Table of Contents

Agritourism | Food Systems

The county’s zoning code addresses agritourism. It establishes three agricultural zoning districts: General Agriculture (§17.16), Agricultural Preserve (§17.18), and Residential Agriculture (§17.20). The agricultural zoning district regulations allow by right a wide range of income-generating activities to benefit farmers and ranchers, including on-farm sales, roadside stands, u-pick operations, agritourism activities, education centers, and private special events. Performance standards are provided for a number of these uses, in particular agricultural homestays and special events, to mitigate potential impacts to the surrounding areas.

Farmland Protection

The county’s zoning code addresses farmland protection through agricultural zoning (§17.18). Provisions include a right-to-farm statement and allow a wide range of income-generating activities to benefit farmers and ranchers, including agritourism activities, agricultural/environmental education center, educational seminars, rural recreation, special events, and agricultural homestays. Performance standards mitigate road maintenance and ensure the primacy of active agricultural uses; site development standards establish a 50-acre minimum parcel size.

Home Occupations

The county’s zoning code distinguishes between four types of home occupations.

The code permits low-intensity “residential occupations” by right, subject to use-specific standards. “Residential occupations” must comply with location and space, traffic generation, nuisance, dwelling modification, sign, employee, and specific use standards (§17.68.020).

The code permits “rural home businesses” by right, subject to use specific standards. “Rural home businesses” must comply with location and space, traffic generation, nuisance, dwelling modification, sign, employee, and specific use standards (§17.68.030). If the business anticipates the need for additional employees beyond the standards of §17.68.030, the accessory use may apply for the “rural home industry” zoning designation (§17.68.030.F). The “rural home industry” zone requires a discretionary use permit and allow for a higher-intensity uses (§17.32.010).

It permits “rural home medical clinics” by right, subject to use-specific standards. “Rural home medical clinics” must comply with location and space, parking, nuisance, hazardous waste, dwelling modification, sign, employee, and residency standards (§17.68.040). It does not permit overnight patient care or use of accessory structures (§17.68.040.G–H).

The code allows “rural veterinarian clinics” with a discretionary use permit, subject to use-specific standards. “Rural veterinarian clinics” must comply with location and space, parking, nuisance, hazardous waste, dwelling modification, sign, residency, and employee standards (§17.68.050). It prohibits the use of accessory structures and permits boarding of animals (§17.68.050.G–H).