    A winery on land zoned for agriculture or forestry wishing to include events must have a minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the winery’s land area cultivated in crops used in wine production.

C.    Definitions.

    For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

Events	“Events” means activities such as weddings, receptions, concerts, meetings, retreats, and other similar gatherings of more than one hundred fifty (150) persons.
Tasting room	“Tasting room” means a facility or portion of a facility supporting a winery where the public may sample products produced by the winery and which has ancillary wine-related retail sales.

D.    Development Standards.

1.    All wineries with tasting rooms and/or events shall:

a.    Have a minimum twenty-four (24) foot wide approach to the property from a public road or approved private road. If the driveway access is connected to a paved public or private road, the driveway must be paved for a minimum distance of twenty (20) feet from the edge of the connecting road.

b.    Have off-street parking. Such parking shall comply with Section 40.340.010 with the exception of Section 40.340.010(A)(8). On-street parking is prohibited; and

c.    Comply with the requirements of Titles 14, 15 and 24.

2.    Building Size.

a.    Wineries without tasting rooms or events are exempt from building review, provided they are less than thirty-six hundred (3,600) square feet and are not occupied by non-family employees or the public.

b.    The cumulative building area for tasting rooms and events is limited as follows:

Parcel Size	Building Square Footage
Less than five acres	Less than 5,000 square feet
Five to 20 acres	Less than 9,000 square feet
More than 20 acres	Less than 12,000 square feet

3.    Private Roads.

    A winery with events and/or a tasting room on a private road shall adequately mitigate for any impacts to the road. Evidence of mitigation may be demonstrated through a neighbor’s agreement provided at the time of application. For purposes of the agreement, “neighbors” shall include a majority of all who are entitled to use the private road. Impacts to be addressed include, but are not limited to: dust, smoke, lighting, noise, trip generation and road maintenance.

4.    Events.

    Events are allowed at wineries, as follows:

a.    The winery obtains a winery tasting room/events permit.

b.    The number of events is limited to fifty (50) in a calendar year, with:

(1)    Forty-two (42) in a calendar year limited to a maximum of five hundred (500) persons; and

(2)    An additional eight (8) in a calendar year limited to a maximum of fifteen hundred (1,500) persons.

c.    The Sheriff’s Office will be notified by the winery tasting room/events permit holder at least ten (10) days in advance of any event that has more than five hundred (500) persons.

5.    Noise Limits.

    The provisions of Section 9.14.010(6) relating to public disturbance shall not apply to events except between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Other provisions of Chapter 9.14 apply.

6.    Food Service.

    In compliance with Public Health regulations, wineries will be allowed limited food services on site. This food service is not to include restaurants unless otherwise allowed in the zoning district, but may include the following:

a.    Service of prepackaged food;

b.    Tasting rooms with food; or

c.    Food service for events.

7.    Retail Sales.

    Retail sales directly related to the winery, such as sales of wine and wine-related merchandise, are permitted.

8.    Ancillary Retail Sales.

    Ancillary retail sales accessory to the primary use are permitted. These sales may include, but will not be limited to, items such as trademark items, items which promote the region or the wine industry, other regional value-added agricultural products, art, prepackaged foods, and cheese.

9.    Drinking Water and On-Site Septic.

    Adequate and safe drinking water and domestic wastewater disposal must be in compliance with Public Health regulations.

E.    Approval Process.

1.    Wineries without tasting rooms or events are exempt from land use review.

2.    A winery wishing to have events and/or a tasting room must obtain a winery tasting room/events permit. Applications for such permits shall include the following:

a.    A plot plan;

b.    An event management plan that addresses the issues in Section 5.32.040, if events are to be held at the winery; and

c.    Payment of the applicable fee.

    Applications may also include a neighbor’s agreement per Section 40.260.245(D)(3).

3.    A Type I process will be used to review applications for winery tasting room/events permits if:

a.    The winery takes access from a public road; or

b.    The winery takes access from a private road and a neighbor’s agreement pursuant to Section 40.260.245(D)(3) is submitted.

4.    A Type II process will be used to review applications for winery tasting room/events permits if the winery takes access from a private road and no neighbor’s agreement pursuant to Section 40.260.245(D)(3) is submitted.

(Added: Ord. 2010-10-02)