Commission requires majority agricultural vendors for farmers markets, allows markets on farms

The Branson Planning Commission on Feb. 4, 2025, approved amendments to temporary-use permit rules that require a majority of vendors at a farmers market be agricultural vendors and that explicitly permit farmers markets in the AG zoning district. The measure passed by a recorded vote of 9-0.

Staff said the change replaces a fixed-maximum approach (previously listing a maximum of 25 agricultural vendors and up to 5 non‑agricultural vendors) with a majority-rule test so event applicants and staff have more flexibility during permit review. Staff told the commission the amendment also adds a notation in the temporary-use table to allow farmers markets in the AG district so an on‑site farm market can be permitted.

Staff explained other operational requirements remain in place: applicants must submit rules and regulations for how the market will operate and manage vendor participation, and the temporary-use table still governs allowable zones, operating hours, maximum area, and event duration. Under the city's existing rules for farmers markets, staff said a market may operate up to 52 consecutive days in a single permitted occurrence; if an event does not meet the majority-agricultural test it would be treated as an outdoor sales or promotional event and be subject to that category's limits (for example, fewer occurrences per parcel per year and shorter duration per occurrence).

Commissioners asked about enforcement and responsibility for ensuring the majority rule. Staff said enforcement is a "fluid process" and, in practice, responsibility is on a case-by-case basis: applicants must submit their operating rules with the permit application and staff will investigate complaints if community members call in. Staff recommended approval; the commission opened and closed the public hearing with no public commenters, then approved the amendment 9-0 after a motion and second (mover and seconder not specified).