Melbourne, FL Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- District
- AEU, Agricultural Estate Use
- Minimum lot size
- 2.5 acres
- Horses/sheep cap
- 4 per acre, noncommercial only
- Hog farm minimum
- 10 contiguous acres, conditional use
- Veterinary clinics/kennels
- 300 ft from residential lots
- Governing section
- Appendix B, Art. V, § 2(E)
Summary
Melbourne protects agricultural land use through its AEU, Agricultural Estate Use, district, a 2.5-acre-minimum zone that permits farming, animal grazing and farm stands by right while capping livestock density and requiring extra acreage or setbacks for hog farms, veterinary clinics and kennels.
(E)Standards for AEU—Agricultural Estate Use, Single-Family Residential District.(1)Principal uses and structures.(a)Agricultural pursuits, including the raising and grazing of animals and fowl, and the packing, processing, and sales of commodities raised on the premises...(2)Accessory uses and structures...(d)The keeping of horses and sheep, not to exceed four per acre, and limited to the personal, noncommercial use of the occupant of the property...(3)Conditional uses permissible by the city council...(h)Hog farm. A minimum of ten contiguous acres is required before a hog farm may be considered for approval as a conditional use (see definition of "hog farm").
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32).
Full Breakdown
Appendix B, article V, § 2(E) sets the standards for AEU, described in article III, § 2(A) as land 'devoted to agricultural pursuits and single-family residential development of spacious character,' intended to mirror Brevard County's rural AU district. As a principal use, AEU permits agricultural pursuits, including the raising and grazing of animals and fowl, and the packing, processing, and sales of commodities raised on the premises, without a conditional use hearing, along with single-family homes, farmer's stands and plant nurseries. Accessory uses include barns and the keeping of horses and sheep, capped at four per acre for personal, noncommercial use.
More intensive agricultural operations need a conditional use permit from the city council: a hog farm requires a minimum of ten contiguous acres, boarding horses for hire needs at least five acres, and a farmers' market must keep all sales booths and trucks at least 50 feet from road rights-of-way and 30 feet from other property lines. 5-acre site. 5-acre minimum lot size under Table 2A, among the largest minimums in the city, which keeps agricultural parcels large enough to buffer neighbors from farm operations.
Violations & Fines
Operating a use AEU doesn't list, such as a hog farm under ten acres or a horse-boarding operation without the conditional use permit, is a zoning violation enforceable under appendix B, article X. The city can deny or revoke a building permit, and the code enforcement/special magistrate process can impose fines for maintaining an unpermitted agricultural use or exceeding the four-per-acre horse and sheep limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I farm commercially on AEU-zoned land in Melbourne?
How many horses can I keep on my AEU property?
Does Melbourne have a general right-to-farm ordinance protecting all farms citywide?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Melbourne
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Melbourne to another location·View the Florida right to farm overview
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Agricultural Zoning Protection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Brevard County handle agricultural zoning protection.