Cumberland revises agritourism policy; planning director says most farms remain exempt

The Cumberland County planning director told the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 25 that an internal agritourism policy adopted June 30 will guide whether farm-based activities need local permits and when the county can step in. The policy, Stephanie Johnson said, is intended to implement Virginia law while giving staff objective factors to determine when an agritourism activity may cause a “substantial impact” to health, safety or the general welfare and therefore require local review. The memo and subsequent discussion matter because several farms in the county host music and other public events, and owners and board members said they do not want the policy applied in a way that would shut down or over-regulate successful local businesses. Johnson said the policy clarifies that typical farm operations remain exempt and that secondary uses such as on-site sales of farm products generally support the exemption. She said most events that occur at agritourism venues will not automatically require a festival or conditional-use permit but that amplified music is explicitly identified by state code as a non-agritourism activity the county may regulate if it produces a substantial impact. Board members and residents raised concerns about ambiguous language in the policy that allows staff to require an event permit for “large events.” Several asked for a numeric or procedural definition so decisions are not left to inconsistent interpretation by future staff. Johnson said she would revise the section and encouraged supervisors and members of the public to submit written comments; she also proposed taking the draft to the countyEDA/new business task force for additional feedback. No formal board action was required at the meeting; staff listed the policy as an informational item and asked supervisors to review and return comments. Board member comment and public testimony focused on Spruceberry Farm, a local agritourism business referenced repeatedly in public remarks. Supervisors noted SpruceberryFarm has operated with live music and fundraising in the past and said the county does not intend to penalize businesses that comply with state definitions and county ordinances. The planning director invited property owners who are unsure whether an activity requires a permit to call her office for case-by-case guidance. Looking ahead, Johnson and staff said they will: 1) propose clarified language about what constitutes a “large event,” 2) accept written comments from supervisors and the public, and 3) bring a revised internal policy back to the board for further consideration.