Urban equestrian inclusion zones.

New Section 2 amends Government Code Section 66300 to explicitly include 'entering into enforceable contracts with landowners for restricting land use for equestrian activities pursuant to Section 51043' within the definition of 'reducing the intensity of land use.' This means such contracts are now subject to the Housing Crisis Act's prohibition on downzoning unless there is no net loss in residential capacity.

New subdivision (a)(1)(E) requires that entering into equestrian contracts 'shall require compliance with subdivision (h) of Section 66300,' which mandates that any reduction in land use intensity must be offset by adding equivalent residential capacity elsewhere in the jurisdiction at the same time or within 180 days.

Removed the provision (old subdivision (e)) that required a county or city and county to obtain consent from a city's legislative body before establishing an equestrian zone within that city's sphere of influence.

Zone boundaries changed from 'may include an equine or equestrian district' to 'shall be within an equine or equestrian district,' making it a mandatory requirement rather than permissive. Also added that parcels adjoined or separated only by a street or highway count as within the district.

The bill now amends Section 66300 of the Government Code in addition to adding new Chapter 6.4, expanding its legal footprint into existing housing law.

New subdivision (a)(1)(D) requires that zone boundaries 'shall only include parcels that currently contain, and have contained on an ongoing basis since January 1, 2020, an equestrian activity use.' This excludes parcels without a documented history of equestrian use going back to 2020.

The term 'inclusion' was added throughout, changing the name from 'Urban Equestrian Incentive Zones' to 'Urban Equestrian Incentive Inclusion Zones.'

New provision excludes any parcels included in the sites inventory under Section 65583(a)(3) from being within the boundaries of an urban equestrian incentive zone, preventing these zones from covering land already identified for housing development.

Expanded the types of land eligible for equestrian incentive zone contracts to include 'properties with existing facilities used for equestrian activity use' in addition to vacant, unimproved, or blighted lands, broadening the scope of properties that can participate.

Local rules and regulations implementing an equestrian incentive zone must now be consistent not only with zoning and other ordinances but also with the general plan and other land use standards, adding an additional layer of compliance for local agencies.

Removed the entirely new Section 27 that defined 'equestrian establishment zone' as a facility, trail, property, or locally designated area used for commercial or organized equestrian events, along with language prohibiting interpretation that would restrict local agencies from designating such zones.

The bill now creates an entirely new Chapter 6.4 (commencing with Section 51043) in the Government Code rather than adding a single definition section to an existing chapter, reflecting a more comprehensive legislative structure.

Added an entirely new Chapter 6.4 (Section 51043) to the Government Code authorizing cities, counties, and city and counties to establish urban equestrian incentive zones by ordinance after a public hearing, allowing enforceable voluntary contracts with landowners to restrict land use for equestrian activities.

Added legislative findings declaring preservation of equestrian land use a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair, making the bill applicable to all cities including charter cities.

Established contract requirements: minimum 5-year initial term, property size between 0.1 and 3 acres, entire property must be dedicated to equestrian activity use, and no dwellings permitted except a livestock caretaker's dwelling.

Authorized local agencies to impose fees on contracting landowners to cover reasonable costs of implementing and administering the contracts.

Set a sunset provision: no new contracts or renewals after January 1, 2029. Contracts entered into on or before that date remain valid for their full duration.

For vacant, unimproved, or blighted lands specifically, a city must obtain approval from the county board of supervisors before establishing an urban equestrian incentive zone. Counties cannot establish zones within a city's sphere of influence without that city's consent.

The original Section 27 definition of 'equestrian establishment zone' was retained but renumbered as Section 2, while new definitions for 'equestrian activities' (any activity involving equine) and 'equestrian activity use' (land or structures where equine activities take place) were added within the new chapter.

Permitted structures supporting equestrian activities including stables, barns, covered or uncovered riding areas, feed or hay barns, tool equipment sheds, tack rooms, and instructional space.