Bothell, WA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

BMC § 12.04.025 defines the AG classification in the City of Bothell as a tool to preserve and protect irreplaceable and limited supplies of farmland well suited to agricultural uses, and to encourage environmentally sound agricultural production. It is not a citywide farm zone: the section assigns it solely to the Magnolia Dairy properties in the Westhill Subarea, and further development of those properties is subject to Chapter 12.62 BMC and the terms of the 1986 King County purchase of development rights, consistent with Chapter 84.34 RCW.

Section 12.62.030, titled Proposed AG agricultural zoning along 88th Avenue NE, lists how the zone accomplishes those purposes: a 35-acre minimum lot size to retain parcels sized for efficient farming, uses related to agricultural production with nonagricultural uses limited to those compatible with farming or requiring close proximity for the support of agriculture, and residential development primarily to house farm owners, on-site agricultural employees and their families.

Farming activity is not confined to AG. The Agriculture use table in BMC § 12.06.030 permits growing and harvesting of crops and plant nurseries and greenhouses in R-C, R-L1, RL2, RM1 through RM3, R-M4, AG, R-AC, OP, NB, CB, GC and LI, but not in R-MHP. Raising and keeping animals for agricultural purposes is permitted in R-C, R-L1, RL2, RM1 through RM3, R-M4, AG and R-AC only. Crop activity must be controlled so as not to result in adverse impacts on nearby properties, including noise, dust, fertilizer or pesticide overspray, odor and glare, and the sale of agricultural products on the property where they were grown is permitted.

For animals, no stable, shed, coop or other structure for keeping animals, not including bees, can sit closer than 20 feet from any exterior property line. Large livestock such as horses, cows, steers and llamas need one-half acre per animal and a one acre minimum lot; small livestock such as sheep, pigs, goats, mink and miniature horses need 7,000 square feet per animal and a one acre minimum lot; poultry other than chickens and small animals such as rabbits need a one-half acre minimum lot. Chickens kept as a residential accessory use are regulated under BMC 12.06.140(B)(2).