Newark, OH Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

Chapter 1247 of the Newark Code of Ordinances creates the AD Agricultural District in the City of Newark, Ohio, and § 1247.01 states its purpose: an area for small scale agricultural and animal husbandry uses and for uses best served by open space. Section 1247.02 lists the permitted uses. Any customary agricultural use is permitted, provided that all buildings used for agricultural purposes do not exceed a combined total floor area of 20,000 square feet. The list also covers forestry, plant nurseries, greenhouses and garden centers, campgrounds, cemeteries, churches, and single-family dwellings on lots of five acres or more with non-commercial barns or stables totaling less than 20,000 square feet as accessory buildings.

Section 1247.05 requires accessory structures to be set back a minimum of 100 feet from any property line and leaves their number unlimited. Section 1247.08 keeps structures at least fifty feet from any existing or proposed public right-of-way and thirty feet from any side or rear lot line, and § 1247.07 caps structure height at forty feet. Under § 1247.06(b), the district prohibits the sale or display for sale of more than five vehicles in any twelve-month period, the long-term parking or storage of vehicle(s) associated with a business, and the repeated repair of vehicles not owned by the occupant.

Conditional uses authorized by the Board under Chapter 1234 include rifle ranges and gun clubs not closer than 500 feet from any R-District, commercial mining under Ohio Department of Natural Resources rules, and a home business. Section 1247.13 notes that deed restrictions and covenants can add further restrictions.