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Committee approves code change to allow small on-site farm stands
Summary
The Business and Economic Development Committee voted to define and allow small on-site farm stands (200 sq ft or less), exempt them from land-development permitting, require a 10-foot clearance from the right-of-way, and restrict sales to crops grown on-site; value-added products were excluded from this draft due to licensing and liability concerns.
The Business and Economic Development Committee voted unanimously to approve a zoning amendment that creates a defined accessory "farm stand" use for small-scale producers.
Planning Officer Anya Collette told the committee the proposal would allow farm stands no larger than 200 square feet, exempt them from land-development permitting (though building permits may still be required), permit placement in the front setback when at least 10 feet from the right-of-way, and allow the use in the RNA (residential neighborhoods), the Neighborhood Service District and the Urban Service District. "We would be exempting them from land development permitting," Collette said.
Collette said stands would be limited to selling crops grown on the site rather than goods sourced elsewhere, distinguishing the new accessory use from larger farm-sale allowances. Committee members raised concerns about non-food crops (including hemp), traffic and whether value-added products such as jams, honey or beer derived from locally grown hops should be permitted. "Cannabis is the main thing because it has its own set of regulations," Collette said. Staff and a staff member identified as Jennifer cautioned that many value-added foods require state licensure and commercial-kitchen inspections and that liability and insurance are considerations for processed foods.
After discussion, the committee removed value-added items from the current draft and moved to adopt the amendment. The motion was made, seconded by Councilor Mallard and approved on a roll-call vote with recorded ‘yes’ votes from Councilors Falloon, Fish, Carson, Mallard and Chair Leonard.
The change is intended to lower permitting barriers for small-scale, on-site agricultural sales while limiting potential neighborhood and public-health impacts through size limits, on-site production requirements and adherence to state food-safety rules for any value-added products if pursued later.
What’s next: The committee forwarded the amendment as approved; any required subsequent council-level steps or effective dates were not specified in the meeting record.
