It is intended that agriculture be the primary use in this district and that other uses be sited so as to minimize their impact on, or conflicts with, surrounding agricultural uses. This district is not intended to preclude farming in other areas of the county. The purpose of this district is to:

1.

Conserve agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance used for the production of crops, livestock, or other agricultural products;

2.

Protect agricultural lands from incompatible development;

3.

Encourage the continued economic viability of agriculture;

4.

Encourage property owners to maintain property in agriculture uses; and

5.

Promote and protect agriculture and its dependent rural community through the enhancement, protection, and perpetuation of the ability of the private sector to produce food and fiber.

(Ord. 11398 § 3 (part), 1997: Ord. 10398 § 3 (part), 1993)

Subject to the provisions of this title, the following uses are permitted within this district:

1.

Agriculture.

2.

Agricultural accessory uses.

3.

Agricultural composting.

4.

Agricultural services.

5.

Animal production, boarding, and slaughtering.

6.

Aquaculture, fish processing, and hatcheries.

7.

Farm housing accessory to a farm residence to accommodate agricultural workers and their families employed on the premises, as provided:

a.

For legal lots between five and nineteen and ninety-nine hundredths acres in size, as of the effective date of this chapter, one farm housing unit is permitted.

b.

For legal lots between twenty and thirty-nine and ninety-nine hundredths acres in size, two farm housing units are permitted.

c.

For legal lots between forty and fifty-nine and ninety-nine hundredths acres in size, three farm housing units are permitted.

d.

For legal lots between sixty and seventy-nine and ninety-nine hundredths acres in size, four farm housing units are permitted.

e.

For legal lots eighty acres or larger in size, additional farm housing units are permitted based on the same formula, subject to approval of a special use permit.

f.

These housing units may only be leased, sold or subdivided subject to the density provision of Section 20.08A.040(1); otherwise, the maximum density provisions of Section 20.08A.020(5)(a) through (e) apply to farm housing units.

g.

The sewage disposal and water supply shall be approved by the environmental health department.

8.

Farm kitchen.

9.

Farm stand not exceeding four hundred square feet in size

10.

Forest practices.

11.

Mobile slaughter unit.

12.

Nurseries/greenhouses wholesale.

13.

Single-family and farm residences, in accordance with Sections 20.08A.035, 20.08A.040, and 20.08.045 (limited to one primary residential structure per lot, not including farm housing).

(Ord. 11804 § 42, 1998; Ord. 11398 § 3 (part), 1998: Ord. 10398 § 3 (part), 1993)

(Ord. No. 14678, § 2, 11-15-2011; Ord. No. 14773, § 7(Att. F), 7-24-2012; Ord. No. 16370, § 2(Att. B, § II), 2-20-2024)

Subject to the provisions of this title, the following uses are permitted on lands with nonprime farmland soils. Up to one acre of prime farmland soils can be converted to accommodate a secondary use if nonprime farmland soils are not present on the property or cannot be readily accessed without adversely impacting the primary agricultural use, or if there are other site constraints.

1.

Agricultural crop production facility.

2.

Agricultural supply sales.

3.

Biochar production facility, commercial.

4.

Home-based industry in accordance with the special use specific standards set forth in Section 20.54.070(15)

5.

Nurseries/greenhouses retail.

6.

Renewable energy facilities.

7.

Stockyard.

(Ord. No. 16370, § 2(Att. B, § II), 2-20-2024)

1.

Special uses shall only be permitted on nonprime farmland soils. Up to one acre of prime farmland soils can be converted to accommodate a secondary use if nonprime farmland soils are not present on the property or cannot be readily accessed without adversely impacting the primary agricultural use, or if there are other site constraints.

2.

See Chapter 20.54 for special uses permitted in this district.

(Ord. 11398 § 3 (part), 1997: Ord. 10398 § 3 (part), 1993)

(Ord. No. 16370, § 2(Att. B, § II), 2-20-2024)

1.

In addition to the maximum number of dwelling units, excluding farm housing units, permitted on a lot, one temporary mobile/manufactured home or modular home may be located upon a lot for the purpose of housing a person or persons who are family members to a person residing in an existing structure on the lot when application for family unit approval is requested. A person is a family member when related by blood, marriage or adoption.

2.

Persons wishing to establish a family member unit shall furnish proof of family member status and shall receive written approval to establish such unit from the department before locating or constructing the unit.

3.

Dwelling units placed on a lot pursuant to this section shall be removed when the family member no longer occupies the family member unit.

4.

Dwelling units which are located pursuant to this section shall be removed prior to sale of the property, unless the purchaser provides a letter to the county stating the family member unit will be occupied by a family member.

