The intent and purpose of the E-A zone district is to:
(1) 
Provide for those uses, such as agriculture, which are customarily conducted in areas which are not yet appropriate or suited for urban development;
(2) 
Protect and encourage agricultural uses wherever feasible;
(3) 
Implement the goals and objectives of the general plan;
(4) 
Recognize that agricultural activities are a necessary part of the ongoing character of Carlsbad;
(5) 
Help assure the continuation of a healthy, agricultural economy in appropriate areas of Carlsbad.
(Ord. NS-9384 § 2, 1974)
A. 
In an E-A zone, notwithstanding any other provision of this title, only the uses listed in Table A below, shall be permitted subject to the requirements and development standards specified in this chapter, and subject to the provisions of Chapter 21.44 of this title governing off-street parking requirements.
B. 
The uses permitted by conditional use permit, as indicated in Table A, shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 21.42 of this title.
C. 
A use similar to those listed in Table A, may be permitted if the City Planner determines such similar use falls within the intent and purposes of this zone, and is substantially similar to the specified permitted uses.
D. 
A use category may be general in nature, where more than one particular use fits into the general category (ex. in some commercial zones "office" is a general use category that applies to various office uses). However, if a particular use is permitted by conditional use permit in another zone, the use shall not be permitted in this exclusive agricultural zone (even under a general use category) unless it is specifically listed in Table A of this chapter as permitted or conditionally permitted.
Table A
Permitted Uses
In the table below, subject to all applicable permitting and development requirements of the municipal code:
"P" indicates use is permitted. (See note 6 below)
"CUP" indicates use is permitted with approval of a conditional use permit. (See note 6 below)
1 = Minor Conditional Use Permit (Process One), pursuant to Chapter 21.42 of this title.
2 = Conditional Use Permit (Process Two), pursuant to Chapter 21.42 of this title.
3 = Conditional Use Permit (Process Three), pursuant to Chapter 21.42 of this title.
"Acc" indicates use is permitted as an accessory use.
Use
P
CUP
Acc
Accessory uses and structures (see note 4)
 
 
X
Agriculture (see note 7 below)
X
Agriculture/aquaculture/flower stands (see note 3 below) (defined: Section 21.04.024)
X
Airports
 
3
 
Animals and poultry—small (less than 25) (see note 1)
X
 
 
Animals and poultry—small (more than 25) (see note 1)
 
1
 
Apiary/bee keeping (subject to Section 21.42.140(B)(5))
 
1
 
Aquaculture (defined: Section 21.04.036)
 
2
 
Aviary
 
1
 
Biological habitat preserve (subject to Section 21.42.140(B)(30); defined: Section 21.04.048)
 
2
 
Campsites (overnight) (subject to Section 21.42.140(B)(40))
 
2
 
Cattle, sheep, goats and swine production (see note 2)
X
 
 
Cemeteries
 
3
 
Churches, synagogues, temples, convents, monasteries, and other places of worship
 
2
 
Columbariums, crematories, and mausoleums (not within a cemetery)
 
2
 
Crop production
X
 
 
Drive-thru facilities (not restaurants)
 
2
 
Dwelling, single-family (farm house)
 
 
X
Fairgrounds
 
3
 
Family day care home (large) (defined: Section 21.04.147; subject to Chapter 21.83)
 
 
X
Family day care home (small) (defined: Section 21.04.148; subject to Chapter 21.83)
 
 
X
Farmworker housing complex, small (subject to Section 21.10.125; defined: Section 21.04.148.4)
X
 
 
Floriculture
X
 
 
Golf courses
 
3
 
Greenhouses > 2,000 square feet (subject to Section 21.42.140(B)(70))
 
1
 
Greenhouses (2,000 square feet maximum)
X
 
 
Guest house
 
 
X
Hay and feed stores
 
1
 
Horses, private use
X
 
 
Mobile buildings (subject to Section 21.42.140(B)(90); defined: Section 21.04.265)
 
2
 
Mobile home (see note 5)
 
 
X
Nursery crop production
X
 
 
Other uses or enterprises similar to the above customarily carried on in the field of agriculture
X
 
 
Packing/sorting sheds > 600 square feet (subject to Section 21.42.140(B)(70))
 
1
 
Plant nurseries and nursery supplies
 
1
 
Processing plant (for crops) (subject to Section 21.04.140(B)(115))
 
1
 
Produce/flower stand for display and sale of products produced on the same premises (see note 3)
X
 
 
Public/quasi-public buildings and facilities and accessory utility buildings/facilities (defined: Section 21.04.297)
 
2
 
Radio/television/microwave/broadcast station/tower
 
2
 
Recreation facilities
 
2
 
Satellite television antennae (subject to Section 21.53.130, et seq.)
 
 
X
Signs (subject to Chapter 21.41; defined: Section 21.04.305)
 
 
X
Stables/riding academies (defined: Sections 21.04.310 and 21.04.315)
 
2
 
Stadiums
 
3
 
Tree farms
X
 
 
Truck farms
X
 
 
Veterinary clinic/animal hospital (small animals) (defined: Section 21.04.378)
 
1
 
Windmills (exceeding height limit of zone) (subject to Section 21.42.140(B)(160))
 
2
 
Wireless communication facilities (subject to Section 21.42.140(B)(165); defined: Section 21.04.379)
 
1 / 2
 
Zoos (private) (subject to Section 21.42.140(B)(170); defined: Section 21.04.400)
 
