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Stephens County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code

ARTICLE V

- AI—AGRICULTURE INTENSIVE DISTRICT

Sec. 59-500.- Purpose and intent.

It is the intent of the agriculture intensive district to establish a means by which individuals and family-farm corporations involved in intensive, large-scale, farming operations can be provided protection. Food crop, fiber crop, poultry and livestock farms are a major component of the agricultural economic base in Stephens County and they are worthy of special protection. The use of land in this district may result in odors, noise, dust or other effects that may not be compatible with residential, commercial and industrial uses.

It is also the intent of this district to permit home business uses, which are related to, and/or compatible with, agricultural operations.

(Ord. No. 2024-17, 7-23-2024)

Sec. 59-501. - Permitted uses.

(a)

All permitted uses in the AG district are also permitted in the AI district.

(b)

Livestock and poultry operations provided they meet all district minimum requirements.

(Ord. No. 2024-17, 7-23-2024)

Sec. 59-502. - Conditional uses.

(a)

Home occupations and home-based businesses which: (1) are related to and/or compatible with agricultural uses and (2) meet the requirements of the regulations.

(b)

Secondary residences provided that such dwelling is farm-related and subordinate to the principal use of the property, and that the placement of such residence meets all criteria of these regulations and the Stephens County Subdivision Regulations.

(c)

Churches, temples, synagogues, places of worship and cemeteries.

(d)

Public structures and uses.

(e)

Golf courses.

(Ord. No. 2024-17, 7-23-2024)

Sec. 59-503. - District requirements.

(a) Tract size—Minimum  - 10 acres
(b) Tract width at R/W—Minimum - 200 feet
(c) Building height—Maximum - 50 feet
Front Side Rear
(d) Building setbacks—Min. Residence 40 feet 10 feet 10 feet
(e) Building setbacks—Min. Non-com. livestock 100 feet 100 feet 100 feet
(f) Building setbacks—Min. Broiler houses and layer houses 200 feet from property line
Regarding item (f), if there is a residential dwelling or manufactured home on a neighboring parcel, the poultry structure must be setback at least 500 feet from that residential dwelling or manufactured home, provided however that the rear exhaust end of the poultry house shall be setback at least 600 feet from the nearest residential dwelling or manufactured home. The appropriate setback to the nearest residential dwelling or manufactured home shall be calculated by map distance, not by linear feet. Additionally, any newly established poultry operation that abuts a residential district shall be subject to a 50-foot vegetated buffer from the adjoining property line extending along the entire portion of the property line abutting operations, plus 50 feet in each direction from any facility. The buffer shall consist of plants, shrubs, trees, or a berm, or a combination thereof, no less than 6 feet tall and dense enough to reasonably screen the agricultural use from any neighboring residentially-zoned parcel. Existing buffers may be utilized if they align with this requirement, provided however that additional buffering may be required should an existing buffer not conform to the stipulations laid out herein.
(g) Building setbacks—Min. from nearest house for commercial livestock
(Feed lots, dairy lots, hog lots) 500 feet from property line
(h) Poultry structures/stack houses 200 feet from property line
(i) Site specific nutrient management plan

 

(Ord. No. 2024-17, 7-23-2024; Res. No. 2025-03, 1-28-2025)

Sec. 59-504. - Special district requirements and protection.

Agricultural districts include uses of land primarily for active farming operations resulting in odors, noise, dust and other effects, which are not usually compatible with adjacent single family, multi-family and some commercial developments. Prior to administrative action on a land use rezoning for a district other than an agricultural district on any property adjacent to an AI district, the applicant shall certify through signature on the rezoning application that the applicant understands that an agricultural operation is adjacent to their proposed use, and that this operation will produce odors, noise, dust, and other effects which may not be compatible with the applicant's development. Nevertheless, understanding the effects of the adjacent AI district use, the applicant agrees by signing the rezoning application to waive any objection to those effects and understands that the proposed district rezoning may be approved based upon their agreement not to bring any action against local governments and adjoining landowners whose property is located in an AI district, by asserting that the adjacent uses in the AI district constitute a nuisance.

(Ord. No. 2024-17, 7-23-2024)