Richland, WA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Agricultural zones
- AG and SAG, RMC Ch. 23.14
- AG minimum lot area
- 5 acres
- SAG minimum lot area
- 43,560 square feet
- Livestock structure setback, AG
- 25 ft from lot line, 40 ft from dwelling
- SAG livestock density
- 2 animal units per gross pasture acre
Summary
The City of Richland, Washington maintains two agricultural zones under RMC Chapter 23.14: the AG agricultural district for open land uses like grazing and part-time farming, and the SAG suburban agricultural district for larger rural-style residential lots that can keep livestock. Neither district creates a nuisance-immunity right-to-farm law; standards instead come from the chapter's own performance rules.
The agricultural use district (AG) is a primary zone classification permitting essentially open land uses such as grazing lands or pasture, agriculture, and development of part-time small tract farming and other compatible uses of an open nature such as a cemetery, park, and recreational or similar uses on land which has favorable combinations of slope, climate, availability of water, or soil conditions. ... The suburban agricultural use district (SAG) is a zone classification providing for residential areas, rural in nature, with sufficiently large lots to allow for the maintenance of certain animals and farm crops, while at the same time establishing and maintaining a living environment of high standards for residential uses.
Full Breakdown
RMC § 23.14.010 sets the purpose of Richland's two agricultural classifications. The AG district permits essentially open land uses: grazing lands or pasture, agriculture, part-time small tract farming, cemeteries, parks and similar open-nature uses on land with favorable slope, climate, water or soil conditions, and the city applies it to areas its comprehensive plan designates agriculture or urban reserve. The SAG district is described as rural in nature, sized to let residents keep certain animals and farm crops while still holding a high-standard living environment, and applies to areas designated low-density residential, zero to five dwellings per acre.
RMC § 23.14.020 backs the zoning purpose with performance standards: a structure or pen housing livestock in AG must sit at least 25 feet from any lot line and 40 feet from any one-family dwelling, and a pasture, including its perimeter fence, must stay at least 15 feet from a one-family dwelling on the same lot. SAG limits large livestock, including horses, cattle, sheep and goats, to two animal units per gross pasture acre, an animal unit equal to about 1,000 pounds of animal weight.
RMC § 23.14.040's dimensional table sets a 5-acre minimum lot in AG against 43,560 square feet in SAG, with a 30-foot main-building height cap and 20 percent maximum lot coverage applying in SAG.
Violations & Fines
A use or structure that departs from the AG or SAG standards in RMC §§ 23.14.020 and 23.14.040 is enforced as a Title 23 civil infraction under RMC § 23.70.270. Development Services issues a notice of civil violation carrying a minimum $50.00 penalty, up to $500.00 per violation per day and capped at $5,000.00 under RMC § 10.02.050(E), with a third violation at the same site within two years becoming a misdemeanor under RMC § 1.30.010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Richland have a right-to-farm law protecting agricultural uses from nuisance complaints?
What is the difference between Richland's AG and SAG zones?
How far must a livestock barn sit from a neighboring house in Richland's AG zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richland
Compare Richland to another location·View the Washington right to farm overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.