Lewis County, WA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- ARL minimum lot size
- 20 acres for new subdivisions
- Clustered subdivision exception
- Chapter 16.18 LCC standards
- Farmland of Local Importance
- Voluntary, no minimum acreage
- Commitment period
- 10 years, renewable
- Error correction
- Type V redesignation application
Summary
Unincorporated Lewis County protects farmland through an Agricultural Resource Lands (ARL) designation with a 20-acre minimum lot size for new subdivisions, plus a voluntary Farmland of Local Importance overlay for smaller working farms that owners can opt into for a 10-year commitment.
The minimum lot area for the subdivision of agricultural resource lands shall be 20 acres; provided, however, that a clustered residential subdivision may be approved under the following circumstances: (a) The proposal is consistent with the standards in Chapter 16.18 LCC and the standards for incidental residential use consistent with LCC § 17.30.630.
Full Breakdown
30, Article V governs Agricultural Resource Lands (ARL) in unincorporated Lewis County. 650 sets the baseline: the minimum lot area for any new subdivision, short subdivision, large-lot subdivision or exempt segregation of ARL property is 20 acres. 370. 570 creates a 'Farmland of Local Importance' overlay for parcels that do not meet the county's designated commercial farmland threshold: a landowner can voluntarily petition the board of county commissioners for the designation, with no minimum acreage requirement, but must show the property meets the USDA Farm Service Agency's definition of commercial agriculture and commit to remain in the designation for 10 years, renewable at the end of the term. 158 LCC for residential, recreational or other nonresource uses. 600. 42 LCC.
Violations & Fines
Subdividing or developing Agricultural Resource Land below the 20-acre minimum lot area, or without the required Chapter 16.18 LCC clustering approval, is a civil infraction under LCC § 17.07.010, enforced through Chapter 1.20 LCC's code enforcement program with each day of noncompliance a separate offense, and the Lewis County prosecuting attorney may also sue to abate the violation as a public nuisance under LCC § 17.07.020.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the minimum lot size to subdivide farmland in unincorporated Lewis County?
Can a smaller farm get agricultural protections in Lewis County?
My land was mapped as Agricultural Resource Land but the soil data is wrong. What can I do?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lewis County
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