Outagamie County, WI Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- District
- AED Exclusive Agricultural District
- Purpose
- Limit nonagricultural encroachment on farmland
- Tax benefit
- Wis. Stat. § 71.09 credit
- Rezoning out
- Requires written findings, public hearing
- Applies in
- Unincorporated towns with county zoning
Summary
Outagamie County's AED exclusive agricultural district zoning keeps highly productive farmland in production by limiting nonagricultural encroachment, and lets eligible landowners qualify for the state's farmland preservation tax credit.
The intent of the AED exclusive agricultural district is to maintain highly productive agricultural lands in agricultural production by effectively limiting encroachment of nonagricultural development; by minimizing land use conflicts between agricultural and nonagricultural uses; and by minimizing public service and facility costs associated with nonagricultural development. This district is further intended to comply with standards contained in Wis. Stats. ch. 91, to permit eligible landowners to receive tax credits under Wis. Stats. § 71.09.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 54-99 sets the purpose of the AED exclusive agricultural district: keep highly productive land in farming by limiting nonagricultural encroachment, minimizing conflicts between farm and non-farm uses, and holding down public service costs tied to development. The district is built to meet Wis. Stat. ch. 91 farmland preservation standards so landowners can claim the state's § 71.09 tax credit. Under Sec. 54-105, the zoning administrator can't rezone land out of AED without written findings, after a public hearing, that the parcel suits another use, fits the county's farmland preservation plan, and won't impair neighboring farm operations.
Violations & Fines
Using AED land for a use the district doesn't allow, or rezoning out without the required findings, is a Sec. 1-14(b) zoning violation: $150 for a first offense, $300 for each one after that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Outagamie County have a right-to-farm nuisance law?
Can the county easily rezone my farm out of AED?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Outagamie County
Compare Outagamie County to another location·View the Wisconsin right to farm overview
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