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Jefferson County adopts state-mandated agricultural protection ordinance
Summary
After a public hearing with no public commenters, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners approved Ordinance No. 2024‑20 to create an Agricultural Protection Area, establish an application commission and record 20‑year use restrictions on enrolled parcels.
The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance Nov. 18 to establish a county Agricultural Protection Area intended to preserve qualifying farmland from certain development pressures.
County staff said the ordinance was drafted to comply with state statute and must be in place by Jan. 1, 2025. "It's basically followed state statute directly," staff member Milton said while explaining the proposed chapter and application process. The ordinance creates a 3–5 member commission that will review applications and recommend parcels to the board, which will hold public hearings on each enrollment.
Under the ordinance, parcels must be at least five acres and have been actively farmed for at least three years to qualify. If the board approves an application, the county will record a restriction in the recorder’s office tying the property to agricultural use for 20 years; a hardship removal pathway exists but the earliest removal period is 10 years, officials said. Milton described the program as voluntary, noting it preserves development rights while limiting non‑agricultural use for the record term.
Commissioners discussed common questions during deliberations, including whether family members could build secondary residences or shops on enrolled property. Commissioners clarified that some modifications for family members are allowed but the application must spell out limits and potential hardship exceptions so landowners understand the long‑term implications.
Commissioner (unnamed in the transcript) moved to adopt Jefferson County Agricultural Protection Area Ordinance No. 2024‑20; Commissioner Clark seconded the motion, and a roll‑call vote approved the ordinance. No members of the public had signed up to speak for or against the proposal during the hearing.
The ordinance takes effect upon recording; county staff said they will advertise openings for the commission and begin accepting applications and the required commission appointments to implement the program.
