Sangamon County, IL Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Agriculture use
- Permitted by right, no hearing
- District origin
- Adopted 1969, amended since
- Conditional farm uses
- Grain elevators, feed sales, auctions
- Scope
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Sangamon County's A Agricultural District makes farming a permitted use by right across unincorporated ag-zoned land, alongside a long list of farm-support uses: no conditional-use hearing needed just to farm.
Permitted uses in the A district are: Agriculture ... Home occupations ... Single-family residences ... Truck gardening ... Waterworks Accessory uses—incidental to the above uses.
Full Breakdown
Title 17's A Agricultural District, in place since 1969, lists 'Agriculture' first among its permitted uses, no conditional-use permit or public hearing required, alongside farm-supporting activities like truck gardening, grain hauling, water well drilling and manufactured homes for farm workers. Uses that intensify the operation, such as auction and wholesale livestock sales, grain elevators, feed sales or riding stables, are conditional permitted uses requiring county approval. The district's zoning covers only unincorporated Sangamon County; it doesn't reach land inside Springfield, Chatham or the county's other incorporated municipalities, which zone themselves.
Violations & Fines
Operating a use not on the A district's permitted or conditional list without zoning approval is a zoning violation enforceable under Title 17's administration and penalty chapters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit just to farm on A-zoned land?
Does the A Agricultural District apply inside Springfield?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sangamon County
Compare Sangamon County to another location·View the Illinois right to farm overview
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