Conditional Use Permit CUP-24-0003 (Richards Ranch)

The applicants, Richards Land and Cattle, are requesting approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP-24-0003) to allow operation of a private event venue (herein referred to as the Event Center) on an approximately 57-acre portion of their ranch property located at 12206 Rices Crossing Road in Oregon House (APN 048-220-089). The site is situated west of Rices Crossing Road and east of Woods Creek, approximately 3.2 miles south of Marysville Road. The property is designated Natural Resources under the 2030 Yuba County General Plan and zoned AE-40 (Exclusive Agricultural, 40-acre minimum), making the proposed use conditionally allowable with Planning Commission approval of a Conditional Use Permit. The proposed use is consistent with the County’s framework for rural commercial and agritourism–related activities, which are intended to support rural economies while maintaining agricultural operations and rural character. The event center is designed as a temporary, seasonal use that complements ongoing ranching and agricultural activities on the property, rather than replacing or converting them. Outside of permitted event periods, the site will continue to operate as a working ranch. No permanent urban development or subdivision is proposed. INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION Yuba County Planning Department CUP-24-0003 January 2026 APNs: 048-220-089 Page 2 of 59 The proposed Event Center would annually host up to four (4) events above and beyond those otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 11.32.320 of the Yuba County Development Code, accommodating over two hundred fifty (250) people per event. Two (2) events would allow up to 1,000 attendees, and two (2) events would allow between two hundred fifty (250) and five hundred (500) attendees. Events may include weddings, educational tours, community gatherings, and similar activities, some of which may feature live music. The four requested events may occur for up to three days in length (12 total days per year), although setup and cleanup activities may extend beyond the dates with attendees. Events with up to 1,000 attendees shall be limited to January through June, consistent with CAL FIRE’s recommendation that this period presents minimal wildfire hazards in the project area. The two events with attendance between two hundred fifty (250) people and five hundred (500) people may occur outside this period, subject to applicable fire safety requirements and Conditions of Approval. All event activities will occur within the project site, as shown on the event center proposed plan. During each event, amplified music may occur, and space may be provided for workshops, cultural activities, artisan markets, and food vendors. All events would include designated parking areas, vendor booths, food truck parking, and temporary sanitation facilities. If a component of an event includes stages, they would be set up, designed, and oriented with the noise mitigation measures identified in the Noise Impact Study. Fencing would be installed to limit pedestrian movement and manage access as needed. All proposed facilities and activities would be temporary and would not involve ground disturbance. Overnight accommodation in the form of camping would be allowed with each of the four events. These camping areas would vary in size to accommodate the specific needs of the events and would consist of a combination of RV/trailer spaces and tent camping spaces. Camping areas would be located in several areas of the event center and would include sanitation facilities in close proximity. Camping areas would be sited to maintain appropriate buffers from environmentally sensitive receptors, as further evaluated and addressed in the applicable environmental resource sections of this document. Depending on the size of the event, all areas shown as available for camping may not be used.