SB 322: Urban equestrian inclusion zones.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the Urban Agriculture Incentive Zones Act, authorizes, under specified conditions, a city, county, or city and county to establish by ordinance an urban agriculture incentive zone for the purpose of entering into voluntary contracts with landowners to enforceably restrict the use of vacant, unimproved, or otherwise blighted lands for small-scale production of agricultural crops and animal husbandry. Existing law prohibits a city, county, or city and county from entering into a new contract or renewing an existing contract under these provisions after January 1, 2029.

This bill would authorize a city, county, or city and county, under specified conditions, to establish by ordinance an urban equestrian inclusion zone within its boundaries for the purpose of entering into enforceable contracts, as described, with landowners, on a voluntary basis, for restricting land use for equestrian activities, as defined. The bill would prohibit a city, county, or city and county from entering into a new contract or renewing an existing contract under these provisions after January 1, 2029.

Existing law, the Housing Crisis Act of 2019, prohibits certain counties and cities from enacting a development policy, standard, or condition that would have any of specified effects, including reducing the intensity of land use within an existing general plan land use designation, specific plan land use designation, or zoning district in effect at the time of the proposed change, below what was allowed under the land use designation or zoning ordinances of the county or city, as in effect on January 1, 2018, except as specified. Existing law defines “reducing the intensity of land use” for these purposes.

This bill would include entering into enforceable contracts with landowners for restricting land use for equestrian activities within the definition of “reducing the intensity of land use.”

The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 29, 2025August 29 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
2. August 20, 2025August 20 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.
3. July 3, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (July 2). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. June 24, 2025From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.
5. May 29, 2025Referred to Com. on L. GOV.
6. May 15, 2025In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
7. May 15, 2025Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 34. Noes 0. Page 1090.) Ordered to the Assembly.
8. May 13, 2025Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.
9. May 12, 2025From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to consent calendar.
10. May 6, 2025Set for hearing May 12.
11. May 5, 2025May 5 hearing postponed by committee.
12. April 25, 2025Set for hearing May 5.