Cherry Hill, NJ Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone
- Residential Agriculture (RA), § 40-402
- Minimum lot size
- 1 acre
- Lot frontage
- 200 feet
- Top permitted use
- Agriculture
- Accessory use allowed
- farm stand & crop-picking
- State overlay
- NJ Right to Farm Act, N.J.S.A. 4:1C-1
Summary
Cherry Hill Township maintains a dedicated Residential Agriculture (RA) zoning district under § 40-402, intended for low-intensity agricultural operations and large-lot single-family homes. Agriculture is listed first among the zone's permitted principal uses, and farm stands and crop-picking operations are allowed as an accessory use alongside it.
§ 40-402. Residential Agriculture (RA). A. Intent. The Residential Agriculture (RA) zone is intended to provide areas for low-intensity agricultural operations and single-family dwellings on large lots that create a rural residential environment wherein natural constraints minimize the effect of developing lands, which protect and preserve valuable agricultural and rural areas... B. ... Permitted principal uses... 1. ... Agriculture. C. ... Permitted accessory uses and structures... 3. ... Farm stand and consumer crop picking operations when used in conjunction with an agriculture use.
Full Breakdown
" Agriculture is the first use listed among the zone's permitted principal uses, ahead of cemeteries, churches and similar places of worship, conservation uses, municipal uses, public parks and recreation, schools and institutions of higher education, and single-family detached dwellings; no other principal use is allowed. As a permitted accessory use, § 40-402C allows a "farm stand and consumer crop picking operations when used in conjunction with an agriculture use," along with horses (cross-referenced to § 40-431A). The RA zone carries the township's largest minimum lot size, one acre, with 200 feet of lot frontage and 150 feet of lot depth required on both interior and corner lots under the bulk table at § 40-402D.
A. , noting that agricultural land activity requires "municipal review of any activity not exempted by the Right to Farm Act"; activity the Act exempts bypasses Cherry Hill's local site plan review, while non-exempt construction on farmland still goes through the Zoning Officer and Planning Board like any other RA zone application.
Violations & Fines
Operating a non-agricultural principal use on RA-zoned land, or building without Planning Board site plan approval where the Right to Farm Act exemption does not apply, is a zoning violation enforced by the Zoning Officer, punishable under Chapter 1, § 1-5.1 by a fine up to $2,000, up to 90 days imprisonment, or up to 90 days of community service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cherry Hill Township have an agricultural zoning district?
Can I run a farm stand in the RA zone?
How large a lot do I need in the RA zone?
Does the state Right to Farm Act override Cherry Hill's zoning?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cherry Hill
Compare Cherry Hill to another location·View the New Jersey right to farm overview
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