Walker County, GA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

Section 22-147(b)(9) defines the General agricultural use category that anchors the A-1 district: croplands, pastures, aquaculture and feedlots, along with buildings accessory to those uses, are included, though the category excludes processing or distribution plants for agricultural products. Low density residential use is allowed alongside the farming use per the tables in sections 22-148 and 22-149, and commercial livestock operations, including riding stables and schools, are allowed on 10 acres or more, provided a 400-foot buffer separates the stable area from any adjoining residential property line.

The zoning also protects existing agricultural operations from residential encroachment: section 22-184(f) requires a 400-foot buffer or setback between any residential or commercial structure and the nearest point of a feedlot, poultry, hog or dairy operation within an A-1 district, and that buffer land can still be used for other general or low-intensity farming. Critically, the farm operator, owner, or a residence provided to an employee is exempt from that 400-foot setback, so a farm family can live on the working land itself. Section 22-184(e) adds a parallel 400-foot buffer or setback between the A-1 district as a whole and adjoining R-1, R-2, R-3, C-1 and CN zoned property, with a 200-foot vegetative buffer required within A-1 itself.

Feedlot, poultry, hog or dairy operations already active when a buffer amendment takes effect can rebuild on their existing footprint after a fire or disaster without losing their setback status, per section 22-184(j).