2004 Agriculture Zoning Code Amendments

The Snohomish County Agricultural Advisory Board was created in 1985 to advise the County on matters related to farmland conservation. The Board requested that uses allowed under zoning on agricultural lands be significantly expanded to enhance the economic viability of farming.

In response to this request, the County has adopted a number of zoning code changes which are summarized on this page and incorporated in Amended Ordinance No. 04-074:

• Farm Bakery is now allowed. This use describes a building or a portion of building that is used to prepare baked goods for consumption or sale on or off the farm site. At least one ingredient must be grown in Snohomish County or the Puget Sound Fresh region.
• Farm Product Processing has been expanded to include two categories of structures: up to 5,000 square feet in size and over 5,000 square feet in size. This change allows the alteration or modification of an operation for storage, transport or sale of an agricultural product on a farm site. The processing operation cannot adversely affect adjacent properties. Its size and activity level must be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
• Farm Support Business that is clearly related to or supportive of agricultural activities is now allowed. Examples include blacksmithing, farriers or farm implement repair. The nature of the operation, activity level and any structures cannot adversely affect adjacent properties. Its size and activity level must be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
• Farm Stand has been expanded to include two size categories: up to 400 square feet in size and from 401 to 5,000 square feet in size. Of the farm product units sold, at least 50% need to be grown, raised or harvested in Snohomish County and at least 75% need to be grown, raised or harvested in Washington state.
• Farmers Market is now allowed. A facility (Farmers Market) may be owned or operated by a farmers’ cooperative or similar arrangement, to allow growers and producers of agricultural products to display and sell agricultural products. The site cannot exceed five acres in size.
• Farmland Enterprises are now allowed. The activity must be clearly incidental and subordinate to the farm’s main use. The activity must use a portion of the farm site that includes an existing farm building cluster which must be designated on a site plan. There must be no adverse impact on the surrounding agricultural uses and activities.
• Farm Kitchen is now allowed. A room or area on a farm site can now be used for the cooking or preparation of food for distribution, sale and/or consumption of agricultural products. At least a portion this food is produced or grown on the farm site, within Snohomish County or in the Puget Sound Fresh region. The site must contain any two of the following: a kitchen–type sink, refrigerator, range, or 220 H2 outlet.
• Public Events/Assemblies on Farmland are now allowed; up to two events per year, with each event not exceeding two weeks in duration.
• Recreational Facility Not Otherwise Listed is now allowed, except when the site is designated farmland under the County’s GMA comprehensive plan. Permissible recreation uses, where allowed, shall include only non-motorized field games or sports and must be conducted on uncovered fields under private ownership and control.

Under the zoning code, the uses listed above are categorized as either Permitted, Conditional or Administrative Conditional uses.

Amended Ordinance No. 04-074 also expands signage opportunities for farms, including business identification, locational/directional, reader board and product availability signs. You can read the full text of Ordinance 04-074 by clicking on this link. If you have questions about the code amendments, please contact Roxanne Justice, Planner, by phone at 425-388-3311, extension 2240, or by email at roxanne.justice@co.snohomish.wa.us.