King County, WA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone code
- Agricultural (A) zone
- Governing chapter
- K.C.C. 21A.04.030
- Applies to
- Unincorporated King County only
- Housing allowed
- Farm owners, on-site ag employees
Summary
Unincorporated King County protects farmland with a dedicated Agricultural (A) zone that limits residential density and restricts uses to those compatible with farming.
The purpose of the agricultural zone (A) is to preserve and protect irreplaceable and limited supplies of farmland well suited to agricultural uses by their location, geological formation and chemical and organic composition and to encourage environmentally sound agricultural production. These purposes are accomplished by: 1. Establishing residential density limits to retain lots sized for efficient farming; 2. Allowing for uses related to agricultural production and limiting nonagricultural uses to those compatible with farming...
Full Breakdown
King County Code 21A.04.030 sets up the Agricultural zone to preserve farmland well suited to agricultural production by setting residential density limits sized for efficient farming, allowing agriculture-related uses while limiting nonagricultural uses to those compatible with farming, and permitting housing mainly for farm owners and on-site agricultural employees. The zone applies within Comprehensive Plan-designated agricultural production districts and other farmland the County has flagged for long-term protection. This is unincorporated county land only. Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Auburn, Redmond, Kirkland, Sammamish, Burien, Shoreline and Issaquah each set their own zoning.
Violations & Fines
Building or subdividing in the A zone without meeting the density and use limits triggers King County Permitting Division code enforcement, stop-work orders, and civil penalties under Title 23.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does King County's Agricultural zone cover farmland inside Seattle or other cities?
What is the purpose of King County's Agricultural (A) zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in King County
Compare King County to another location·View the Washington right to farm overview
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