Right to Farm in Thurston County, WA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Thurston County, Washington.

Verified from official government sources

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

Farm Nuisance Protection

Thurston County shields established farms and forestry operations from nuisance lawsuits under Chapter 20.61 of the county code. Section 20.61.020 presumes that agricultural activities and forest practices are reasonable, not nuisances, when they follow good agricultural or forest practice and predate the neighboring nonagricultural use, unless the activity causes a substantial adverse effect on public health and safety.

Thurston County Right-to-Farm Nuisance Shield

Few Restrictions

Thurston County Code §§ 20.61.010, 20.61.020

The purpose of this chapter is to promote the continued viability of agricultural activities and forest practices within Thurston County and to protect such activities and practices from nuisance lawsuits, consistent with state law. ... the county is further recognizing existing Washington state nuisance protection laws (RCW 7.48.300 through 7.48.310) and any subsequent amendment of such laws. ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Agricultural Zoning Protection

Thurston County's Long-Term Agriculture District, created under Chapter 20.08A, makes farming the primary use of the land and caps residential density at one dwelling unit per twenty acres. Section 20.08A.010 states the zone exists to conserve commercially significant farmland from incompatible development, while Section 20.08A.045 sets the density ceiling that keeps new houses from crowding out working farms.

Thurston County Long-Term Agriculture Zoning Rules

Some Restrictions

Thurston County Code §§ 20.08A.010, 20.08A.045

It is intended that agriculture be the primary use in this district and that other uses be sited so as to minimize their impact on, or conflicts with, surrounding agricultural uses. This district is not intended to preclude farming in other areas of the county. The purpose of this district is to: 1.Conserve agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance used for the production of crops...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Thurston County ordinances

See every category we cover for Thurston County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Thurston County Ordinance Hub →