All That's Allowed: Napa County is taking a hard look at winery use permits

Northbay Biz
December 2015
"All That's Allowed"

Napa County is taking a hard look at winery use permits after wineries inadvertently overstep their bounds on production and events. In the article, Farella wine industry practice chair Katherine Philippakis advises winery owners to take compliance issues seriously and act early. "So often, I’m asked to help once a problem has become a crisis. In that situation, any resolution is invariably more lengthy, frustrating and expensive than it would have been with an early intervention. When I’m asked to consult on a project in its initial stages, I can often help guide the landowner to avoid potential problems altogether.” 

Additionally, she advises that you don't delude yourself that a permit issue will go away by itself or is likely to be simply resolved. “Often, wineries have use permits that have been modified multiple times over the years, and it can be very complicated to determine which conditions remain in effect and which have fallen into desuetude. In addition, permit conditions are often vague, ambiguous or no longer clearly applicable. I’ve found there’s rarely a simple case.”