Right to Farm in Surry County, NC (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Surry County, North Carolina.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Surry County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Farm Nuisance Protection

Surry County's zoning ordinance exempts land used for a bona fide farm from zoning regulation entirely: under §154.002-04, the county cannot apply its zoning rules to farm production, farm residences, or supporting farm buildings, though non-farm uses on the same land remain subject to zoning. Owners can prove bona fide farm status with a farm sales-tax exemption certificate, a present-use-value tax listing, a Schedule F, or a forest management plan.

Bona Fide Farm Zoning Exemption in Surry County

Few Restrictions

Surry County Code § 154.002-04

Pursuant to G.S. § 160D-903 and the definition of bona fide farm in § 154.003-02, zoning regulations may not affect property used for bona fide farm purposes; provided, however, that this section does not limit zoning regulation with respect to the use of farm property for non-farm purposes. ... bona fide farm purposes include the production and activities relating or incidental to the producti...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Agricultural Zoning Protection

In unincorporated Surry County, North Carolina, a bona fide farm is exempt from the county's zoning ordinance entirely under § 154.002-04, covering crop, livestock, poultry, dairy, and agritourism operations plus farm dwellings and outbuildings. The exemption does not reach non-farm uses on the same land, and losing bona fide farm status for three straight years subjects the property back to normal zoning and permitting rules.

Surry County Bona Fide Farm Zoning Exemption

Few Restrictions

Surry County Code § 154.002-04

§ 154.002-04 BONA FIDE FARMS EXEMPT. ... Pursuant to G.S. § 160D-903 and the definition of bona fide farm in § 154.003-02, zoning regulations may not affect property used for bona fide farm purposes; provided, however, that this section does not limit zoning regulation with respect to the use of farm property for non-farm purposes. ... bona fide farm purposes include the production and activiti...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Surry County ordinances

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