ARTICLE 7 – AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS     7.00

7.1     PURPOSE

It is the purpose of this section is to establish a district for agricultural and single family residential uses associated with farming operations, together in a compatible environment.  The purpose of this zone is to encourage the preservation and enhancement of agricultural land and farming practices together with specified nonagricultural activity allowed by ordinance. 

7.2     PERMITTED USES

A.     Agricultural and Forestry Activities -  forestry, field crops, fruit orchards, truck farming, horticulture, aviaries, hatcheries, apiaries, plant and tree nurseries, greenhouses, the raising and keeping of small animals and livestock and sod farming.

B.      One family dwelling.

C.      State licensed residential facility.

D.     Temporary Buildings or Trailers:  For uses incidental to construction work.  Such buildings or trailers shall be removed upon the completion or abandonment of the construction work and before issuance of any occupancy permit.

E.      Accessory Uses: Accessory uses that are customarily incidental to any  principal use permitted in this district to the extent that those accessory uses do not constitute, create, or increase a nuisance in fact which adversely affects a legally conforming use of  adjoining or nearby premises.

F.      Cemeteries.

G.      Public buildings and public service installations.

H.           Ponds/Artificial wetlands.

I.              Nature preserves, fishing areas.

J.       Home occupations.

7.3     USES ALLOWED BY SPECIAL PERMIT 

            In order to avoid intrusion of undesirable uses and to foster all possible benefits for a continued high quality agricultural environment, all residential and nonresidential land and structural uses in the agricultural district have been classified into those uses permitted by "right" and those permitted by special use permit.  Those uses permitted by right include those that require a minimum of limitations; but those uses presenting potential injurious effect upon residential and other property, unless authorized under specific imposed conditions, are controlled through the issuance of special use permits. The following uses of land and structures may be permitted by the application for, and the issuance, of a special use permit.

A.    Production of fur bearing animals

B.    Grain and seed elevators

C.    Wholesale agricultural products storage

D.    Riding stables

E     Livestock auction yards

F.     Kennels

G.    Bed and Breakfast

H.    Agricultural retail facilities

I.     Veterinary hospital

J.     Campground/RV Park

K.    Commercial composting

L.    Fireworks Storage

M.   Hunting Preserve

N.    Wireless communication facilities.

O.        Public and Private Airports

P.          Golf Courses (Amended 4/11/06 )

7.4   ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS IN THE AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT

       For nonfarm parcels less than three (3) acres in size, the following restrictions on the number of animals shall apply: The raising and keeping of animals over five hundred (500 lbs.) pounds shall be allowed, provided that the minimum area upon which one horse or similar animal may be kept is two acres (2) one half (1/2) acre for each additional horse or similar animal. (Amended 11/12/02 )