Midland, TX Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Agricultural use districts
- AE and CE only
- AE District minimum lot
- 2 acres
- Commercial ag tract minimum
- 5 acres
- On-site retail sales
- Not permitted
- Zoning violation fine
- Up to $2,000/day
Summary
Midland's zoning code confines agricultural use, farms, ranches, stables, orchards, and plant nurseries, to the AE Agricultural Estate and CE Country Estate districts, and caps commercial agriculture at a five-acre minimum with no on-site retail sales.
Agricultural Use Standards for Select Zoning Districts. Commercial farm, ranch, stable, garden, orchard or plant nursery, on a tract of five acres or more (unless permitted on a smaller tract by approval of a Specific Use Designation) area permitted provided no retail sales are conducted from the premises.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 1 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
The Zoning Ordinance's Use Chart (§ 11-1-4.03, Row 15) permits 'Agricultural Use' only in the AE, Agricultural Estate District and CE, Country Estate District: both reserved for large-lot, rural-setting development, with the AE District's purpose statement (§ 11-1-3.04(A)) requiring lots of at least two acres and expressly providing 'a location for agricultural uses.' Under the Additional Development Standards (§ 11-1-4.04(A)(4)), a commercial farm, ranch, stable, garden, orchard, or plant nursery is permitted only on a tract of five acres or more (or on a smaller tract with an approved Specific Use Designation), and no retail sales may be conducted from the premises.
Violations & Fines
Running an agricultural use outside the AE/CE districts, on an undersized commercial tract, or with on-site retail sales is a zoning violation, fined up to $2,000 per day under § 11-1-1.06.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in Midland can I legally run a farm or ranch?
Can I sell produce directly from my farm in Midland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Midland
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Midland to another location·View the Texas right to farm overview
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