Alpharetta, GA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

The Unified Development Code's Section 2.2.1 sets aside the AG Agriculture district for property 'used either at present or in the future for agriculturally related uses including the production of crops, general farming, raising and breeding of farm animals and poultry.' Detached 'For-Sale' residential subdivisions are allowed in the district only on five-acre-or-larger lots, keeping agricultural parcels from being carved into standard suburban lots. By right, an AG property may run farmlands with livestock and poultry, operate a bed and breakfast, or keep a single detached home; accessory uses without a separate permit include barns, stables and similar structures for housing, repairing, storing or processing farm products, plus privacy fences and home occupations.

Beyond farming itself, the district lets a property owner seek City Council approval as a conditional use for an equestrian center, a kennel, a golf course or driving range, a greenhouse or nursery, or a veterinary animal hospital, uses that support a working agricultural or rural-residential parcel without being permitted automatically. District regulations require a minimum 5-acre lot and 200-foot lot width, a 50-foot front setback from a local street (65 feet from other streets), 25-foot side and 50-foot rear setbacks, and cap building coverage at 25% of the lot with a 35-foot height limit, standards designed to keep new construction compatible with the open character of farmland. The Community Development Director enforces these use limits under Section 5.9.1, and any violation is fined under Section 5.9.2.