Olmsted County, MN Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- District
- A-1 Agricultural Protection
- Farm dwelling minimum
- 80 contiguous acres
- Permitted feedlot cap
- 1,000 animal units
- Applies only in
- Eyota, Marion, Oronoco, Quincy townships
- Second dwelling threshold
- farm over 80 acres
- Penalty
- misdemeanor, per-day offense
Summary
Olmsted County's A-1 Agricultural Protection District, the county's primary farmland zone in the unincorporated area, limits development to protect long-term farming. One farm dwelling is allowed per farm of at least 80 acres, one non-farm home on a qualifying non-farm lot, and general farming is a permitted use, not a conditional one.
The purpose of this district is to maintain, conserve and enhance agricultural land, and natural habitat for plant and animal life. This district is intended to encourage long term agricultural uses and preserve prime agricultural farmland by restricting the location and density of non-farm dwellings and other non-farm land uses. ... a) Farm: One farm dwelling may be located on a farm. The definition of a farm for this district is "a lot used for agricultural or horticultural uses and comprised of either at least eighty (80) acres or two (2) contiguous and undivided quarter quarter sections, including the abutting public road right-of-way, if any." ... A second farm dwelling or mobile home may be placed on the same farmstead as another when the ownership of such farm exceeds a size of eighty (80) acres of contiguous land and provided that the residents of both dwellings are owners, operators or employees of said farm.
Full Breakdown
" A-1 applies only in the unincorporated area the county zones directly: Eyota, Marion, Oronoco and Quincy townships (Ch. 04 limits the whole ordinance to land "outside the incorporated limits of municipalities"); other townships zone through the Township Cooperative Planning Association or their own ordinances, and cities such as Rochester and Stewartville run separate codes entirely. Within A-1, one farm dwelling is permitted on a farm defined as at least 80 contiguous acres (or two contiguous quarter-quarter sections); one non-farm dwelling is permitted on a qualifying non-farm lot; and a second farm dwelling or mobile home can go on the same farmstead once the farm exceeds 80 acres, provided residents of both homes are owners, operators or employees of the farm. 26). 02, which weighs traffic, drainage and prime farmland with a crop equivalent rating of 60 or above.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of the zoning ordinance, including building or expanding a use in the A-1 district without the required permit, is a misdemeanor under Ch. 1400 § 3.10: "Each day that violation is committed or permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense." The County may also pursue civil remedies or after-the-fact permit orders, and a fine does not excuse bringing the use into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this A-1 zoning apply to my township?
How many dwellings can I put on a farm?
Can I run a feedlot in the A-1 district without a permit?
What happens if I violate the zoning ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Olmsted County
Compare Olmsted County to another location·View the Minnesota right to farm overview
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