5.

A family member unit must have an approved sewage disposal system, adequate water source and all other applicable permits.

(Ord. 11804 § 43, 1998; Ord. 11398 § (part), 1997: Ord. 10595 § 10, 1994: Ord. 10398 § 3 (part), 1993)

(Ord. No. 14773, § 10(Att. I), 7-24-2012)

Any division of land within this district shall comply with the following requirements:

1.

The director or hearing examiner shall find that the proposed subdivision meets the purpose and intent of the long-term agriculture district as a prerequisite to approval.

2.

Land may be subdivided for agricultural uses, subject to the following requirements:

a.

Only primary and secondary uses are permitted on lots created pursuant to this section as long as the lots are within this district.

b.

Minimum lot size is twenty acres for a single-family or farm residence; with no dwelling unit, minimum lot size is five acres.

c.

All divisions of land approved pursuant to this section shall contain a notice of the restriction described in Section 20.08A.035(2)(a) and (b).

3.

Land may be subdivided for nonagricultural uses subject to the following requirements:

a.

The subdivision shall meet the standards established in Chapter 20.30A, Planned Rural Residential Development, to the extent consistent with this chapter. Where the requirements in Chapter 20.30A conflict with the requirements of this chapter, the more restrictive standards shall apply.

b.

There shall be no minimum lot size for nonagricultural-use lots. The lot size must meet the requirements of the Thurston County Sanitary Code to safely accommodate an approved water supply and on-site sewage disposal system, including space for a reserve drainfield.

(Ord. 11398 § 3 (part), 1997: Ord. 10398 § 3 (part), 1993)

(Ord. No. 14773, § 10(Att. I), 7-24-2012; Ord. No. 16370, § 2(Att. B, § II), 2-20-2024)

The following standards are established as the minimum necessary to ensure that the purpose of this district is achieved and maintained as new lots are created, new uses are established, and new buildings are constructed:

1.

Building Type and Size:

a.

New non-residential uses in structure(s) that include less than twenty thousand square feet shall be subject to an administrative site plan review process (Section 20.60 TCC).

b.

New non-residential uses in structure(s) that include more than twenty thousand square feet shall be subject to a special use permit process (Section 20.54 TCC).

c.

New non-residential uses may be located within an existing, nonconforming structure that does not meet the minimum lot size or setback requirements if the director determines the use and all related appurtenances can be accommodated on site.

2.

Maximum Building Height: thirty-five feet (also see Chapter 20.07.080 for agricultural structures excluded from maximum height regulations).

3.

Minimum Yard Requirements:

a.

Single-Family Residential.

i.

Front yard—see Chapter 20.07;

ii.

Side yard—fifteen feet;

iii.

Rear yard—twenty-five feet;

b.

Single-family residential on lots created in accordance with the planned rural residential development chapter: see Chapter 20.30A,

c.

All other commercial, industrial and non-residential structures: see Chapters 20.07 and 20.54.

4.

Maximum Coverage by Hard Surfaces. Maximum hard surface coverage for new development in this district is as follows (also see Chapter 20.07):

a.

Lots one and one-half acres or greater: Fifteen percent.

b.

Lots less than one and one-half acres: Sixty percent or ten thousand square feet, whichever is less.

(Ord. 11398 § 3 (part), 1997: Ord. 10398 § 3 (part), 1993)

(Ord. No. 14773, § 7(Att. F), 7-24-2012; Ord. No. 15355, 1(Att. A, § P), 10-18-2016; Ord. No. 16370, § 2(Att. B, § II), 2-20-2024)

1.

The maximum density shall not exceed one unit per twenty acres. For farm housing, see Section 20.08A.020(5); and

2.

The maximum number of dwelling units allowed on a site shall be calculated by subtracting all submerged lands as defined in the Shoreline Master Program for the Thurston Region, as amended, from the area of the parcel and, then applying the allowed zoning density in Section 20.08A.045(1).

(Ord. No. 14773, § 7(Att. F), 7-24-2012)

Refer to the following chapters for provisions which may qualify or supplement the regulations presented above:

1.

Chapter 20.08G, Agritourism Overlay District;

2.

Chapter 20.30A Planned Rural Residential Development;

3.

Chapter 20.34, Accessory Uses and Structures;

4.

Chapter 20.40, Signs and Lighting;

5.

Chapter 20.44, Parking and Loading;

6.

Chapter 20.45, Landscaping and Screening; and

7.

Chapter 20.54, Special Use.

(Ord. 11398 § 3 (part), 1997: Ord. 10398 § 3 (part), 1993)

(Ord. No. 16370, § 2(Att. B, § II), 2-20-2024)