CODE OF VIRGINIA

LOCALITIES MAY NOT REQUIRE A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL
ACTIVITIES (§ 15.2-2288)

A zoning ordinance shall not require that a special exception or special use
permit be obtained for any production agriculture or silviculture activity in an
area that is zoned as an agricultural district or classification. For the
purposes of this section, production agriculture and silviculture is the bona
fide production or harvesting of agricultural products as defined in §
3.2-6400, including silviculture products, but shall not include the processing
of agricultural or silviculture products, the above ground application or
storage of sewage sludge, or the storage or disposal of nonagricultural
excavation material, waste and debris if the excavation material, waste and
debris are not generated on the farm, subject to the provisions of the Virginia
Waste Management Act. However, localities may adopt setback requirements,
minimum area requirements and other requirements that apply to land used for
agriculture or silviculture activity within the locality that is zoned as an
agricultural district or classification. Nothing herein shall require agencies
of the Commonwealth or its contractors to obtain a special exception or a
special use permit under this section.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 15-968.5; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-491; 1964, c. 564; 1966,
c. 455; 1968, cc. 543, 595; 1973, c. 286; 1974, c. 547; 1975, cc. 99, 575, 579,
582, 641; 1976, cc. 71, 409, 470, 683; 1977, c. 177; 1978, c. 543; 1979, c. 182;
1982, c. 44; 1983, c. 392; 1984, c. 238; 1987, c. 8; 1988, cc. 481, 856; 1989,
cc. 359, 384; 1990, cc. 672, 868; 1992, c. 380; 1993, c. 672; 1994, c. 802;
1995, cc. 351, 475, 584, 603; 1996, c. 451; 1997, c. 587; 2012, c. 455; 2014, c.
435.