Rapid City, SD Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- District purpose
- Protect farmland until urbanization warranted
- Hog limit under 40 acres
- Hogs prohibited
- Hog limit 40+ acres
- 20 grain-fed or 3 garbage-fed hogs
- Hog setback
- 200 feet from property line
- Quarry CUP cap
- 36 months, 5-year outside limit
- Governing sections
- §§ 17.34.010, .020, .030
Summary
Rapid City's GAD General Agricultural District is built to hold urban-fringe land in farming until development is warranted rather than to let it sit at a lower standard. Rapid City Municipal Code section 17.34.010 designs the district to encourage and protect agricultural uses until urbanization is warranted, and section 17.34.020 permits crops and limited livestock by right.
This district is intended to provide for land situated on the fringe of the urban area that is used for agricultural purposes, but will be undergoing urbanization in the future. ... It is not intended that this district provide a location for a lower standard of residential, commercial or industrial development than is authorized in other districts. The types of uses, area and intensity of use of land which is authorized in this district is designed to encourage and protect agricultural uses until urbanization is warranted and the appropriate change in district classification is made. ... ... E. The raising of farm animals, but not the operation of commercial feed pens for livestock. On all tracts of land containing less than 40 acres, the raising of hogs shall be prohibited. And on all other tracts of 40 acres or more, the number of hogs shall not exceed 20 grain-fed or 3 garbage-fed hogs. Hogs shall not be located closer than 200 feet from the property line of the tract on which they are located;
Full Breakdown
010 sets out the Common Council's intent for the GAD district: it covers land situated on the fringe of the urban area that is used for agricultural purposes but will be undergoing urbanization in the future, and it is not intended that this district provide a location for a lower standard of residential, commercial or industrial development than is authorized in other districts. Instead, the zoning is designed to encourage and protect agricultural uses until urbanization is warranted and the appropriate change in district classification is made.
020 permits agricultural crops and the raising of farm animals, but not the operation of commercial feed pens for livestock, as of-right uses, alongside detached single-family homes, churches, schools, golf courses and country clubs without on-sale liquor. Hog-raising is capped by lot size: on tracts under 40 acres, hogs are prohibited outright, and on tracts of 40 acres or more, the limit is 20 grain-fed hogs or 3 garbage-fed hogs, with hogs kept at least 200 feet from the property line. 020(M). 030(Q)(6).
Violations & Fines
Farming or building in the GAD district outside what sections 17.34.020 and 17.34.030 permit, including exceeding the hog limits or running a conditional use like a temporary quarry without a permit, is a Title 17 zoning violation under section 17.54.070: a fine set by City Council resolution plus the cost of the action, with each day of violation a separate offense, enforceable by injunction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rapid City have a right-to-farm law protecting agricultural land?
How many hogs can I raise on agricultural-zoned land in Rapid City?
What other farm-related uses need a special permit in the GAD district?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rapid City
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