Story County, IA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Exempt
- land, farm houses, barns, outbuildings in ag use
- Still applies
- Chapter 87 land division rules
- Still applies
- Chapter 80 floodplain rules
- Statutory basis
- Iowa Code § 335.37
- Non-ag structures
- fall under A-1/A-2 zoning standards
Summary
Land, farmhouses, farm barns, and farm outbuildings used for agricultural purposes in unincorporated Story County are exempt from the county's zoning and land development regulations, under Code of Ordinances § 85.07(1), except to the extent Iowa Code § 335.37 requires county regulation.
1. Agricultural Exemption. Except to the extent required to implement Section 335.37, Code of Iowa, no regulations adopted under the Ordinance apply to land, farm houses, farm barns, farm outbuildings, or other buildings or structures that are primarily adapted, by reason of nature and area, for use for agricultural purposes, while so used.
Full Breakdown
Story County's Land Development Regulations open with a broad carve-out for farming. 37 requires the County to regulate them. 07 makes clear the carve-out is not absolute: exempt uses still must meet Chapter 87's land division requirements and the Floodplain Management Ordinance in Chapter 80, so subdividing farmland or building in a mapped flood zone still triggers County review even on agricultural property. Two other exemptions sit in the same section: land uses cannot be regulated in a way that violates the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000, and public utility poles, towers, wires, and water, sewer, or gas lines are exempt from the Ordinance's type and location controls, as are County, state, and federal road projects on public right-of-way.
Outside these exemptions, farmland that is rezoned or developed for non-agricultural use, such as a rural residence or agribusiness use, falls under the A-1 Agricultural District or A-2 Agribusiness District bulk and use standards in Chapter 86.
Violations & Fines
Because Section 85.07 exempts qualifying agricultural land and buildings outright, there's no permit or zoning violation to enforce against a genuine farm use. Once a property or structure stops being used for agricultural purposes covered by the exemption, or a farmstead is subdivided in violation of Chapter 87, it becomes subject to the Land Development Regulations, and noncompliance is a county infraction under Section 93.03: up to $750 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for each repeat offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my farmhouse need a zoning permit?
Can I subdivide farmland without following county rules?
What if I stop farming the exempt property?
Does the floodplain ordinance still apply to farm buildings?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Story County
Compare Story County to another location·View the Iowa right to farm overview
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