Sumner County, TN Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- By-right districts
- AR, RP, RR, SR (Crop & Animal Raising)
- AR minimum lot size
- 15 acres (653,400 sq. ft.)
- Permit required
- None for by-right farming use
- Farm buildings
- Exempt from accessory-structure limits, all districts
- Excluded uses
- Processing/packaging of ag products (separate class)
Summary
Sumner County's Zoning Resolution protects farming as a matter of policy: the Agricultural Reserve (AR) district exists specifically to keep land open for crops, animal husbandry, dairying and forestry, and Appendix B's use table lets 'Crop & Animal Raising' operate by right in every low-density district, AR, RP, RR and SR, with no permit or hearing required.
This district is designed to provide permissible areas for the growing of crops, animal husbandry, dairying, forestry and other similar activities, which generally occur and characterize rural rather than urban areas. In addition, these districts may include areas and lands not suited by reason of soil, geologic, topographic, or other limitations for development. This district also may include community facilities, public utilities, and major recreational facilities, which require large land areas and are appropriately located away from intense urban development. The application of this district is appropriate at the property owner's request in any character area in the adopted comprehensive plan where the property is at least 15 acres.
Full Breakdown
A carries that policy into the Agricultural Reserve (AR) district, which exists to provide permissible areas for the growing of crops, animal husbandry, dairying, forestry and similar activities on lots of at least 15 acres, applied at the property owner's request within an approved comprehensive-plan character area. Appendix B's Land Use Activity Table then turns that policy into a permitted-use standard: 'Crop & Animal Raising' is marked 'P,' permitted by right, in all four of the county's low-density residential districts, AR, RP (Rural Preservation), RR (Rural Residential) and SR (Suburban Residential), and it is barred only from the higher-intensity MHC, OP, IN, CN, CS, CG, LI and HI districts.
Because the use is permitted by right in those four districts, a farmer keeping or grazing animals, growing field crops, or running a dairy on qualifying land does not need a special exception, site plan review, or Board of Zoning Appeals hearing before starting or continuing the activity. C's use classification defines Crop and Animal Raising broadly, covering the raising of tree, vine, field and forage crops and the keeping, grazing or feeding of animals for animal products or increase, while excluding facilities for processing, packaging or treating agricultural products, which fall under a separate commercial classification.
f exempts private barns, stables, sheds and other farm buildings used exclusively for agricultural activities on Agricultural Land from ordinary accessory-structure limits, in every district.
Violations & Fines
There is no permit or violation exposure for the core farming use itself, since Crop & Animal Raising is permitted by right in AR, RP, RR and SR. A landowner who instead builds a nonfarm structure or runs a prohibited commercial use on agriculturally zoned land is subject to the resolution's standard misdemeanor penalty under Section 1413.D: up to $50 per day, enforced by the Director of Building & Codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to raise animals or crops on my Sumner County property?
What is the Agricultural Reserve (AR) district for?
Can I build a barn without going through normal accessory-structure review?
Does this protection cover a farm stand or processing building?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sumner County
Compare Sumner County to another location·View the Tennessee right to farm overview
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