It is the intention of the following regulations to conserve undeveloped area as long as possible before being needed for development by permitting farming and the keeping of farm livestock to the extent that such activities are not incompatible with urban development, especially residential uses.
This article does not intend to establish regulations for household pets, to be regulated by Municipal Code separate from this chapter,[1] nor for boarding and breeding kennels for dogs, uses which are regulated, as conditional uses, in this chapter apart from this article.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 4, Art. VII, Animals.
A. 
Those agricultural operations and associated activities generally understood as "agribusiness" rather than common farming are hereby prohibited, including, but not limited to by virtue of explicit listing, such operations as:
(1) 
Alcohol distillation for fuel or food.
(2) 
Animal or plant fat rendering or processing.
(3) 
Commercial feed lots.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 25, Construction and Effect of Ordinances, Art. II).
(4) 
Commercial egg production exceeding 1,000 laying hens.
(5) 
Dairy processing plants (cheese, milk, etc.).
(6) 
Drying and dehydrating fruits and vegetables.
(7) 
Grist mill operations.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 25, Construction and Effect of Ordinances, Art. II).
(8) 
Fertilizer production or sales.
(9) 
Fur farming.
(10) 
Livestock sale facilities.
(11) 
Meat packing, slaughterhouse, or sausage plants.
B. 
The above categories of excluded uses which also qualify as manufacturing may be permitted in the Industrial District of this chapter if the performance standards of this chapter can be met.
The raising of field crops, tree plantations and plant nurseries and all related activities thereto shall be permitted in any district except as may be restricted in the CON District and except that a commercial greenhouse in excess of 1,000 square feet shall be permitted only in an agricultural or commercial district or on an existing operation of at least 10 acres and except that crops requiring application of inorganic chemicals or fungicides shall not be grown closer than 200 feet to a residence.
The keeping or raising of horses, poultry, beef and domestic livestock, and all related activities thereto, shall be permitted in any district not served with public sewer, except as may be restricted in the CON District, subject to the following:
A. 
No such use shall be permitted on a lot less than three acres in area, exclusive of existing rights-of-way.
B. 
Except on an existing farm operation of at least 20 acres, such use shall be limited to not more than one head of livestock per acre, not more than 20 fowl per acre, and not more than 10 rabbits pre acre.
C. 
The keeping of hogs, goats, roosters or fur-bearing animals, other than rabbits, shall not be permitted except on an existing farm operation of at least 20 acres.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 25, Construction and Effect of Ordinances, Art. II).
D. 
The keeping of horses for private use shall be permitted on the basis of one horse per acre. The operation of a commercial stable for boarding or training shall be permitted only as a conditional use.
E. 
Any area where poultry, domestic livestock or horses are allowed to pasture or run shall be adequately fenced to keep them confined to such area.
F. 
In any district other than on an existing farm of at least 20 acres, no building housing domestic livestock, poultry or horses shall be permitted closer than 50 feet to an adjoining lot line of a property zoned residential.
G. 
The stocking of private ponds with fish shall be permitted in any district, except that commercial fish hatcheries or the operation of commercial fishing ponds shall be permitted only as a conditional use in the A District.