Napa County Zoning Decisions: August 2026

In August 2026, Napa County held 4 public meetings covering zoning matters. 3 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 2 approved (67% approval rate), 1 denied. Activity was up 58% compared to July (103 activity items across 6 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Viewshed Protection Program & Road/Street Standards Exception at 80 Clear Creek Road

Denied.

Application P22-00182 by Ponderosa 1 LLC for a viewshed protection program for earth-moving, new construction, and expansion of structures on slopes exceeding 15% on a minor ridgeline. The project included a 3,830 sq ft underground storage structure, a 6,240 sq ft tennis pavilion with interior ADU, 2,700 sq ft underground spa, 4,350 sq ft underground wine and art storage, a ground-mounted solar array, removal of 10 native oaks, and a roads/street standards exception for five driveway segments (18-20% slope). Commissioners found the two-story tennis pavilion out of scale as an accessory use and the tree screening inadequate to protect the viewshed. Denied unanimously by voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Certificate of Extent Legal Nonconformity - Langtry Farms Trolley and Barn

Approved.

The Zoning Administrator issued a Certificate of Extent Legal Nonconformity for three parcels (~57.6 acres, zoned agricultural watershed) within a ~3,000-acre holding, recognizing the historic agricultural use of an existing trolley constructed prior to 1987 and an agricultural barn constructed prior to 1954, both predating the zoning and conservation regulations. The ZA also found the project not subject to CEQA based on findings 1 through 3 of Attachment A. Applicants of record: Napa Basin Reach, Inc. and Napa Switchback Bend, Inc. This was a single hearing officer decision, not a body vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Temporary Events Ordinance amendment (Chapter 5.36) - intent to adopt

Approved.

Board conducted a public hearing and voted intent to adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 5.36 (Temporary Events) of the Napa County Code and amending Sections 18.10.020 and related duties of the Zoning Administrator, plus a resolution approving the Temporary Events Manual. Changes include extending review timeline from 60 to 90 days, creating an event series category, eliminating automatic zoning administrator hearings (hearing only on public request), director discretion for late applications, and allowing indoor non-assembly spaces (barrel rooms) with a licensed design professional plan. Definition of temporary event unchanged. Effective date January 1, 2027; final adoption on September 15. Motion by Supervisor Cottrell, second by Supervisor Ramos.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 29 instances
• residential: 18 instances
• commercial: 12 instances
• land use: 11 instances
• adu: 8 instances

What to Watch

• Zoning mentions were up 81% from July.
• Residential is new this month with 18 mentions, not present in July.
• Commercial is new this month with 12 mentions, not present in July.
• Adu is new this month with 8 mentions, not present in July.

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