Maricopa County, AZ Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Farms permitted by right
- Rural-190, RU-70, RU-43 districts
- Purpose clause
- prevent urban/agricultural land-use conflicts
- Farm animal cap
- none in Rural zoning districts
- Outside listed districts
- requires POD approval
Summary
Unincorporated Maricopa County's Rural zoning districts exist specifically to conserve farmland and prevent conflicts between agricultural and urban uses, with farms permitted by right.
The principal purpose of these zoning districts is to conserve and protect farms and other open land uses, foster orderly growth in rural areas, prevent urban and agricultural land use conflicts, and encourage sustainable development. ... Principal uses permitted in these zoning districts include both farm and non-farm residential uses, farms and recreational and institutional uses.
Full Breakdown
The Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance sets the principal purpose of the RURAL-190, RURAL-70 and RURAL-43 zoning districts as conserving farms and open land, and preventing urban/agricultural land-use conflicts. The Chapter 6 use table confirms this: "Farms" are a permitted (P) principal use outright in Rural-190, RU-70 and RU-43, plus POD (Planned Overlay District) approval opens them to two additional districts. Corrals for horses, community gardens and agricultural equipment storage are likewise allowed across nearly every residential district, and rural districts carry no cap on the number of farm animals kept.
Violations & Fines
Operating a commercial farm use in a zoning district outside those listed in the Chapter 6 use table without the required POD (Planned Overlay District) approval is a zoning violation, enforceable by the Maricopa County Planning & Development Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a farm on Rural-zoned land in unincorporated Maricopa County?
Is there a limit on farm animals on rural county land?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Maricopa County
Compare Maricopa County to another location·View the Arizona right to farm overview
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