Irvine · Land use · Growing crops
Where is growing crops (agriculture) allowed in Irvine?
In Irvine, growing crops (agriculture) is allowed in 26 base zones (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 21 more, 20 with a condition) and not allowed in 2 (Irvine use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.9, 2.1, 2.2 and 18 more
- Not allowed: 1.6 and 9.1
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Irvine Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where growing crops (agriculture) can go
Irvine's code calls this use “Agriculture”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1 Exclusive Agriculture | Allowed | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 1.2 Development Reserve | Allowed | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 1.3 Conservation/Open Space Reserve | Allowed — see note Note 1: All agricultural uses are prohibited on the frontal slopes of Quail Hill within Planning Area 16, except cattle grazing. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 1.4 Preservation | Allowed — see note Note 2: Prior to open space dedication to a public agency. Note 48: Permitted in Planning Area 51. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 1.5 Recreation | Allowed | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 1.9 Great Park | Allowed | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 2.1 Estate Density Residential (0 — 1) | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 2.2 Low-Density Residential (0 — 6.5) | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 2.3 Medium-Density Residential (0 — 12.5) | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 2.4 Medium-High-Density Residential (0 — 31) | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 2.5 High-Density Residential (0 — 50) | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 3.1 Multi-Use | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 4.1 Neighborhood Commercial | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 4.2 Community Commercial | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. Note 5: Uses in 4.2C ("Old Town Irvine"), subject to provisions of the Historic Overlay District. See Chapter 5-5. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 4.3 Vehicle Related Commercial | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 4.4 Commercial Recreation | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 4.9 Lower Peters Cyn. Regional Commercial | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 5.0 IBC Mixed Use | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 5.1 IBC Multi-Use | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. Note 36: This use is assumed to have no traffic generation for trip budgeting purposes. Consult Section 9-36-8.B.3 (IBC General Land Uses) for more information. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 5.2 IBC Industrial | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. Note 36: This use is assumed to have no traffic generation for trip budgeting purposes. Consult Section 9-36-8.B.3 (IBC General Land Uses) for more information. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 5.3 IBC Residential | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. Note 36: This use is assumed to have no traffic generation for trip budgeting purposes. Consult Section 9-36-8.B.3 (IBC General Land Uses) for more information. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 5.4 General Industrial | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 5.5 Medical and Science | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 5.6 Business Park | Allowed | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 6.1 Institutional | Allowed — see note Note 3: Interim use. Note 49: May be permanent in Planning Area 51 only. | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
| 8.1 Trails and Transit Oriented Development | Allowed | Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Apiary (P only in 1.1), Dairy, commercial, Greenhouse and Packing plant for agriculture products are separate rows. Planning Areas 4, 5, 34 and 38 have their own matrices (S7, S8, S34, S36) that differ from Division 3 (e.g. PA 4 lists child care and churches as P in 2.3/2.4/3.1/4.2/4.9); PA 33 (S33) has narrative rules.
- Not covered here: Planning Areas 4, 5, 34, 38 have their own land use matrices (S7, S8, S34, S36) and PA 33 has a narrative list (S33); Sec. 3-3-1 says it does not cover PAs 4, 5, 33, 34, 38. Not extracted.; Categories 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8: the Division 3 matrix cells only say "Section 3-37-23/25/26/27"; the district chapters for 4.x-9.x (Sec. 3-37-18 onward) are not in the packet.; Category 7.1 Military: only a reference cell ("Section 3-37-38").; Division 3 matrix pages 3, 4 (rows Dairy..Home occupation permit) and 9, 10 (Retail home improvement..Transitional housing) have shifted columns beyond 4.4; uses read from them are limited to categories 1.1-4.4, or dropped.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Irvine
Who this affects
HomeownersBuyersReal estate agentsSmall developers
Frequently asked questions
Can I have growing crops (agriculture) in the 1.6 zone in Irvine?
No. Irvine's use table does not allow it in 1.6 (Water Bodies) (Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS).
Can I have growing crops (agriculture) in the 1.1 zone in Irvine?
Yes. Irvine's use table lists it as allowed in 1.1 (Exclusive Agriculture) (Division 3 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS).
General information, not legal advice.
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