Palm Beach Gardens, FL Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- AR district
- Sec. 78-133, min. 5-acre lots, 10% lot coverage
- AE district
- Sec. 78-133.1, min. 2.5-acre lots, 20% lot coverage
- RR 10/20 district
- Sec. 78-133.2, limited agriculture with residential use
- Location rule
- Outside the city's Urban Growth Boundary
- Agriculture standards
- Sec. 78-159(65), livestock and light manufacturing rules
Summary
Palm Beach Gardens protects its rural fringe with two dedicated agricultural zoning districts. Sec. 78-133 creates the Agricultural Residential (AR) district on large lots outside the Urban Growth Boundary to preserve rural character and allow agricultural uses, while Sec. 78-133.1 creates the Agricultural Estate (AE) district as a transition zone between agriculture and more urban residential neighborhoods, both governed by Table 10's property development standards.
(a)Composition, intent, and compatibility of uses. The AR district is composed primarily of areas containing existing agricultural and residential uses on large lots. The district regulations are designed to protect the rural character of the area by allowing agricultural uses, as well as the lifestyle and quality of life of the residents. The AR district is intended to be rural in nature and, as such, shall be located outside the Urban Growth Boundary. ... (a)Composition, intent, and compatibility of uses. The AE district is to provide a transition between the agricultural and conservation areas and more urban residential communities and to create a residential environment wherein natural constraints applicable to development are recognized and protected in a manner compatible with the needs of residents. The AE district is intended to be rural in nature and, as such, shall be located outside the Urban Growth Boundary.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 78-133 establishes the AR, Agricultural Residential district as land 'composed primarily of areas containing existing agricultural and residential uses on large lots,' with regulations 'designed to protect the rural character of the area by allowing agricultural uses, as well as the lifestyle and quality of life of the residents,' and requires that the district 'be located outside the Urban Growth Boundary.' Sec. 78-133.1 creates the companion AE, Agricultural Estate district 'to provide a transition between the agricultural and conservation areas and more urban residential communities,' also located outside the Urban Growth Boundary.
A related district, RR 10/20 Rural Residential under Sec. 78-133.2, is 'designed to encourage limited agricultural uses to coexist with residential uses' while directing more compact growth toward the city's eastern areas and preventing urban sprawl. All three districts set their permitted uses in Table 21's chart of uses and their lot area, coverage, setback, and height standards in Table 10, which gives AR and AE the largest minimum site areas in the city, five acres and 2.5 acres respectively for a single-family dwelling, and the lowest maximum lot coverage, 10 and 20 percent.
Sec. 78-159(65) then layers the actual agricultural use standards onto these districts, confirming that agriculture, defined to include growing and harvesting crops and raising livestock, is permitted only in the AR and AE districts and can qualify for Bona Fide Agriculture status under Florida Statutes Chapter 193.461, which the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser determines. The city's own fertilizer ordinance separately exempts bona fide farm operations covered by the Florida Right-to-Farm Act from its residential fertilizer application restrictions.
Violations & Fines
Using AR or AE land for agriculture without following Sec. 78-159(65)'s domestic livestock, light manufacturing, or storage standards, such as skipping the five-acre minimum for exotic animal care or the required screening for agricultural storage, is a zoning violation enforceable through chapter 2's code enforcement process. Because agriculture is permitted only in AR and AE under Sec. 78-133 and Sec. 78-133.1, running a farming operation on land zoned RE, RL, or RM is also a direct district violation, regardless of how the use standards inside those two agricultural districts are met.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in Palm Beach Gardens is agricultural zoning available?
What is the difference between the AR and AE districts?
Does Palm Beach Gardens have its own right-to-farm ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach Gardens
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach Gardens to another location·View the Florida right to farm overview
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Agricultural Zoning Protection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Palm Beach County handle agricultural zoning protection.