Ranching groups ask Yakima County to study permit exemptions for farm structures

Jack Field, speaking for the Yakima County Cattlemen’s Association and the Yakima County and Klickitat County Farm Associations, urged the Board of Yakima County Commissioners at the Aug. 13 work session to hold a public meeting to consider instituting building‑permit exemptions for certain agricultural structures. "He requested that the Board hold a public meeting about instituting building permit exemptions for certain agricultural structures," Field said.

Field said he expects such exemptions "will result in greater flexibility and efficiency for the ag industry in the midst of many financial and regulatory pressures." He told the board he had preliminary discussions with Yakima County Planning Official Tommy Carroll and suggested the county consult Clark County and Grays Harbor County about the exemptions those jurisdictions provide, noting other agencies such as the Building Codes Council and the Fire Marshal would likely be involved if the county pursued changes.

No county official announced a next step during the work session. The request was recorded during the public comment period; the board's clerk later reviewed the agenda for the next regular meeting (Aug. 18) and the commissioners made no changes. Any formal policy or code change would require follow‑up, interagency coordination and public meetings before adoption.