Johnson County, IA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

3 implements the state's farm exemption: land, agricultural domiciles, barns and outbuildings "primarily adapted, by reason of nature and area, for use for agricultural purposes" fall outside Chapters 8:1 (Zoning), 8:3 (Environmental), 8:6 and 8:7. Up to two dwellings on a farm unit qualify as exempt agricultural domiciles if occupied by residents actively engaged in the operation. Parcels of forty acres or more get a Tier 1 presumption of exemption; the owner still files an application with the Zoning Administrator before building. Parcels under forty acres are presumed non-exempt and must clear a Tier 2 history/experience, intent/plans and primarily-adapted test, with a right to reapply under the other tier if denied.

Land enrolled in a state soil or water conservation program is automatically treated as primarily adapted for agriculture. 6) allows agricultural uses, animal husbandry, stables, and one single-family dwelling per parcel by right, plus accessory uses such as roadside stands, harvest markets (capped at 60 days per calendar year), on-site agricultural product processing (limited to 900 square feet with at least 51% on-site-grown inputs), and slaughter/processing of up to 999 birds annually for direct household sales. 29. 3 confirms it remains subject to Chapter 8:2 and Iowa Code Chapter 354 regardless of exempt status.