Chapter 23.307 — Agricultural Zoning Districts

The purpose of this chapter is to establish agricultural zoning districts in the city, along with allowed use and development standards applicable to those districts. These districts are consistent with and implement the city's General Plan agricultural land use categories (general agricultural) as shown in Table 23.301-1 (Zoning Districts).

(Ord. 27-2008 § 1 (Exh. A § 2.3.010); Ord. 12-2011 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 4-2017 § 3 (Exh. B); Ord. 1-2022 § 3 (Exh. A))

The following descriptions of each agricultural zoning district identify the characteristic uses, intensity of uses, and level of development intended for that district:

• A. Agricultural (AG) Zoning Districts. These districts are intended to preserve land for agricultural use and operations and discourage the premature conversion of agricultural land to urban uses. The two agricultural zoning districts allow for a wide variety of agricultural and compatible uses on large tracts of land, such as crop production, animal keeping (e.g., livestock), and commercial agricultural-related uses (e.g., stables). The number associated with the AG district corresponds to the minimum lot size in each district and is limited to the following:

  1. AG-80 Zoning District (80-Acre Minimum). The AG-80 zone is applied to areas of the city to accommodate a wide range of agricultural uses on parcels of land a minimum of 80 gross acres in size.

  2. AG-20 Zoning District (20-Acre Minimum). The AG-20 zone is applied to areas of the city to accommodate agricultural use on parcels a minimum of 20 gross acres in size.

• (Ord. 27-2008 § 1 (Exh. A § 2.3.020); Ord. 12-2011 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 4-2017 § 3 (Exh. B); Ord. 1-2022 § 3 (Exh. A))

Table 23.307-1 identifies allowed uses and corresponding permit requirements for the agricultural zoning districts subject to compliance with Chapter 23.304 RCMC (Land Use Classification) and all other provisions of this title. Descriptions/definitions of the land uses can be found in Article 11 of this title (Definitions). The specific use regulations column in the table identifies the specific chapter or section where additional regulations for that use type are located within this title.

Use regulations in the table are shown with a representative symbol by use classification listing: "P" symbolizes uses allowed by right, "AUP" symbolizes uses that require approval of an administrative use permit, "C" symbolizes uses that require approval of a conditional use permit, and "N" symbolizes uses that are not permitted.

Notes:

1. Each lot or parcel shall contain a minimum of five gross acres per accessory dwelling unit.

(Ord. 27-2008 § 1 (Exh. A § 2.3.030); Ord. 12-2011 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 4-2017 § 3 (Exh. B); Ord. 1-2022 § 3 (Exh. A))

The following development standards are applicable to the agricultural zoning districts. These standards, along with other development standards (e.g., landscaping requirements, signs, parking standards) in this title and citywide design guidelines, are intended to assist property owners and project designers in understanding the city's minimum requirements and expectations for high quality development.

Notes:

1. Water tanks, silos, granaries, barns, and similar accessory structures or necessary mechanical appurtenances may exceed a height of 50 feet provided they do not exceed any other height restrictions imposed on the specific location of the structure.

(Ord. 27-2008 § 1 (Exh. A § 2.3.040); Ord. 12-2011 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 4-2017 § 3 (Exh. B); Ord. 1-2022 § 3 (Exh. A))