Freedom Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE V
Agricultural District AG
§ 230-13 Intended purpose.
The regulations for this district are intended to protect and stabilize the Township's agricultural economy by eliminating uses that are incompatible with farming, promoting agricultural support businesses, and permitting limited residential development.
§ 230-14 Uses permitted by right.
A.
Agricultural uses and buildings, including farm dwellings.
B.
Farm-related occupations, in accordance with § 230-62A(21).
C.
Forestry.
D.
Municipal facility.
E.
No-impact home-based business, in accordance with § 230-62A(38).
F.
Single-family detached dwellings.
G.
Uses and buildings customarily accessory and incidental to any permitted use.
§ 230-15 Permitted accessory uses.
A.
Accessory apartments, in accordance with § 230-62A(1).
B.
Farm market, in accordance with § 230-62A(20).
C.
Farm stand.
E.
Wireless communications facility — co-location — inside public right-of-way, in accordance with § 230-62A(57).
F.
Wireless communications facility — co-location — outside public right-of-way, in accordance with § 230-62A(58).
§ 230-16 Permitted conditional uses.
A.
Agribusinesses, in accordance with § 230-62A(3).
B.
Agricultural tourism operation, in accordance with § 230-62A(4).
C.
Animal hospital, in accordance with § 230-62A(5).
D.
Bed-and-breakfast establishments, in accordance with § 230-62A(8).
E.
Cemeteries, in accordance with § 230-62A(12).
F.
Cottage industry, in accordance with § 230-62A(18).
G.
Farm worker housing, in accordance with § 230-62A(22).
H.
Home occupation, in accordance with § 230-62A(28).
I.
Kennels, in accordance with § 230-62A(32).
J.
Places of worship, in accordance with § 230-62A(40).
K.
Public utility facility, in accordance with § 230-62A(41).
L.
Solar farm, in accordance with § 230-62A(48).
M.
Tasting room/winery/cidery/brewery/distillery, either as a principal use or as an accessory to a farm or agricultural use, in accordance with § 230-62A(51).
N.
Wireless communications facility - tower-based - inside public right-of-way, in accordance with § 230-62A(57).
O.
Wireless communications facility - tower-based - outside public right-of-way, in accordance with § 230-62A(58).
§ 230-17 Density and dimensional regulations.
A.
Number of dwelling units and lots.
(1)
In order to preserve agricultural tracts, it is the expressed intent of this provision that the subdivision of lots from farms for the development of nonagricultural uses and structures on existing farms shall be limited. In addition, it is the expressed intent of this article that the maximum size of lots created for any use other than agriculture shall be limited in order to provide for the retention of tracts of sufficient size to be used for agricultural purposes.
(2)
The maximum number of lots which may be created from a parcel of land for nonagricultural purposes shall be based on the acres of contiguous land held in single and separate ownership (parent tract) as of the adoption of this chapter. The following scale shall be used to determine the permissible subdivision:
Size of Parcel (acres) | Permitted Number of dwellings/Lots |
|---|---|
0 to 4.99 | 1 |
5 to 14.99 | 2 |
15 to 24.99 | 3 |
25 to 39.99 | 4 |
40 to 59.99 | 5 |
60 to 79.99 | 6 |
80 to 99.99 | 7 |
Over 100 | 8 plus 1 dwelling for every 25 acres over 100 |
(3)
The existing dwelling unit of the parent tract shall not be included in the calculation of any future subdivision capabilities defined in the above scale.
(4)
A subdivision to create a lot which will be transferred to the Township, a municipal authority created by the Township, or other governmental entity shall not be included when computing the permissible number of lots to be subdivided from a tract.
B.
Lot regulations:
(1)
Agricultural uses and buildings including farm dwellings: minimum lot area shall be 10 acres.
(2)
Single-family detached dwelling (nonagricultural). Minimum lot area is one acre with maximum of three acres. However, the lot area may need to be increased if, after completing soil testing and any hydrogeologic studies required by the Township and/or DEP, a larger lot area is required to accommodate an individual on-lot sewage disposal system.
(3)
All other nonagricultural uses. Lot area shall be based upon required setbacks, impervious coverage, parking and loading/unloading area standards, but in no instance shall be less than one acre nor greater than three acres. However, the maximum lot area may be increased if, after completing soil testing and any hydrogeologic studies required by the Township and/or DEP, a larger lot area is required to accommodate an individual on-lot sewage disposal.
(4)
The minimum lot width of all uses shall not be less than 150 feet at the minimum building setback line and 50 feet at the dedicated right-of-way.
(5)
Impervious coverage shall not exceed 10%.
E.
Placement regulations:
(1)
All uses shall be located on nonprime farmland (Soil Capability Classes III through VIII), when such land is available; or on lands which cannot feasibly be farmed, due to existing features of the site, such as rock outcropping, or that the size or shape of the area suitable for farming is insufficient to permit the efficient use of farm machinery.