ARTICLE 5.5. Agricultural Leasing [5069. - 5069.4.]

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC 5.5.

in effect

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 5069. Section 5069.

The Legislature finds and declares that agricultural lands are necessary to the conservation of the state’s economic resources and necessary to the maintenance of the economy of the state, and that the preservation of agricultural lands in productivity is necessary for the protection of the public interest and, in appropriate instances, is desirable for the enhancement of the use and enjoyment of units of the state park system.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 5069.1. Section 5069.1.

Any portion of any parcel of real property acquired for state park system purposes, which had been farmed or grazed, or otherwise used for agricultural purposes, within the 24 months immediately preceding acquisition, may be made available for lease for agricultural purposes by the department if the director makes written findings that use of the real property for agricultural purposes would be compatible with the ultimate use of the real property as a unit, or part of a unit, of the state park system and with the sound management and conservation of resources within the unit.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 5069.2. Section 5069.2.

Following approval of the general plan for a unit of the state park system pursuant to Section 5002.2, all real property which has been designated in the general plan for retention in agricultural use indefinitely as a feature of that unit shall be made available for leasing by the department for agricultural purposes. In addition, any real property which will not be improved pursuant to the general plan for at least three years from the date of approval of the general plan, and which was being leased for agricultural purposes immediately prior to approval of the general plan, may continue to be available for leasing for agricultural purposes if the director makes written findings that use would be compatible with the general plan or until the commencement of improvements thereon.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 5069.3. Section 5069.3.

(a) The rent for real property leased for agricultural purposes shall be based upon the fair market value of the real property when used for agricultural purposes. All rents shall be deposited pursuant to Section 5010. (b) A lease term shall not exceed 10 years. A lease may be renewed for additional terms. (c) A lease entered into pursuant to this article shall be subject to approval by the Department of General Services, unless that approval is waived by the Department of General Services. Each lease shall require the lessee to pay the taxes on the lessee’s interest in the real property that become due, owing, or unpaid on the interest created by the lease.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 5069.4. Section 5069.4.

For the purposes of this article, “agricultural purposes” means the growing and harvesting of plant or animal products in a manner not inconsistent with the long-term natural qualities and recreational potentials of the land. “Agricultural purposes” does not include any activity related to the harvesting and production of timber.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026