Springfield, MO Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- City Code § 18-16
- Minimum farm size
- 10 acres
- Setback from nonfarm homes
- 300 feet
- Applies in
- zones allowing agricultural uses
Summary
Springfield, Missouri exempts farms of ten acres or more in agriculturally zoned districts from the city's standard livestock area limits, provided animals stay 300 feet from non-farm homes.
Notwithstanding any other section of this Code to the contrary, hogs, swine, pigs or livestock may be kept on a farm in any zone in which agricultural uses are allowed pursuant to the city zoning ordinance of ten acres or more; provided, however, that hogs, swine, pigs or livestock shall be kept at least 300 feet from any inhabited nonfarm dwelling, school, church, or property zoned for single-family dwelling purposes, two-family dwelling purposes or multifamily dwelling purposes. The provisions of section 18-14 pertaining to minimum area required for the keeping of livestock shall not apply to any zone in which agricultural uses are allowed pursuant to the city zoning ordinance, provided the farm is ten acres or more.
(Code 1981, § 5-10.5)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 2 | Land Development Code: Supplement 9 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 18-16 lets hogs, swine, pigs, or livestock be kept on a farm of ten acres or more in any Springfield zoning district where agricultural uses are allowed, notwithstanding the general keeping-of-livestock restrictions in § 18-14. The tradeoff is distance rather than density: livestock must stay at least 300 feet from any inhabited nonfarm dwelling, school, church, or property zoned single-family, two-family, or multifamily residential. This is a local zoning carve-out tied to the city's own zoning ordinance, not a freestanding state right-to-farm claim.
Violations & Fines
Keeping livestock on agriculturally zoned land closer than 300 feet to a nonfarm dwelling, school, or church loses the exemption and falls back under § 18-14's general livestock restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Springfield, Missouri have a right-to-farm ordinance?
Do small residential lots get this exemption?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
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