Chapter 23.14
AGRICULTURAL ZONING DISTRICTS

Sections:

23.14.010    Purpose of agricultural use districts.

23.14.020    Agricultural performance standards and special requirements.

23.14.030    Agricultural use districts permitted land uses.

23.14.040    Site requirements for agricultural use districts.

23.14.050    Parking standards for agriculture use districts.

23.14.010 Purpose of agricultural use districts.

A. The agricultural use district (AG) is a primary zone classification permitting essentially open land uses such as grazing lands or pasture, agriculture, and development of part-time small tract farming and other compatible uses of an open nature such as a cemetery, park, and recreational or similar uses on land which has favorable combinations of slope, climate, availability of water, or soil conditions. This zoning classification is intended to be applied to some portions of the city that are designated as agriculture or as urban reserve under the city of Richland comprehensive plan.

B. The suburban agricultural use district (SAG) is a zone classification providing for residential areas, rural in nature, with sufficiently large lots to allow for the maintenance of certain animals and farm crops, while at the same time establishing and maintaining a living environment of high standards for residential uses. This zoning classification is intended to be applied to some portions of the city that are designated low-density residential (zero to five dwellings per acre) under the city of Richland comprehensive plan. [Ord. 28-05 § 1.02].

23.14.020 Agricultural performance standards and special requirements.

A. The following standards relate to the raising and keeping of livestock in an AG district:

1. A permitted structure, pen or building in which livestock is kept shall be located not less than 25 feet from any lot line and not less than 40 feet from any one-family dwelling;

2. A pasture, including perimeter fencing, shall be located not less than 15 feet from any one-family dwelling located on the same lot;

3. Uses, structures and buildings shall comply with the applicable yard and area requirements of RMC 23.38.010 through 23.38.090.

B. The following standards relate to the agricultural activities permitted in the SAG district:

1. Limited agricultural uses such as orchards, vineyards, vegetable gardens, field crops and pastures;

2. Sale of products grown on the premises;

3. Limited raising or keeping of large livestock as follows:

a. Horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, burros, and similar animals;

b. Dairy cattle, beef cattle, buffalo and similar animals;

c. Sheep, goats, and similar animals;

d. A maximum of two animal units (one animal unit equals approximately 1,000 pounds of animal weight) may be kept per one acre gross pasture area. Gross pasture area is that portion of a lot which is fenced and used solely for the grazing and keeping of large livestock. The following are examples of animal unit usages:

i. One horse and one cow per gross pasture acre;

ii. Two cows or two horses per gross pasture acre;

iii. Ten sheep or 10 goats per gross pasture acre;

iv. Eight sheep and two goats per gross pasture acre;

e. If any additional animal(s) born on the premises causes the maximum allowable number of animals to be exceeded, adjustments must be made to bring the total number of animals into compliance with this chapter within the corresponding time limits specified below:

i. Horses and similar animals: one year from date of birth;

ii. Cattle and similar animals: one year from date of birth;

iii. Sheep, goats, and similar animals: six months from date of birth;

f. If any additional animal(s) are acquired by any means other than by birth, and cause the maximum allowable number of animals to be exceeded, adjustments must be made to bring the total number of animals into compliance with this chapter within 90 days after placement of the additional animal(s) on the premises. In addition, a fence must be constructed prior to the acquisition of any large livestock to ensure containment of the livestock on the premises;

4. Limited raising or keeping of small livestock as follows:

a. Rabbits and similar animals;

b. Chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other similar fowl.

A maximum of 12 animals or fowl, as defined above, may be raised or kept per one acre gross lot area.

In addition, a shed, coop, hutch, or similar containment structure must be constructed prior to the acquisition of any small livestock to ensure containment of the livestock on the premises.

Standings under roofed stable must be made of material and which provides for proper drainage so as not to create offensive odors, fly or insect breeding, or other nuisances.

Manure must be collected at least once a week and shall be disposed of in one or more of the following manners:

i. Placement of manure in a fly-proof container with periodic removal of manure from the lot;

ii. Adequate burying of the manure;

iii. Removal of manure from the lot.

Fences, pens, corrals or similar enclosures must be of sufficient height and strength to retain animals.

Any structures used for the keeping of livestock shall be set back a minimum of 50 feet from any property line. [Ord. 28-05 § 1.02].

23.14.030 Agricultural use districts permitted land uses.

In the following chart, land use classifications are listed on the vertical axis. Zoning districts are listed on the horizontal axis.

A. If the symbol “P” appears in the box at the intersection of the column and row, the use is permitted, subject to the general requirements and performance standards required in that zoning district.

B. If the symbol “S” appears in the box at the intersection of the column and row, the use is permitted subject to the special use permit provisions contained in Chapter 23.46 RMC.

