Vernon Township City Zoning Code
§ 330-197
Right to farm.
A.
The owner or operator of a commercial farm which meets the eligibility criteria for differential property taxation pursuant to the Farmland Assessment Act of 1964 and the operation of which conforms to agricultural management practices recommended by the State Agriculture Development Committee and all relevant federal or state statutes or rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto and which does not pose a direct threat to public health and safety may:
(1)
Produce agricultural and horticultural groups, trees and forest produces, livestock and poultry and other commodities as described in the Standard Industrial Classification for Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Trapping;
(2)
Process and package the agricultural output of the commercial farm;
(3)
Provide for the wholesale and retail marketing of the agricultural output of the commercial farm, and related products that contribute to farm income, including the construction of building and parking areas in conformance with the standards of this chapter;
(4)
Replenish soil nutrients;
(5)
Control pests, predators and diseases of plants and animals;
(6)
Clear woodlands using open burning and other techniques, install and maintain vegetative and terrain alterations and other physical facilities for water and soil conservation and surface water control in wetland areas; and
(7)
Conduct on-site disposal of organic agricultural wastes.
B.
There shall be a rebuttable presumption that no commercial agricultural operations, activity or structure which conforms to agricultural management practices recommended by the State Agriculture Development Committee, and all relevant federal or state statutes or rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto and which does not pose a direct threat to public health and safety, shall constitute a public or private nuisance, nor shall any such operation, activity or structure be deemed to otherwise invade or interfere with the use and enjoyment of any other land or property.
[Amended 1-28-2002 by Ord. No. 02-04]