Staff moves to codify state rules for agricultural employee housing in zoning ordinance

Staff explained that state law defines agricultural employee housing to include diverse housing types, and the proposed amendments add a local definition and permit such housing as an agricultural use where agriculture is already allowed. "Any zones allowing agricultural uses must also allow agricultural employee housing for up to 36 beds or 12 dwellings for agricultural employees and their families," staff said, and noted such housing requires a state-issued operating permit.

The amendment also adjusts local definitions to clarify when a use is commercial agriculture versus personal or community gardening, and staff said the approval level for agricultural employee housing will match the approval level for agricultural uses in each zone. The commission forwarded the recommendation to Council for the Oct. 27 hearing.