The intent of the rural agricultural district is to preserve suitable lands for continued agricultural use, prevent random conversion of agricultural land to urban uses, and provide the basis for property tax assessments which reflect existing and continued agricultural use of the land. Planned development may be permitted as a means to achieve the basic intent of this district in accordance with the guidelines in section 27.04.

A.

Principal uses and structures. In all areas zoned RA, rural agricultural, no building or part of a building shall be erected, used, or structurally altered, nor shall the land or premises be used in whole or in part, except for one or more of the following principal permitted uses:

1.

Single-family dwellings or single-family farm dwelling for the farm operator or farm owner, provided that not more than one dwelling unit shall be permitted on each 40-acre lot (minimum lot area); except that farm dwellings existing on the effective date of this ordinance and related farm structures remaining after farm consolidation may be separated from the overall farm lot, provided that the parcel created with the structures shall not be less than two acres in size.

2.

General and specialized farming and agricultural activities, including the raising or growing of crops, livestock, poultry, bees, and other farm animals, farm products, and foodstuffs, including activities related to the definition of "farm" as stated in section 1.03.

3.

Farm buildings, as defined in article [section] 1.03.

4.

Idle cropland, provided that such land is maintained so as to prevent the erosion of soil by wind or water.

5.

Raising or growing of plants, trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, including any buildings or structures used for such activities or for the storage of equipment and materials necessary for such activities.

6.

The sale of retail produce, plants, trees, shrubs, and firewood when such retail activity is conducted in conjunction with an additional farm-related use permitted in this section, and when such retail activity is clearly incidental to the principal use on the property. A substantial portion of the products offered for sale must have been raised or produced on the same premises by the proprietor. Where applicable, such retail sales activity shall be subject to the provisions concerning roadside stands (section 6.02, subsection V) and open air businesses (section 6.02, subsection Q).

7.

The growing, stripping, and removal of sod, provided that all stripped land shall be reseeded by fall of the year in which it was stripped so as to prevent the erosion of soil by wind or water.

8.

Roadside stands for the display and sale of produce in accordance with section 6.02, subsection V.

9.

Private kennels, subject to the provisions in section 6.02, subsection K.

10.

Private stables, subject to the provisions in section 6.02, subsection X.

11.

Class A mobile homes, subject to the provisions in section 2.05, subsection B.

12.

Uses and structures accessory to the above, subject to the provisions in section 2.03.

B.

Special land uses. The following uses may be permitted by the township board, subject to the conditions specified for each use; review and approval of the site plan and application by the planning commission and township board; the imposition of special conditions which, in the opinion of the planning commission or township board, are necessary to fulfill the purposes of this ordinance; and, the provisions set forth in section 27.03.

1.

Accessory apartments, as defined in section 1.03, subject to the following conditions:

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Minimum lot size: Two acres.

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Design characteristics: The design of the accessory apartment shall not detract from the single-family character and appearance of the principal residence or the surrounding neighborhood.

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Floor area: The accessory apartment shall be clearly incidental to the principal residence on the parcel. Accordingly, the total floor area of the accessory apartment shall not exceed 600 square feet.

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Parking: In addition to the parking required for the principal residence, one additional off-street parking space shall be provided for the accessory apartment.

2.

A guesthouse, as defined in section 1.03.

3.

Cemeteries on parcels ten acres or larger, except that pet cemeteries may be established on parcels six acres or larger.

4.

Public or private golf courses, subject to the provisions in section 6.02, subsection I.

5.

Feedlots and similar operations involving the concentrated feeding of farm animals within a confined area, subject to the following:

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Any portion of a parcel used for raising of fowl or operating of a hatchery shall be located a minimum of 1,000 feet from any other parcel zoned for residential use. The killing and dressing of fowl are permitted, provided that all such activity is conducted within a fully enclosed building and that all waste parts and offal are immediately disposed of in a proper manner. No outdoor storage of offal shall be permitted.

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Any pen, corral, or structure used as a feedlot where farm animals are kept shall be located a minimum of 1,000 feet from any other parcel zoned for residential use. All feedlots shall be located a minimum of 150 feet from any residence on adjacent property.

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The owner of any animal feedlot shall be responsible for the storage, transportation and disposal of all animal manure generated in a manner consistent with the provisions which follow.

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All manure from confinement manure storage pits or holding areas, when removed, shall be incorporated, knifed in, or disposed of in a reasonable manner, taking into account the season of the year and wind direction. Each feedlot shall have sufficient area to permit proper incorporation or disposal of manure.

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No animal manure shall be disposed of within the right-of-way of any public road or street.

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All vehicles used to transport animal manure on roads shall be leakproof.

6.

Essential services, subject to the provisions in section 2.16, subsection A.

7.

Agricultural sales and service establishments when located adjacent to a major thoroughfare with a right-of-way of 204 feet or greater, and provided further that such establishments are engaged primarily in the performance of agricultural, animal husbandry, or horticultural services on a fee or contract basis, including any of the following services: corn shelling; hay baling and thrashing; sorting, grading, and packing of fruits and vegetables for growers; agricultural product storage; milling and processing; crop dusting; fruit picking; grain cleaning; land grading; harvesting and plowing; farm equipment sales and service; and veterinary services.

8.

Retail sales of unprocessed agricultural products by farmers/growers in a central marketing facility.

9.

Commercial kennels, subject to the provisions in section 6.02, subsection K.

10.

Commercial stables and riding academies, subject to the provisions in section 6.02, subsection X.

11.

Gardens, and buildings for storage of gardening equipment on parcels where no principal residential use has been established, provided that the following conditions are met:

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Such facilities shall be for the private use of the owner of the property only.

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Buildings or structures shall be maintained in good condition and shall be monitored at least once per week.

12.

Private outdoor recreation uses, such as archery ranges, baseball, football or soccer fields, motorcross (BMX) tracks, court sports facilities, golf driving ranges, swimming pools, and similar outdoor recreation uses, subject to the provisions in section 6.02, subsection R.

13.

Bed and breakfast establishments, subject to provisions in section 6.02, subsection D.1.

(Amend. of 10-20-2009)

A.

Site plan review. Site plan review and approval is required for all special land uses specified in section 9.02.B in the RA district. Further, site plan review and approval will be required for all uses permitted under section 9.02.A.6. It is the intention of these requirements to permit normal agriculture activities to occur without the need for site plan review or approval.

B.

Area, height, bulk, and placement requirements. Buildings and uses in the rural agricultural district are subject to the area, height, bulk, and placement requirements in article 26.00, Schedule of Regulations.

C.

Planned development. Planned development may be permitted in the rural agricultural district, subject to the standards and approval requirements set forth in section 27.04.

D.

General development standards. Buildings and uses in the rural agricultural district shall be subject to all applicable standards and requirements set forth in this ordinance, as specified below and more generally in section 8.06.