Napa County Zoning Decisions: June 2026

In June 2026, Napa County held 7 public meetings covering zoning matters. 5 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 3 approved (100% approval rate), 2 deferred. Activity was up 47% compared to May (123 activity items across 5 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Howell Mountain Cemetery Use Permit at 1225 Howell Mountain Road

Deferred.

Eternal Preserves Holdings, LLC (parent company Wildlands) sought a use permit (P20-00030) plus an exception to conservation regulations (P25-00293) and an exception to road and street standards to establish a green-burial cemetery on three parcels totaling 109.3 acres, with 16.19 acres of interment area, 1.5 miles of trails, a welcome center, and 0.69 acres of limited grading on slopes of 30%-50%. Project spans APNs 18-1-2027, 18-1-2043, 18-1-2044 in Angwin. Commission continued the item to a date uncertain; project to be re-noticed. Heavy public opposition raised concerns about groundwater/spring contamination, traffic on Howell Mountain Road (no left-turn lane), wildfire evacuation, and burial density (up to ~1,000 bodies/acre). Multiple speakers and an attorney (Tom Carey) urged a full EIR rather than the mitigated negative declaration.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

AXR Napa Valley Winery Use Permit Major Modification

Approved.

Use permit major modification for the historic AXR (August Hirsch) ghost winery on a 7.8-acre parcel about a mile north of St. Helena with access from Highway 29. Approved a new 17,000 sq ft wine cave, conversion of barrel storage building to hospitality/tasting space, conversion of attached dwelling to winery office, upgraded water/wastewater systems, a new cave access road, and a new Highway 29 left-turn lane, maintaining 20,000 gallon/year production. Includes a variance (P26-0045) for wastewater within the road setback and administrative viewshed shed permit (P26-00044). Visitation capped at 60 daily visitors, 17 weekend employees, 24 small events (25 guests), 7 medium/large events (75-150). Subsequent mitigated negative declaration adopted. Unanimous voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Nickel & Nickel Winery Arts for All Gala Temporary Event

Approved.

The Zoning Administrator approved Category 4 temporary event Application P26-00148 for the Arts for All Gala at Nickel & Nickel Winery, 1864 St. Helena Highway, Oakville, hosted by Napa Association, Napa Valley, on July 12, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. with approximately 420 attendees. Found ministerially exempt from CEQA. Decided by hearing officer; no vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Raymond Vineyards Winery Napa Knockout Temporary Event continuance

Deferred.

Staff recommended and the Zoning Administrator continued temporary event Application P26-00139 (Raymond Vineyards Winery Napa Knockout Combat Sports Legacy and Honor Gala) to a special zoning administrative meeting on July 15, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. to allow the applicant to work with staff on outstanding comments. Decided by hearing officer; no vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Code amendments re: urban lot splits and two-unit developments (Titles 17 and 18)

Approved.

Staff-requested advisory recommendation to the Board of Supervisors to approve a draft ordinance amending Napa County Code Title 17 (urban lot splits) and Chapter 18-104-440 (two-unit developments) to comply with Senate Bill 450 (2024) and Assembly Bill 1061, updating SB 9 regulations adopted under the 2024 housing omnibus ordinance (No. 1495). Changes revise approval timeframes (60-day shot clock), narrow denial authority, narrow historic-district exemptions, and remove physical environment as a basis for denial. Commission voted to recommend approval.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 18 instances
• residential: 12 instances
• historic preservation: 9 instances
• commercial: 7 instances
• variance: 6 instances

What to Watch

• Zoning mentions were up 260% from May.
• Historic preservation is new this month with 9 mentions, not present in May.
• Variance is new this month with 6 mentions, not present in May.

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