(A) Purpose. To provide a location for land situated on the fringe of an urban area and to permit the use of land for ranching, propagation and cultivation of crops and similar uses of vacant land or sparsely populated property. It is anticipated that Agricultural zoned land will eventually be rezoned to another zoning classification. The AG - Agriculture District is also appropriate for areas where development is premature due to lack of utilities or city services; to preserve areas that are unsuitable for development due to problems that may present hazards such as flooding, in which case the AG zoning designation should be retained until such hazards are mitigated and the land is rezoned to provide permanent open space areas as buffers around uses that might otherwise be objectionable or pose environmental health hazards.
(B) District development regulations.
(1) All general and special agricultural, farming, ranching, stables, stock and poultry raising, dairy and other related uses are allowed so long as the same do not cause a hazard to health by reason of unsanitary conditions and no offence by reason of odors, dust fumes, noise or vibrations.
(2) Recreational vehicles, travel trailers or motors homes may not be used for on-site dwelling purposes.
(3) Residential structures shall be limited to one structure per lot. Provisions for additional residential uses in support of the agricultural activity of the property may be reviewed and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
(C) Area regulations.
(1) Front yard. A minimum front yard setback of 25 feet shall be required between any residential structure and the front property line.
(2) Side yard. A minimum side yard setback of seven feet shall be required between all residential structures and the side property line.
(3) Rear yard. A minimum rear yard setback of ten feet shall be required between any residential structure and the rear property line.
(4) Area of lot. A minimum lot area of 32,670 square feet, or three-quarters of an acre, shall be required.
(5) Width of lot. Each lot shall have a minimum of 25 feet of frontage on a dedicated public street.
(6) Height restrictions. No building shall exceed 35 feet in height.
(D) Supplementary regulations.
(1) The first 50 feet of property adjacent to the public right-of-way and ten feet adjacent to any property line shall be maintained. Restrictions concerning maximum height of grass shall not apply to the remainder of the property in the AG - Agriculture District.
(2) Regulations of discharge of weapon shall be stated in Tex. Loc. Gov’t Code § 229.002. A municipality may not apply a regulation relating to the discharge of firearms or other weapons in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the municipality or in an area annexed by the municipality after September 1, 1981, if the firearm or other weapon is:
(a) A shotgun, air rifle or pistol, BB gun, or bow and arrow discharged:
1. On a tract of land of ten acres or more and more than 150 feet from a residence or occupied building located on another property; and
2. In a manner not reasonably expected to cause a projectile to cross the boundary of the tract.
(b) A center fire or rim fire rifle or pistol of any caliber discharged:
1. On a tract of land of 50 acres or more and more than 300 feet from a residence or occupied building located on another property; and
2. In a manner not reasonably expected to cause a projectile to cross the boundary of the tract.
(c) Burning of plant materials shall be permitted on properties in excess of ten acres. In the event that a burn ban is in place for Hardin County, eligible properties shall not burn plant materials until the ban has been lifted;
(d) Noise restrictions shall not be applied to the noise generated by the operation of agriculture equipment used in the routine operation of property in excess of one acre; and
(e) The display or processing of large animal carcasses shall be blocked from the visibility of the right-of-way.
(Ord. passed 11-17-2015; Ord. - -, passed 6-19-2018)