Florida Statutes 823.14 and 163.3162 restrict local governments from adopting zoning rules that inhibit established farms on agriculturally classified land, preserving agricultural uses against incompatible local regulation.
Section 163.3162, the Agricultural Lands and Practices Act, bars counties from exercising any authority to adopt zoning ordinances or regulations that prohibit or otherwise limit a bona fide farm operation on land classified as agricultural under Section 193.461. Section 823.14 reinforces this by limiting nuisance liability and ordinance reach against established farms. Counties retain authority to address public health and safety concerns and may regulate non-agricultural activities, but they cannot dictate accepted agricultural practices, prohibit specific crops or livestock, or impose setbacks designed to displace farms. Municipalities are likewise limited where land qualifies as bona fide agricultural.
County zoning rules conflicting with FS 163.3162 or FS 823.14 are void as applied to bona fide farms; affected farmers may seek declaratory and injunctive relief.
Dunnellon, FL
Dunnellon sits within Marion County, which permits up to six hens (no roosters) on residentially zoned properties — but only if the parcel is in an unincorpo...
Marion County, FL
Marion County's Land Development Code controls residential lot intensity primarily through density and lot-size limits in Sec. 4.2.6 rather than a percentage...
Marion County, FL
In unincorporated Marion County, FL, prefab sheds 160 sq ft or smaller (e.g., 10×16) generally do not require a building permit, provided setback and zoning ...
Marion County, FL
In unincorporated Marion County, FL, residential setbacks come from the Land Development Code Sec. 4.2.6 (Table 4.2-4). R-1 lots without central water/sewer ...
See how Dunnellon's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
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