(A) Agricultural exemption. The provisions of this chapter shall not be exercised so as to impose regulations with respect to land used for agricultural purposes, or with respect to the erection, maintenance, repair, alterations, remodeling or extension of buildings or structures used or intended for agricultural purposes upon such land, except that such buildings for agricultural purposes shall be required to conform to building setback lines. In the event that the land ceases to be used solely for agricultural purposes, then and only then, shall the provisions of this chapter apply.
(B) Permitted uses.
(1) Agricultural uses including farms, ranches and horticultural enterprises;
(2) Commercial nurseries, greenhouses and temporary produce stands;
(3) Single-family residences;
(4) Contractors storage yards and facilities related to servicing agricultural enterprises including spraying, trimming, fertilizing, tree removal, drainage and/or crop harvesting and storage;
(5) Governmental facilities;
(6) Schools;
(7) Offices; and
(8) Private or public recreational facilities including golf courses.
(C) Uses requiring special use permits.
(1) Agricultural implement sales;
(2) Animal hospitals and veterinary offices;
(3) Blacksmith and welding operations;
(4) Cemeteries;
(5) Churches;
(6) Mobile homes in conformance with § 154.48(E)(1);
(7) Horse keeping and the keeping of animals for agricultural projects, hobbies or home occupations;
(8) Food and dairy product processing; and
(9) Nursing homes.
(E) Area, height, setback and yard regulations.
(1) Minimum lot area: one acre.
(2) Permitted height of main building: 25 feet, except farm structures exclusive of farm dwelling.
(3) Minimum yard setbacks:
(a) Front: 20 feet from any property line adjoining any public street;
(b) Side: five feet. Lots over 70 feet in width, side yards combined must equal at least 15% of the total width with no single side yard less than five feet; and
(c) Rear: 20 feet.
(4) Minimum lot width: 150 feet.
(F) Special restrictions within Rural-Agricultural District.
(1) One dwelling per lot. Not more than one dwelling unit shall be erected or placed on any lot in the Rural-Agricultural District.
(2) Non-agricultural animal keeping.
(a) Horse keeping.
1. No horse keeping is permitted on any lot existing prior to the adoption of this chapter which is less than 20,000 square feet.
2. Two horses are permitted on lots exceeding 20,000 square feet but do not exceed 30,000 square feet. One additional horse is permitted for each additional 5,000 square feet of lot area.
3. For the purposes of this section, two ponies shall count as one horse, except that each pony in excess of four shall be counted as one horse.
4. A foal less than one year old, maintained in the company of its mother, will not be counted in determining compliance with this section.
5. Horses up to twice the number normally allowed on a parcel of land may be kept on a temporary basis of up to one week but not more frequently than every 30 days.
6. Any area where horses are kept shall not be less than 50 feet from any habitable dwelling on the same parcel, 200 from any habitable dwelling(s) on adjacent parcels, and 200 feet from any church, school, hospital/clinic or where foods are processed, stored, kept, manufactured or served to the public.
7. The design of the horse keeping facility will be reviewed by the City Council as part of the special permit process.
(b) Other animal keeping for hobbies, agricultural projects or home occupations.
1. Any area where animals other than horses are kept for hobby purposes, agricultural projects or home occupations shall not be located within 200 feet of any habitable dwelling(s) on adjacent parcels, any church, school, hospital clinic or where foods are processed, stored, kept, manufactured or served to the public.
2. The design of any animal keeping facility shall be reviewed by the City Council as part of the special permit process.
(1975 Code, § 32-III-IV)