Wineries & Farm Breweries

Gravel Road Around a Winery Field with House in the Background

On this page is information related to opening a small winery (producing less than 20,000 cases per year) in the unincorporated areas of Placer County. A Flowchart (PDF) is available that outlines the steps in the review/permit processes described in our Frequently Asked Questions.

Key Definitions

  • Agricultural Accessory Structures: An uninhabited structure or building designed and built to store farm animals, implements, supplies or products, that contains no residential use and is not open to the public. Includes: barns; grain elevators; silos, and other similar buildings and structures, but not commercial greenhouses (which are under "Plant Nurseries") or buildings for agricultural processing activities (which are under "Agricultural Processing").
  • Promotional Events: An event sponsored by the property owner, an association of agricultural property owners, or similar organizations formed to assist the agricultural industry in the area, to promote the sale of Placer County wines, and which is intended to allow for the sampling and direct marketing and sales of wine produced on the premises or produced elsewhere from grapes grown on site. Such events include "winemaker's dinners."
  • Winery Ordinance: The Winery Ordinance was created to provide for the orderly development of wineries. The Winery Ordinance does not waive any requirements from the various departments/divisions.

Building Permits

A valid Building Permit is required before inviting the public into a building.

Fee Schedules

View fee schedules for:

Contacts