Palm Bay, FL Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitted districts
- GU and RR only
- Ag product sales
- Conditional use, § 174.032
- Governing table
- LDC § 173.021, Table 173-1
- Other districts
- Agriculture is prohibited
Summary
Palm Bay allows agriculture only in the General Use (GU) and Rural Residential (RR) zoning districts, where farming is a by-right use; selling farm products there requires a conditional use permit.
USE See Section GU RR RE SRE RS-1 RS-2 RS-3 RT-10 RMH RM-15 RM-20
AGRICULTURE USES Agriculture P P Agricultural 174.032 C C products sales Keeping or raising for sale of horses, ponies, cows and other livestock provided that P P the total of all such animals shall not exceed one (1) for each one-half (0.5) acre of lot
area.
Keeping or raising for sale of small P P domestic animals, birds
or fish.
Keeping or raising for sale of small farm animals, such as goats, chickens, pigs, and other small animals typically P found on a farm, provided the total of all such animals shall not exceed five (5) for each one-half (0.5) acre of lot area.(4) RESIDENTIAL USES Accessory 174.003 P P P P P P P P P P P dwelling units Assisted living P facilities, Large Assisted living P P P P P P P facilities, Small Cluster 173.030 C C C subdivision Community residential P P P P P P P homes Duplexes P P Group homes P P P P P P P Mobile home 173.033 P parks Mobile home 173.033 P subdivisions
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-41: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 2026-13, passed 5-21-26).
Full Breakdown
The Land Development Code's use table (LDC § 173.021, Table 173-1) lists 'Agriculture' as a permitted use only in the General Use (GU) and Rural Residential (RR) zoning districts, the city's two lowest-density districts. Every other residential and commercial district leaves the Agriculture use blank, meaning it is prohibited there. 'Agricultural products sales' is listed as a conditional use in the same two districts, cross-referenced to LDC § 174.032, so a farm stand needs conditional use approval even where crop and livestock farming is allowed by right. The Rural Residential district is separately defined to combine single-family homes with limited agricultural activities.
Violations & Fines
Farming or building outside GU/RR, or selling farm products without conditional use approval, can draw a stop-work order and a Code Enforcement Board case, with fines accruing daily under the city's general penalty, § 10.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep farm animals or grow crops for sale on my Palm Bay property?
Do I need a permit to sell produce grown at home in Palm Bay?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Bay
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Bay 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.