Bloomington, IL Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

Bloomington City Code Chapter 44, Article III, establishes the A-Agriculture District to govern land, buildings, and structures in areas of the City best suited by soil and topography to agriculture, or where community facilities and utilities do not yet reach; it also acts as a holding zone for newly annexed land ahead of development, aims to prevent conflicts between agricultural and non-agricultural uses, and works against scattered, indiscriminate urban growth (§ 44-301). Section 44-302 and Table 302A list the district's permitted ("P") and special ("S") uses: agriculture, apiary/beekeeping, aquaculture/aquaponics/hydroponics, fish and poultry hatcheries, forestry, horticultural services, urban agriculture, and urban gardens are all permitted by right, alongside single-family dwellings, government facilities, and parks; animal breeding services, cemeteries, country clubs and golf courses, fairgrounds and agricultural exhibits, veterinary clinics, and community swimming pools are special uses requiring City Council review under Article XVII.

A use not listed on the table is decided by the Zoning Enforcement Officer, who may require a text amendment if nothing comparable exists (§ 44-302(A)(5)). 5 stories. General development standards for lighting, accessory structures, parking, landscaping, and signage in the district cross-reference Articles IX, X, XII, XIII, and XIV (§ 44-304).