Bill > SB322

This bill establishes urban equestrian inclusion zones that allow cities, counties, or city and county governments to create ordinances enabling landowners to voluntarily enter into contracts restricting their land use for equestrian activities. Under these contracts, landowners can dedicate between 0.1 and 3 acres of land specifically to equestrian uses, which must include activities involving horses. The zones can only include parcels that have continuously contained equestrian activities since January 1, 2020, and must be within an existing equine or equestrian district designated by a local general or specific plan. Contracts must have an initial term of at least five years and cannot include dwellings, except for a livestock caretaker's dwelling. Structures supporting equestrian activities like stables, barns, riding areas, and tack rooms are permitted. The bill prohibits entering into new contracts or renewing existing ones after January 1, 2029, but existing contracts will remain valid. Importantly, the bill defines entering into these land-use restriction contracts as reducing the intensity of land use, which requires compliance with existing housing development regulations. The legislation aims to preserve California's rich equestrian heritage while balancing housing development needs, and it applies to all cities, including charter cities, as a matter of statewide concern.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB322