Agriculture and Markets Law Article 25-AA governs certified agricultural districts statewide and limits how local zoning can apply to working farms inside them.
AML Β§Β§ 303 through 307 establish the procedure for landowners to form county-administered agricultural districts that are reviewed by the state every eight years. Within a district, AML Β§ 305 caps benefit assessments for farms and bars certain non-farm taxes; AML Β§ 305-a directs municipalities to act in a manner that does not unreasonably restrict or regulate farm operations. State agencies and authorities are also required to file Agricultural Data Statements for projects in districts. Localities retain authority to adopt right-to-farm overlay laws but may not contradict the state framework.
Local laws unreasonably restricting farm operations may be challenged before the Commissioner and invalidated by court order with attorney's fees to the prevailing farmer.
Monroe County, NY
City of Rochester prohibits on-street parking 2 AM to 6 AM year-round under Municipal Code Β§111-5 (alternate side not in effect; blanket overnight ban). Resi...
Monroe County, NY
Monroe County towns specify approved fence materials in zoning codes. Wood, vinyl, chain-link, and wrought iron standard. Barbed wire banned in residential z...
Monroe County, NY
NY State Uniform Code (Residential Code Β§R404) requires engineered design for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing. Monroe County muni...
Brighton, NY
The Town of Brighton (Monroe County) does not single out beekeeping in its zoning code, but Brighton's animal-keeping rules in Chapter 203 (District Use Regu...
Monroe County, NY
Monroe County does not have a separate countywide smoke-alarm ordinance; smoke-alarm requirements come from the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Bu...
Monroe County, NY
Monroe County is not designated a high wildfire hazard area. No defensible space requirements. NY DEC Part 215 brush burn ban (March 16 β May 14) is the prim...
See how Brighton's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
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