Yakima County holds public hearing on proposed agritourism code changes, lodging and acreage remain contested

Yakima County on Tuesday opened a public hearing on draft changes to county code governing outdoor festivals and agritourism, with staff and industry representatives debating how rules should treat overnight lodging, minimum acreage for agritourism operations and temporary parking.

Olivia Story, manager for long-range planning and public services, told the Board of Yakima County Commissioners the draft updates are intended to clarify distinctions between low-impact uses (for example, production and occasional tastings) and higher-impact agritourism activities that can include events, lodging and larger venues. "This is our second public hearing for our agritourism project," Story said, and staff has taken recommendations from an advisory group and the planning commission into the draft.

The draft separates basic winery/brewery/distillery operations from a distinct Agritourism Operation (ATO) permit that would be required for facilities offering larger events or lodging. Story said two specific open questions remain in the draft: whether crops grown on-site must be used in products sold on the property, and what the minimum…