Sparks, NV Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

003 establishes two agricultural zoning districts, A-40 and A-5, intended as a holding pattern for land not yet ready for urban development. The purpose language is explicit: these districts accommodate existing farming, ranching or grazing activities until infrastructure becomes available for higher-intensity urban uses, with conversion timing guided by the land-use designations in the City of Sparks Master Plan. The dimensional standards table sets a 40-acre minimum lot size in A-40 and a 5-acre minimum in A-5, with maximum lot coverage capped at 2% in A-40 and 10% in A-5, reflecting the low-density, working-land character of both districts.

Lot frontage runs 500 feet minimum in A-40 versus 150 feet in A-5, and lot width 1,000 feet versus 150 feet. Setbacks for principal buildings are 30 feet front/exterior side and 100 feet side in A-40 (20 feet and 10 feet in A-5), with a uniform 40-foot rear setback in both. Structure height is capped at 35 feet for both residential and non-residential buildings, rising to 60 feet for non-residential structures approved under a Special Use Permit. 003(C) adds two regulations specific to farm operations: barns, stables and other structures housing livestock must sit at least 50 feet from any property line, and fenced pastures, paddocks or other enclosed livestock areas must be set back at least 5 feet from any property line. The district was adopted by Ordinance 2512 on August 24, 2015, as part of the city's comprehensive zoning code rewrite.