2
 
Notes:
1.
Small animals and poultry. Provided that not more than twenty-five of any one or combination thereof shall be kept within seventy-five feet of any habitable structure, nor shall they be located within three hundred feet of a habitable structure on an adjoining parcel zoned for residential uses, nor shall they be located within one hundred feet of a parcel zoned for residential uses when a habitable structure is not involved. In any event, the distance from the parcel zoned for residential uses shall be the greater of the distances so indicated.
2.
Cattle, sheep, goats and swine production. Provided that the number of any one or combination of said animals shall not exceed one animal per half acre of lot area. Said animals shall not be located within seventy-five feet of any habitable structure, nor shall they be located within three hundred feet of a habitable structure on an adjoining parcel zoned for residential uses, nor shall they be located within one hundred feet of a parcel zoned for residential uses when a habitable structure is not involved. In any event, the distance from the parcel zoned for residential uses shall be the greater of the distances so indicated.
3.
Agriculture/aquaculture/flower stands. Provided that the floor area of the stand shall not exceed two hundred square feet, that the stand is located not nearer than twenty feet to any street or highway, and that the stand is only allowed accessory to an active agricultural or aquacultural use.
4.
Accessory uses/structures. Include but are not limited to: private garages, children's playhouses, radio and television receiving antennas, windmills, silos, tank houses, shops, barns, offices, coops, lath houses, stables, pens, corrals, and other similar accessory uses and structures required for the conduct of the permitted uses.
5.
Mobile home. Certified under the National Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. Section 5401 et seq.) on a foundation system pursuant to Section 18551 of the State Health and Safety Code.
6.
Any use meeting the definition of an entertainment establishment, as defined in Section 8.09.020 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code (CMC), shall be subject to the requirements of CMC Chapter 8.09.
7.
Only the following agricultural uses, and buildings accessory to such agricultural uses, under this use type are permitted in the E-A zone: (A) Field and seed crops, (B) Truck crops, (C) Horticultural crops, (D) Orchards and vineyards, (E) Tree farms, (F) Fallow lands.
(Ord. 9384 § 2, 1974; Ord. 9427 § 1, 1975; Ord. 9674 § 2, 1983; Ord. 9785 § 2, 1986; Ord. 9804 § 6, 1986; Ord. NS-409 § 2, 1997; Ord. NS-791 § 8, 2006; Ord. CS-102 §§ VI, VII, 2010; Ord. CS-164 § 10, 2011; Ord. CS-189 § VI, 2012; Ord. CS-224 §§ I, II, 2013; Ord. CS-474, 8/20/2024)
The minimum required area of a lot in the E-A zone district shall conform to the area expressed in acres of not less than the number following the zoning symbol on the official zoning map, except that in no event shall a lot be created into less than ten acres in area.
Example: E-A-15 shall mean fifteen-acre minimum lot required.
(Ord. 9384 § 2, 1974)
Every lot hereafter created in the E-A zone shall maintain a minimum width at the rear line of the required front yard of not less than three hundred feet.
(Ord. 9384 § 2, 1974)
No building or structure, except as otherwise provided by this chapter, shall be erected or placed less than forty feet from the front lot line.
(Ord. 9384 § 2, 1974)
Every lot and building site shall have a side yard on each side of the lot or building site, and each side yard, except as otherwise provided by this chapter, shall be not less than fifteen feet in width.
(Ord. 9384 § 2, 1974)
Every lot and building site, except as otherwise provided by this chapter, shall have a rear yard not less than twenty-five feet in depth.
(Ord. 9384 § 2, 1974)
No building in the E-A zone used for dwelling purposes, wherever located, and no building or structure used for other than dwelling purposes and located less than one hundred feet from any property line, shall exceed thirty feet and two stories if a minimum roof pitch of three to twelve (3:12) is provided or twenty-four feet and two stories if less than a 3:12 roof pitch is provided. A building or structure used for other than dwelling purposes and located one hundred feet or more from any property line may exceed the maximum allowable height pursuant to conditional use permit. Single-family residences on lots with a lot area of twenty thousand square feet or greater shall not exceed thirty-five feet and three stories with a minimum roof pitch of 3:12 provided.
(Ord. 9384 § 2, 1974; Ord. NS-180 § 10, 1991; Ord. NS-204 § 5, 1992)
Lot coverage with buildings and structures shall not exceed forty percent of the lot. Buildings and structures used for growing or raising plants are not counted as coverage.
(Ord. 9384 § 2, 1974; Ord. 9427 § 3, 1975)
No one-family dwelling unit, whether it be conventionally built, modular or a mobile home, shall be located on a lot in this zone unless such dwelling unit complies with the following development standards:
(1) 
Garage(s), which are provided to meet the parking requirements for dwellings pursuant to Section 21.44.020 of this title, shall be architecturally integrated with and have an exterior similar to the dwelling unit.
(2) 
All dwelling units shall have a permanent foundation. For mobile homes a foundation system installed pursuant to Section 18551 of the State Health and Safety Code shall satisfy the requirements of this section.
(3) 
Exterior siding material shall be stucco, masonry, wood or brick unless an alternative exterior material is approved by the City Planner. The City Planner may approve a siding material other than those listed in this section only if he or she finds that use of such material is in harmony with other dwelling units in the neighborhood.
(4) 
All roofs shall have a pitch of at least three inches in twenty inches unless another pitch is approved by the City Planner. No roof shall be made of corrugated, extruded or stamped metal.
(5) 
All dwelling units shall have a minimum width of twenty feet.
(Ord. 9599 § 2, 1981; Ord. 1261 § 37, 1983; Ord. NS-675 § 76, 2003; Ord. CS-102 § VIII, 2010; Ord. CS-164 § 10, 2011)