C. If the symbol “A” appears in the box at the intersection of the column and the row, the use is permitted as an accessory use, subject to the general requirements and performance standards required in the zoning district.

D. If a number appears in the box at the intersection of the column and the row, the use is subject to the general conditions and special provisions indicated in the corresponding note.

E. If no symbol appears in the box at the intersection of the column and the row, the use is prohibited in that zoning district.

Land Use

AG

SAG

Agriculture

Agricultural Use

P

P

Business and Personal Services

Animal Shelter

S1

 

Commercial Kennel

S1

 

Hospital Clinic – Large Animal

S1

 

Hospital Clinic – Small Animal

S1

 

Industrial Uses

Excavating, Processing, Removal of Topsoils, Sand, Gravel, Rock or Similar Natural Deposits

S2

 

Public Uses

Churches

P3

P3

Clubs or Fraternal Societies

P3

P3

Cultural Institutions

P3

P3

General Park Maintenance and Operations

P

P

Golf Courses

P

P

Passive Open Space Uses

P

P

Power Transmission and Irrigation Wasteway Easements and Utility Uses

P4

P4

Public Agency Buildings

P4

P4

Public Agency Facilities

P4

P4

Public Parks

P

P

Schools

P5

P5

Special Events Including Concerts, Tournaments, and Competitions, Fairs, Festivals and Similar Public Gatherings

P

P

Trail Head Facilities

P

P

Trail for Equestrian, Pedestrian or Nonmotorized Vehicle Use

P

P

Recreational Uses

Commercial Recreation, Outdoor

S6

 

Recreational Vehicle Campgrounds

S7

 

Stable, Public

S8

 

Retail Uses

Landscaping Material Sales

S9

 

Nursery, Plant

S9

 

Parking Lot

A

A

Residential Uses

Accessory Apartments

A10

A10

Adult Family Home

P

P

Bed and Breakfast

S11

S11

Day Care Center

S12

S12

Designated Manufactured Home

P13

P13

Dwelling, One-Family Detached

P13

P13

Family Day Care Home

A12

A12

Home Occupations

A14

A14

Permanent Supportive Housing

P13

P13

Private Swimming Pools

A15

A15

Recreational Club

P16

P16

Rental of Rooms to Not More Than Four Persons Other Than the Family Occupying the Single-Family Dwelling

A

A

Transitional Housing

P13

P13

Miscellaneous Uses

Cemetery

P

 

Macro-Antennas

P

P

Raising Crops, Trees or Vineyards

P

P

1.    RMC 23.42.040

2.    RMC 23.42.070

3.    RMC 23.42.050

4.    RMC 23.42.200

5.    RMC 23.42.250

6.    RMC 23.42.175

7.    RMC 23.42.230

8.    RMC 23.42.190

9.    RMC 23.42.105

10.    RMC 23.42.020

11.    RMC 23.42.045

12.    RMC 23.42.080

13.    RMC 23.18.025

14.    RMC 23.42.090

15.    RMC 23.42.300

16.    RMC 23.42.210

[Ord. 28-05 § 1.02; amended during 2011 recodification; Ord. 07-19 § 4; Ord. 2022-19 § 2].

23.14.040 Site requirements for agricultural use districts.

In the following chart, development standards are listed on the vertical axis. Zoning districts are listed on the horizontal axis. If a number appears in the box at the intersection of the column and row, that number represents the dimensional standard that applies to that zoning district.

Standard

AG

SAG

Minimum Lot Area Requirement

5 acres

43,560 square ft.

Minimum Lot Width

None

145 feet

Minimum Lot Depth

None

145 feet

Minimum Street Frontage

None

40 feet

Minimum Front Yard Setback

25 feet

20 feet

Minimum Side Yard Setback

10 feet

10 feet

Minimum Rear Yard Setback

25 feet

25 feet1

Maximum Lot Coverage2

None

20%

Maximum Building Height – Main Building

30 feet

30 feet

Maximum Building Height – Accessory Buildings

24 feet

24 feet

1.    Main structures shall be set back a minimum of 25 feet and accessory structures shall meet the requirements of RMC 23.38.020 except that structures intended for the keeping of livestock shall meet the setback requirements of 50 feet as established in RMC 23.14.020(B)(4)(iii).

2.    Lot coverage includes all buildings, including accessory buildings or structures on any lot in a residential district, exclusive of patios without roof coverings or patios with only open lattice or similar type roof construction.

[Ord. 28-05 § 1.02; Ord. 04-09; amended during 2011 recodification].

23.14.050 Parking standards for agriculture use districts.

Off-street parking space shall be provided in all agricultural zones in compliance with the requirements of Chapter 23.54 RMC. [Ord. 28-05 § 1.02].