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Josephine County, OR Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Farm zones: Exclusive Farm (EF) and Farm Resource (FR)
Governing chapter: Rural Land Development Code, Chapter 19.64 JCC
Basic zones countywide: 13 zones listed in § 19.60.020
Permit required: Development permit under Chapter 19.41 JCC
State framework: ORS Chapter 215 and Statewide Planning Goal 3

Summary

In rural Josephine County outside the Grants Pass and Cave Junction urban growth boundaries, the Rural Land Development Code zones farmland under two dedicated agricultural designations, Exclusive Farm (EF) and Farm Resource (FR), listed among the county's 13 basic zones. These EF and FR zones anchor the farm-use rules in Chapter 19.64 JCC, keeping productive agricultural land under Oregon's statewide farm-zoning framework instead of residential subdivision.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Josephine County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

ZONE MAP SYMBOL ... Exclusive Farm EF Farm Resources FR

View official code

Full Breakdown

5, RR-5), Rural Commercial, Rural Industrial, Forest Commercial, Woodlot Resource, Aggregate Resource, Mineral and Aggregate Resource, Serpentine and Limited Development. 41 JCC. 010 states the purpose is to preserve agricultural land most appropriate for farm use, implementing the uses authorized by ORS Chapter 215 and complying with Statewide Planning Goal 3 for farmland. 45 JCC. 050 confines each use to the portion of the parcel where that zone allows it and requires any split to meet farm-zone minimum parcel sizes. 41 JCC.

Violations & Fines

Building, dividing, or changing the use of EF- or FR-zoned land without the ministerial or quasi-judicial review Chapter 19.22 JCC requires, or without the development permit Chapter 19.41 JCC requires, is a code violation Planning can act on directly, including ordering removal of unpermitted structures or uses. A use listed only as conditional under § 19.64.040 that proceeds without conditional-use approval under Chapter 19.45 JCC is likewise unauthorized and subject to enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Exclusive Farm and Farm Resource zones?

Both are listed as separate basic zones under § 19.60.020 of the Rural Land Development Code, mapped with the symbols EF and FR. Chapter 19.64 JCC applies the same farm-use purpose, outright-use and conditional-use rules to both, so the practical difference lies in which parcels the county's zoning map assigns to each designation rather than in separate use standards.

Can I find out which zone my property carries?

Yes. § 19.60.040 ties every zone's rules to how land is mapped on the county's official zoning map, so Josephine County Planning or the county GIS system can confirm whether a parcel is zoned EF, FR, or one of the county's other basic zones before you apply for a permit.

Do I need a permit to farm land zoned EF or FR?

No. § 19.64.020 lists agriculture, farming and farm use as an outright use in the farm zones, meaning no permit or authorization is required to conduct the use itself, though any structure built for it still needs a development permit under Chapter 19.41 JCC.

Sources & Official References

[1]Josephine County Code §§ 19.60.020, 19.64.010

Other rules in Josephine County

Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome Restrictions Farm Nuisance ProtectionSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningLight Restrictions

All Josephine County rules

Compare Josephine County to another location·View the Oregon right to farm overview

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