AgritourismProposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment

Sara Morgan

Senior Planner

South County Federation Land Use Committee

July 28, 2020

Announcement

•Country Inn has been removed from the Amendment

•Modified the definitions of agricultural operation andagritourism

•Revised the approach to regulating seasonal festivalsand special events

•Blue callout boxes have been added to draw attentionto changes

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Agricultural Operation

Any operation that is devoted to the bona fideproduction and harvesting of agriculturalproducts, including livestock, dairy, aquaculture,poultry, horticultural, floricultural, viticultural,and silvicultural products. An agriculturaloperation may also include the operation ofagritourism uses as accessory uses. A gardencenter, commercial stockyard/feed lot,landscape contracting service, or the above-ground application or storage of sewage sludgeare not agricultural operations.

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Photo from Whitehall Farms:https://www.whitehall.farm/field-trips.html

Updated the proposeddefinition of

Agricultural Operationhas been made toreflect state code

provisions. SeeStrawman Overview.

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What is Agritourism?Any activity accessory to an agriculturaloperation that allows members of thegeneral public, for recreational,entertainment, or educational purposes,to view or enjoy rural activities, includingfarming, historical, cultural, horsebackriding, harvest-your-own, or naturalactivities and attractions, regardless ofwhether the participant paid toparticipate in the activity. Agritourismactivities may be permitted at a FARMWINERY, LIMITED BREWERY and LIMITEDDISTILLERY.

Photo from Cox Farms:https://coxfarms.com/about/events-calendar/

Updated the proposeddefinition of Agritourismhas been made to reflect

state code provisions,including the inclusion of

horseback riding. SeeStrawman Overview.

Agritourism: Activities

• Farm tours, including educational programs, workshops, ordemonstrations related to agriculture

• Harvest-your-own activities

• Walking, equestrian trails, and other similar passiverecreational activities

• Seasonal Festivals

• Special Events such as weddings and corporate events

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This list has not been modified since theFebruary 2020 Strawman Overview.

Previous Approach for regulatingSeasonal Festivals and Special Events

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New Approach for regulatingAll Agritourism Uses

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Tier Acreage Total Attendees per Day [Advertised Range]

Tier 1 5 up to 10 [50 – 150]

Tier 2 10 up to 20 [100 – 200]

Tier 3 20 up to 80 [250 – 350]

Tier 4 80 or more[300 – 350]; however, more than [300 – 350] attendees are

permitted per day for not more than [100 – 120] days

Modified approach is reflected in this table.

and R-1 parcels of 20 acres or more

Related Changes

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Farm Worker Housing

• Currently, quarters of a tenant farmer and his family arepermitted as an accessory use in the R-A through R-E Districts ona parcel of 20 acres or more

• Propose to clarify these provisions by permitting more than onestructure for these accommodations

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R-A, Rural Agricultural District

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• The purpose of the district is for theraising of livestock and/or farming

• Single family detached dwellings areintended to be accessory to theagricultural use

• Propose to revise the Purpose andIntent to permit single familydetached dwellings as a by-right use

R-1, Residential District: Agriculture

• Agriculture is permitted by-right and requires 5 acres perdefinition

• Concern over the compatibilityof agritourism and single-familydetached dwellings

• Propose to increase theminimum acreage required toestablish an agricultural use to10 acres

Photo from Cox Farms: https://coxfarms.com/fall-festival/festival-attractions/

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Staff is continuing to solicit feedbackto determine whether the proposalis appropriate.

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acres

Bed & Breakfasts

Permitted by-right instead of a requiring a specialexception when located in/on:

• R-A through R-1 Districts• A parcel of 20 acres or more• A single family detached dwelling

Additional use limitations pertaining to parking andrestriction of events hosted on-site would beapplicable

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Visit theAgritourism webpage:

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/zoning-ordinance/agritourism

Webpage

Discussion

•Are you comfortable with the tiered approach toregulating all agritourism activities by acreage andnumber of attendees?

•General feedback

•Questions?

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Agritourism: All Agritourism Uses

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Tier Acreage Total Attendees per Day [Advertised Range]

Tier 1 5 up to 10 [50 – 150]

Tier 2 10 up to 20 [100 – 200]

Tier 3 20 up to 80 [250 – 350]

Tier 4 80 or more[300 – 350]; however, more than [300 – 350] attendees are

permitted per day for not more than [100 – 120] days

Modified approach is reflected in this table.

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Forestal Districts