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ToolIssues AddressedConsiderationsExamples
Agricultural Zoning

There are various zoning techniques to help preserve agricultural land uses from growth pressures. One of the most common is the establishment of zoning districts with very large minimum lot size requirements (at least 20 acres) in order to strictly limit development density.
  • New development locating in areas that should not be developed - such as farmland or environmentally sensitive areas
  • No clear boundary, where town stops and countryside begins
  • Developers and landowners may oppose restrictions on development potential of their properties
  • Helps preserve rural character without stopping new development
  • May necessitate a controversial down-zoning in affected areas
  • May produce unattractive ""rural" sprawl if lot size minimums are not set large enough (preferably 20 to 25 acres or more)
  • Simple to administer for governments already having land use or development regulations in place
 Lumpkin County adopts land use management


Implementation Examples Outside Georgia


Agricultural Zoning


Guides For Implementing This Tool

Georgia Quality Growth Partnership
The Agricultural Zoning tool includes step-by-step guides for implementation, considerations about costs, administrative requirements, and example ordinances or similar materials that may be used for putting approaches into practice.
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/intra_nonpub/Toolkit/Guides/AgZng.pdf

Model Ordinances

Model Agricultural Zoning Ordinance - Lancaster County, Pensylvania
The Smart Communities Network website contains, "a collection of visioning, design, and planning tools to aid in planning sustainable communities."
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/OITDSShared/asp/NavDisclaimer.asp?Leaving=GQGP&GoToURL=http://www.sustainable.doe.gov/codes/agzon.shtml

Spokane County, Washington - Ordinance
Uses Permitted in Exclusive Agricultural, General Agricultural and Rural Settlement Zones in Spokane County, Wash.
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/OITDSShared/asp/NavDisclaimer.asp?Leaving=GQGP&GoToURL=http://www.farmlandinfo.org/fic/tas/apz-wa.html

Aids For Visualizing This Tool

No records available.

Georgia Implementation Examples

Lumpkin County, GA - Lumpkin County residents voted in the November election to pursue establishing local land use controls. The vote was due in large part to the leadership of Sole Commissioner Steve Gooch, as well as many residents who led and participated in citizen committee meetings and public forums over the past two years. These forums identified citizen concerns and examined the county’s options which include a traditional zoning approach or a more progressive method of establishing “compatibility” or “performance” standards to encourage mixed use development without sprawl. The citizens have identified preservation of Lumpkin County’s agricultural character and greenspace as a primary element of land use planning. The county contracted with Ross and Associates to help them achieve their land use management goals.

Implementation Examples Outside Georgia

No data available at this time. Check back for updates.

Other Resources


Includes general information on Agricultural Zoning as well as a secition on the legal challenges that might arise if this type of zoning is implemented.
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/OITDSShared/asp/NavDisclaimer.asp?Leaving=GQGP&GoToURL=http://www.dsl.psu.edu/centers/aglawpubs/zoning.cfm

American Farmland Trust - Farmland Information Center
The Agricultural Protection Zoning Fact Sheet outlines the history, functions, purposes, benefits, and drawbacks to this type of zoning.
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/OITDSShared/asp/NavDisclaimer.asp?Leaving=GQGP&GoToURL=http://www.farmlandinfo.org/fic/tas/tafs-apz.html

Montana Smart Growth Coalition
The Montana Smart Growth Coalition website provides a variety of links for further information on Agricultural Zoning.
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/OITDSShared/asp/NavDisclaimer.asp?Leaving=GQGP&GoToURL=http://www.mtsmartgrowth.org/smartplans.htm#Agricultural

Ohio State University Fact Sheet
The Ohio State University Community Development Department agricultural zoning fact sheet gives a brief history on zoning in general and describes and answers questions specific to agricultural zoning. The fact sheet explains how agricultural zoning works, as well as mentioning some of its advantages and disadvantages. There are also suggested readings listed if you are interested in learning more about agricultural zoning.
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/OITDSShared/asp/NavDisclaimer.asp?Leaving=GQGP&GoToURL=http://ohioline.osu.edu/cd-fact/1266.html

Pace Law School - Land Use Law Center, Agricultural Zoning - SERIES III: Innovative Tools and Techniques, Issue Number 9
This report defines agricultural zoning, it's purpose, when to use this type of zoning, implementation tips, and limitations and concerns with agricultural zoning.
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/OITDSShared/asp/NavDisclaimer.asp?Leaving=GQGP&GoToURL=http://www.law.pace.edu/landuse/bagzon.html

Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences - Land Preservation Effective Agricultural Zoning
Provides information on how to effectively use agricultural zoning and describes several agricultural zoning techniques to protect of preserve farmland.
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/OITDSShared/asp/NavDisclaimer.asp?Leaving=GQGP&GoToURL=http://berks.extension.psu.edu/Agriculture/EffAgZoning.html



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