Toms River City Zoning Code
§ 348-5.25.1
Right to farm.
[Added 10-13-1998 by Ord. No. 3372-98]
A.
The right to farm all land is hereby recognized to exist as a natural right and is also hereby ordained to exist as a permitted use in all zones where it currently legally exists or is currently an allowed use under this chapter and all other ordinances of the Township, county and state dealing with health, sanitation and environmental protection. The "right to farm," as it is used in this section, includes the use of irrigation pumps and equipment, aerial and ground seeding and spraying, tractors, farm laborers and the application of chemical fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides, as well as other mechanized equipment and modern procedures, including composting and on-site disposal of organic waste, all for the purpose of producing from the land agricultural products such as but not limited to vegetables, grains, hay, fruits, fibers, wood, trees, plants, shrubs, flowers and seeds, as well as the propagation and maintenance of horses, cows and other grazing livestock, fowl production, the maintenance of swine (as per and in accordance with Board of Health regulations) and providing for the processing and packaging, wholesaling and retailing of such products as contribute to farm income, including the construction of buildings, fences and parking areas in conformance with Township codes. Livestock fencing shall conform to the use intended and shall require a permit with no fee.
B. COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE FARM HOME AGRICULTURE
Definitions. For the purposes of interpretation of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
The production principally for sale to others of plants and animals or their products, including but not limited to forage and sod crops, grain and feed crops, dairy animals and dairy products, livestock, including beef cattle, poultry, sheep, swine, horses, ponies, mules and goats; the breeding and grazing of such animals, bees and apiary products, fruits of all kinds, including grapes, nuts and berries; vegetables, nursery, floral, ornamental and greenhouse products.
An area of land of single or multiple contiguous or noncontiguous parcels which is actively devoted to agricultural or horticultural use, including but not limited to crop land, pasture, idle or fallow land, woodland, wetlands, farm ponds, farm roads and certain farm buildings and other enclosures related to agricultural pursuits.
The production principally for home use or consumption of plants, animals or their products and for sale to others where such sales are incidental, including but not limited to gardening, fruit production and poultry and livestock products for household use only.
C.
The foregoing uses and activities included in the right to farm, when reasonable and necessary for the particular agricultural/farming, livestock and/or fowl production and when conducted in accordance with generally accepted agricultural/farming practices, can and may occur on holidays, Sundays and weekdays, at night and in the day, and the usual noise, odors, dust and fumes that are caused by them are also specifically permitted as part of the exercise of this right.
D.
It is expressly found that whatever inconveniences may be caused to others not of the farming community by such uses and activities so conducted is legal for the farmer and is more than offset by the benefits from farming to the neighborhood, community and to society in general, by the preservation of open space, the beauty of the countryside and clean air and by the preservation and continuance of farming operations in Toms River Township and in New Jersey as a source of agricultural products for this and future generations.
E.
If a developer plans to build or sell 10 or more homes by creating a new subdivision or site plan with multifamily development in an area within 500 feet in any direction of a property currently in active farm use or zoned to allow said use, the developer or his or her agent must inform prospective purchasers, in writing, that they are near or next to an active farm and therefore may be subjected to such usual noises, odors, dust and/or fumes that an active farm may normally have. Furthermore, they should be aware of this § 348-5.25.1 which allows the farmer to pursue his endeavors without complaints and/or harassment. Also, any such development that occurs in the area of an active farm use shall do so in a manner so as not to infringe oh the rights of the farm. Particular attention must be paid to the water problems in said area as well as environmental issues. Such development cannot and will not cause flooding problems for the farmer or the neighborhood. Furthermore, if a development is erected next to an active use, the developer must erect and maintain a buffer use of at least 50 feet on his property for protection of both the existing farm and the new development.
F.
In an effort to preserve and continue farming in the Township of Toms River, residents involved in active farming and agricultural pursuits should and can be allowed to construct buildings on their land that are directly related to the farming pursuit, e.g., barns, storage buildings, equipment buildings, etc. Said buildings must be erected in accordance with Township building codes and shall follow the schedule as set for the Township.
G.
These statements are of a general intent and meant to express a basic philosophy by which all other ordinances are to be considered and interpreted.