Walkersville City Zoning Code
ARTICLE IVA
Agricultural District
§ 88-24.1 Intent and purpose.
The purpose of the Agricultural District is to preserve productive agricultural land and the character and quality of the rural environment, and to prevent urbanization where roads and other public facilities are scaled to meet only rural needs.
§ 88-24.2 Permitted uses.
[Amended 6-25-1980; 1-23-1991 by Ord. No. 90-5]
A.
The following uses are permitted in the Agricultural District:
(1)
Agricultural activities.
(2)
Roadside stands, retail and wholesale.
(3)
Forestry.
(4)
Cemeteries and memorial gardens.
(5)
Parks.
(6)
Single-family residences. Minimum lot size for single-family dwellings shall be one acre, with a maximum subdivision of three lots off of any parcel of record at the time of annexation.
(7)
One tenant dwelling for each 40 acres or part thereof, up to a maximum of two dwellings per parcel, provided any new structures maintain the required setback for property lines and receive Planning Commission approval.
B.
In the Agricultural District, the preferred use is agriculture. The operation at any time of any machinery used in farming procedures and all other agricultural operations shall be permitted and shall have preference over all other uses.
§ 88-24.3 Special exception uses.
The following uses are permitted in the Agricultural District with a special exception:
A.
Public and private educational facilities.
B.
Places of worship.
C.
Community services, public utilities and other public facilities.
D.
Private clubs.
E.
Recreational facilities.
F.
Auction sales of animals.
G.
Commercial greenhouses and nurseries.
H.
Farm equipment sales and service.
I.
Animal hospitals or veterinary clinics.
J.
Antique shops.
[Added 2-9-1983]
K.
Reception facility, provided the following standards and requirements are met:
[Added 8-10-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-04]
(1)
A minimum of 10 acres lot size is required.
(2)
The property shall have frontage on and access to a paved road having a minimum classification of collector road as indicated on the Town of Walkersville Comprehensive Plan.
(3)
Use and conversion of existing structures is encouraged and preferred.
(4)
If otherwise allowed in and under the requirements of the Agricultural Zoning District, one caretaker residence is permitted as an accessory use with the approval of the Board of Appeals as to compatibility with the neighborhood as determined by its proposed size, height, location, access, parking, utilities, and health and safety considerations.
(5)
Accommodations for overnight lodging (except as to the caretaker or owner resident) are not permitted. Camping or recreational vehicle camping is not permitted.
[Amended 8-10-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-03]
(6)
Hours of operations for events will be no earlier than 7:00 a.m. and no later than 12:00 midnight unless further limited by the Board of Appeals.
(7)
Attendance at any reception facility event permitted hereunder will be limited to a maximum of 500 guests/patrons.
(8)
Adequate parking for guests/patrons and employees shall be provided on site in areas adequately screened as determined by the Planning Commission.
§ 88-24.4 Lot and yard dimensions.
[Added 6-25-1980]
Lot and yard dimensions shall be as follows:
Use Type | Minimum Lot Area | Minimum Lot Width (feet) | Required Yards | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front (feet) | Side (feet) | Rear (feet) | |||
Agricultural activities | — | — | 40 | 50 | 50 |
Residential single-family | 40,000 square feet | 100 | 40 | 10 | 30 |
Mobile home | 40,000 square feet | 100 | 40 | 10 | 30 |
Animal care and services | 5 acres | 300 | 40 | 50 | 50 |
Parks, recreational facilities, forestry, cemeteries | — | — | 40 | 50 | 50 |
All other uses having structures | 40,000 square feet | 200 | 40 | 50 | 50 |
§ 88-24.5 Building and height restrictions.
[Added 6-25-1980]
No building or structure will exceed three stories or 35 feet in height except as modified in § 88-58.