Yakima County Commissioners Review Agritourism Code Updates in Fourth Public Hearing

Yakima County Commissioners convened on August 26, 2025, to discuss significant updates to local regulations governing agritourism and outdoor festivals. The meeting, attended by all commissioners and various stakeholders, included a public hearing aimed at gathering community feedback on proposed changes to Yakima County Code Titles 8 and 19.

The proposed updates, presented by Olivia Story from the Long Range Planning Department, aim to modernize regulations to better align with current industry practices. Key changes include reducing the minimum size requirement for agritourism operations from five acres to as little as one acre, removing caps on event space, and allowing restaurants at agritourism sites to serve the public without requiring overnight lodging. These adjustments are designed to enhance the viability of agritourism businesses while ensuring they remain within the constraints of agricultural zoning.

The public hearing marked the fourth opportunity for community input, following extensive outreach efforts that included multiple hearings and consultations with industry experts. Despite the proactive engagement, no public comment letters were received prior to the meeting, indicating a potential lack of opposition or concern from the community.

Commissioners expressed their commitment to thorough stakeholder engagement, emphasizing the importance of balancing agricultural land use with the evolving needs of the agritourism sector. The board is expected to deliberate on the proposed changes following the public comments, with the possibility of adopting the new regulations soon.

If approved, the changes will take effect 90 days after the official notice of adoption is published, marking a significant step forward for agritourism in Yakima County. The commissioners highlighted the importance of these updates in supporting local businesses and enhancing the county's agricultural economy.