Tiered Winery Ordinance
The Boutique Winery project originated in August 2010 when the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved the Tiered Winery Ordinance, which established a tiered regulatory system for wineries, including a specific “Boutique Winery” tier. This tier allowed smaller wineries to operate tasting rooms alongside agricultural vineyard operations. In 2016 the Board of Supervisors adopted the zoning ordinance amendment to prescribe reasonable standards and procedures for the operations of wineries and to allow more flexibility in sourcing their wine, while still continuing to prioritize the use of locally grown grapes. Through the years, the winery regulations have been shaped through ongoing public input, with multiple drafts and revisions based on feedback from stakeholders.
More recently, in February 2024, the Board directed county staff to explore the possibility of permitting live amplified music at boutique wineries under reasonable limits. This directive is part of ongoing efforts to refine and expand the original ordinance. Outreach for this project is ongoing as County staff engage community and stakeholders to gather input on how best to approach amplified music regulations. These standards and criteria will include proper set up to mitigate noise diffusion, appropriate hours of operation, types of amplification, and the potential to allow up to six community events per year under appropriate conditions. With continued input, our aim is to mitigate any potential impacts to the residents’ quality of life while supporting the development of the local wine industry.
This timeline below highlights key milestones in the development of regulations for boutique wineries from the initial adoption of the Tiered Winery Ordinance to ongoing updates around music allowances and expanded operations. This infographic showcases the evolution of the project through public feedback, proposals, and policy changes.
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