Jackson County, MO Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum AG tract size
- 10 acres or more
- Poultry setback
- 50 ft, +10 ft per 100 birds over 250
- Feedlots
- Commercial feedlots excluded
- Scope
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Unincorporated Jackson County protects farmland through an Agricultural District (AG) zone reserved for tracts of 10+ acres devoted to crop farming, livestock and open-space uses, buffering them from adjacent development.
The Agricultural District (AG) is intended to help retain large tracts of land for agricultural purposes and to minimize conflicts between agricultural uses and adjacent development. The principal purpose of this district is to provide for large tracts of open land (10 acres or more) devoted to active agricultural and open space uses, including crop farming, animal raising, pasture and woodlands with related residential and farm structures and equipment. This district is appropriate in the Rural Development Tier depicted on the Development Diagram (Exhibit VI.3) of the Master Plan. The AG District also may apply to tracts of land within the Suburban Tier, when compatible with adjacent land uses. Land in the AG District should be served at rural levels of service.
#20325 Effective June 1, 1995
b. Permitted Uses. The following uses are authorized as permitted uses subject to any conditions established in these district provisions:
1. Agricultural uses, including general farming, ranching, animal breeding, horticulture, orchards and vineyards, but not including poultry farms or the feeding or disposal of garbage or waste.
2. Aviaries.
3. Bee keeping.
Full Breakdown
The UDC's AG District (Section 24004.2) is built around 10-acre-plus tracts kept in active farming, ranching, orchards, or pasture, with farm dwellings and equipment permitted outright. General farming, livestock raising (except commercial feedlots), beekeeping, aviaries and crop harvesting are permitted uses needing no special approval. Poultry farms are allowed but enclosures must sit back 50 feet from every property line, plus 10 more feet for each 100 birds over 250. This district applies only in unincorporated Jackson County. Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Raytown and Grandview zone under their own municipal codes.
Violations & Fines
Developing or using AG-zoned land outside the permitted and conditional use lists without UDC approval is a zoning violation subject to enforcement by the County's Public Works/Planning Division and correction orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this AG zoning apply inside Kansas City?
Can I keep chickens on AG-zoned land?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jackson County
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