[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Bethlehem 6-17-2010. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Agriculture is a significant part of the Town of Bethlehem heritage and a vital part of the Town's future. It is therefore the declared policy of the Town of Bethlehem and legislative determination of the Town of Bethlehem Town Meeting to conserve and protect agricultural land and to encourage agricultural operations and the sale of local farm products within the Town. It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to promote and advance the Town's policy and reduce the loss of local agricultural resources by limiting circumstances under which any such operation may be considered a nuisance or out of order. It is hereby further legislatively determined that whatever impact may be caused to others through normal agricultural practices, such impact is offset and enhanced by the benefits of farming to the neighborhood, community, and society in general. Methods of farming that are consistent with generally accepted farming practices are also deemed to be consistent with community standards at large. This chapter is not to be construed as modifying or abridging state law relative to the abatement of nuisances, but is to be used in the interpretation and characterization of activities and in considering and implementing enforcement of the provisions of the Bethlehem Town regulations, consistent with the provisions of C.G.S. § 19a-341. Additionally, the terms of this chapter may be used in determining whether the methods and practices that may come under review conform to community standards.
A. 
No present or future agricultural operations conducted or maintained in a manner consistent with accepted customs and standards of the agricultural industry, including, without limitation, those practices prevailing in Litchfield County, on a recognized farm which is engaged in the act of farming as defined in this chapter shall become or be considered a nuisance solely because such activity resulted or results in any changed condition of the use of adjacent land. Agricultural operations may occur on holidays, weekends and weekdays by night or day, provided such activities do not violate applicable health, safety, fire, life safety or building codes and regulations and shall include, without limitation:
(1) 
The incidental noise from livestock or farm equipment used in normal, generally acceptable farming practices, including, without limitation, those practices prevailing in Litchfield County;
(2) 
Odors from livestock, manure, fertilizer or feed;
(3) 
Dust and fumes associated with normally accepted farming practices, including, without limitation, those practices prevailing in Litchfield County;
(4) 
The use of agricultural chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers associated with normally accepted farming practices, including, without limitation, those practices prevailing in Litchfield County;
(5) 
Irrigation and water management associated with normally accepted farming practices, including, without limitation, those practices prevailing in Litchfield County; and
(6) 
Traffic associated with farming and the sale of farm products, etc.
B. 
These provisions shall not apply whenever a nuisance results from the negligent or improper operation of any such agricultural operation.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS
Activities relating to agricultural use, including, but not limited to, the cultivation and tillage of soil, the burning of agricultural waste products or other agricultural burning, protection of crops and livestock from insects, pests, diseases, birds, predators or other pests damaging or which could potentially damage crops, the proper and lawful use of agricultural chemicals, including but not limited to the application of pesticides and fertilizers, or the raising, production, irrigation, pruning, harvesting, or processing of an agricultural commodity, including any type of crop or livestock, and any forestry improvements and timber harvesting and processing. Such operations also include the operation and transportation of farm equipment over roads within the Town and conducting agriculture-related educational and farm-based recreational activities, including agri-tourism. For purposes of this chapter, such operations do not include the slaughtering of animals not raised on the premises where they are to be slaughtered.
FARM
A premises on which farming is conducted, including, without limitation, farm buildings, and accessory buildings thereto, nurseries, orchards, ranges, greenhouses, hoop houses and other temporary structures or other structures used primarily for the raising and, as incidental and adjunctive to ordinary farming operations, the sale of locally grown or raised agricultural or horticultural products (farm stands up to 1,000 square feet for sales purposes).
FARMING
Cultivation of soil, dairying, forestry, raising or harvesting any agricultural or horticultural commodity, including the raising, shearing, feeding, caring for, training and management of livestock; the operation, management, conservation, improvement or maintenance of a farm and its buildings, tools and equipment. "Farming" does not include the slaughtering of animals not raised on the premises where they are to be slaughtered.
All dispute resolutions and advisory opinions will be the responsibility of the Board of Selectmen.