The intent of the AGD general agricultural district is to maintain open land areas predominantly devoted to farming and agricultural related uses. It is anticipated that while certain areas within the district will eventually be used for nonagricultural uses, the intensity of development will remain significantly limited due to a lack of urban facilities and services. It is also intended that this district provide for small-scale, family-oriented businesses on a case-by-case basis.

(Code 1992, § 17.32(1))

Permitted principal uses and structures within the AGD general agricultural district are as follows:

(1)

Permitted principal uses and structures in the AED exclusive agricultural district.

(2)

Public and semipublic nonprofit institutional uses, including churches, schools, libraries, museums and uses of a similar nature.

(3)

Parks, preserves and golf courses.

(4)

Single-family detached dwellings and mobile homes unrelated to any farm operation as a principal use and structure on individual lots, which are not part of a recorded subdivision plat as defined in chapter 52 of this Code of Ordinances.

(5)

Governmental facility, provided equipment and material storage yards are effectively screened from view from any residential lot or public street.

(6)

Utility-scale energy system.

(Code 1992, § 17.32(2); Ord. of 6-27-2000, § 17.32(2); Ord. No. M-2013-14, 2-25-2014; Ord. No. Z-2-2024-25, 5-28-2024; Ord. No. Z-11-2024-25, 3-11-2025)

Permitted accessory uses and structures with the AGD general agricultural district are as follows:

(1)

Permitted accessory uses and structures in section 54-101.

(2)

Home-based business. A business operated on the same parcel as the principal residence, provided that:

a.

The use is clearly incidental to the use as a residence.

b.

Not more than two non-family members may be employed on the premises.

c.

There shall be no change in the outside appearance of the building in which the business is operated, other than one sign not exceeding one square foot in area, non-illuminated, and mounted flat against the wall of the structure in which the business is operated.

d.

No traffic shall be generated by such home based business in greater volumes than would normally be expected in an agricultural area.

e.

No equipment or process shall be used which creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors or electrical interference detectable to the normal senses off the lot.

f.

A home-based business may not occupy more than 30 percent of any principal or accessory structure.

g.

The manufacture and/or sale of fireworks shall not be considered a home based business.

(3)

Accessory-scale solar energy system, subject to the provisions of division 4 of article IV of this chapter.

(Code 1992, § 17.32(3); Ord. of 6-24-1997, § 17.32(3); Ord. No. Z-11-2024-25, 3-11-2025)

Special exception uses and structures within the AGD general agricultural district are as follows:

(1)

Special exception uses and structures in section 54-102; provided, however, that no such use or structure shall be located within 500 feet of an existing residential dwelling other than the owners or within 500 feet of the exterior boundary of a recorded subdivision plat.

(2)

Two-family dwellings, provided that the dimensional requirements of division 2 of article III of this chapter are met.

(3)

Cemeteries.

(4)

Veterinary offices.

(5)

Storage establishments and building supply establishments (except when located within 300 feet of a residential district, platted residential subdivision, or parcel with a residential use), subject to the conditions in subsection (10) of this section.

(6)

Resource extraction uses, including quarrying and sand and gravel pits.

(7)

Outdoor commercial recreational uses, including recreational camps, campgrounds, golf, archery and rifle ranges, sledding and skiing facilities and uses of a similar nature.

(8)

Commercial exhibits of historical or natural significance.

(9)

Automobile salvage and metal recycling yards, subject to the conditions in subsection (1) of this section involving storage of less than 150 vehicles, appliances and the like, with vehicles accounting for not more than 50 of the total and where no crushing or processing of parts and materials is conducted on the premises and provided all vehicles, materials and parts are effectively screened from view from any residential lot or public highway.

(10)

Contractors storage yard, including landscape contractors, provided all equipment and materials are effectively screened from view from any residential lot or public highway.

(11)

The following uses, provided the owner or proprietor resides on the premises: automobiles, farm equipment and small engine repair shops; offices and/or shops in connection with skilled tradesman, including plumbers, electricians, carpenters, welders and the like; and production and/or sales of crafts produced on the premises, provided mechanical or chemical processes are incidental or nonexistent.

(12)

Taverns existing before the effective date of adoption of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived.

(13)

Sales of lawn and garden equipment in connection with a plant nursery.

(14)

Airports, public or private.

(15)

Dog kennels.

(16)

Day care (family).

(17)

Community-scale and large-scale solar energy system, subject to the provisions of division 4 of article IV of this chapter.

(18)

Telecommunication towers, subject to the provisions of subdivision II of division 3 of article IV of this chapter.

(Code 1992, § 17.32(4); Ord. of 6-24-1997, §§ 17.32(4)(i), (j), (p), (q); Ord. No. Z-24-01, § 17.32(4), 4-17-2001; Ord. No. Z-10-2022-23, 2-14-2023; Ord. No. Z-11-2024-25, 3-11-2025)

Dimensional requirements of the AGD general agricultural district are as follows:

(1)

Principal agricultural uses. Minimum lot area, two acres; lot width, 200 feet; and front yard, 25 feet. There are no side or rear yard requirements and no height limitations on buildings or structures.

(2)

Single-family detached dwellings and mobile homes on individual lots. Minimum lot area, 24,000 square feet; lot width, 100 feet; front yard, 25 feet; rear yard, 30 feet; side yards, 20 feet each. Lots rezoned from the AED District for the purposes of constructing a residence shall meet same minimal dimensional requirements but shall not exceed two acres in size. The siting of those newly created lots shall also be done in a manner that will minimize the loss of productive farmland and will minimize disruption of the adjacent farm operations.

(3)

Other permitted or permissible uses and structures. Minimum lot area, one acre; lot width, 150 feet; front yard, 25 feet; rear yard 50 feet; side yards, 30 feet each provided, however, that for any building or structure over 40 feet in height, the side yards shall be increased by one foot for every two feet in additional height. Minimum lot area and yard requirements may be increased as a condition for a special exception permit.

(Code 1992, § 17.32(5); Ord. No. Z-3-2012-13, 1-8-2013)

Permitted accessory signs within the AGD general agricultural district are as follows:

(1)

Permitted accessory signs in the AED exclusive agricultural district.

(2)

For special exception uses and structures, one detached sign in the building setback area (front yard), limited in aggregate area to three times the lineal feet of frontage; provided, however, that no detached sign shall exceed 250 square feet in area, no part of the supporting structure shall be closer than ten feet to the right-of-way and at least 12 feet of clear space, exclusive of the supporting structure, shall be maintained underneath the sign for visibility purposes.

(Code 1992, § 17.32(6))