Ag Preserve Timeline
An illustrated chronology of events which shaped the wonderful level of land protection we enjoy today.

1968
Suit filed by Napa Valley United Farmers seeking an injunction to prevent Ordinance #274 from becoming effective.
1971
Superior Court upholds validity of Ordinance #274.


1973
Established minimum 40 acre limit in Ag Watershed areas.
1977
Ordinance #541 adopted expanding the Ag Preserve in north Napa area by approximately 1,300 acres.


1979
Board of Supervisors adopts Ordinance #610 increasing minimum parcel size in Ag Preserve Zone from 20 to 40 acres.
1980
Measure A, an initiative limiting the population growth in the unincorporated county areas to 1% per year passes.


1990
Measure J, an initiative that prohibits conversion of agricultural lands to non-agricultural uses without a vote of the people unless conversion meets with certain specified criteria passes; lawsuit immediately filed challenging validity of Measure J.
1994
County established 160-acre minimums in Ag Watershed & Open Space areas.


1995
California Supreme Court upholds validity of Measure J.
1999
Groundwater Ordinance passes, establishing protection & priority of groundwater for agriculture and requiring groundwater permits for new non-ag wells.


2008
Measure “P” passed by voters. It extends Measure “J” until 2058 and strengthens Measure “J” by including a policy that the minimum lot sizes for Agricultural Watershed & Open Space designated lands cannot be changed without a vote of the people.
1966-68
Ag Preserve Zoning District debated and enacted with the passage of Ordinance #274, establishing minimum twenty acre parcel size in the Ag Preserve.

1968
Suit filed by Napa Valley United Farmers seeking an injunction to prevent Ordinance #274 from becoming effective.

1971
Superior Court upholds validity of Ordinance #274.

1973
Established minimum 40 acre limit in Ag Watershed areas.

1977
Ordinance #541 adopted expanding the Ag Preserve in north Napa area by approximately 1,300 acres.

1979
Board of Supervisors adopts Ordinance #610 increasing minimum parcel size in Ag Preserve Zone from 20 to 40 acres.

1980
Measure A, an initiative limiting the population growth in the unincorporated county areas to 1% per year passes.

1990
Measure J, an initiative that prohibits conversion of agricultural lands to non-agricultural uses without a vote of the people unless conversion meets with certain specified criteria passes; lawsuit immediately filed challenging validity of Measure J.

1994
County established 160-acre minimums in Ag Watershed & Open Space areas,

1995
California Supreme Court upholds validity of Measure J.

1999
Groundwater Ordinance passes, establishing protection & priority of groundwater for agriculture and requiring groundwater permits for new non-ag wells.

2008
Measure “P” passed by voters. It extends Measure “J” until 2058 and strengthens Measure “J” by including a policy that the minimum lot sizes for Agricultural Watershed & Open Space designated lands cannot be changed without a vote of the people.
