San Diego County will host its first focus group May 13 on a proposal to update the county’s winery ordinance and consider whether wineries could operate in rural residential zones, according to East County Magazine.

The Tiered Winery Rural Residential Expansion Project grew out of a 2024 feasibility analysis that looked at whether wineries could be allowed in zones currently set aside for housing and small-scale agriculture. County officials are seeking feedback from rural residential residents, agritourism partners and agricultural resource organizations.

The first meeting is scheduled for noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, at the County Operations Center, 5560 Overland Ave., Room 172, with a virtual option available by Zoom. Topics include noise buffers and setbacks for amplified live music, outdoor seating capacity for boutique wineries, operating standards and environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act.

For East County residents, the issue is a balance between supporting the backcountry agricultural economy and protecting the rural character of neighborhoods that could be affected by traffic, crowds and event noise. A second focus group is planned for mid-June, followed by an open house in mid-July before draft language is finalized.

More information is available through the county’s Tiered Winery Rural Expansion portal.