Williamson County, TN Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- District
- Voluntary Agricultural District (A)
- Purpose
- Protect county's agricultural industry, Sec. 10.02(A)
- Minimum lot size
- 15 acres, Table 10.02-1
- Setbacks
- 100 ft front/rear, 50 ft side
- Max height
- Not applicable in A district
- Rezoning
- Only owner/agent may request A district
Summary
Williamson County protects farming through a dedicated Voluntary Agricultural District (A) rather than a nuisance-immunity statute. Section 10.02(A) states the district's purpose is to protect the county's agricultural industry by allowing a broad range of rural economy and farm uses, with 15-acre minimum lots keeping residential density low enough that new houses cannot crowd working farmland.
The primary purpose of the Voluntary Agricultural District (A) is to provide for areas in the County where the primary use of the land is in support of rural economy uses, with residential uses allowed secondarily in a form and context that is consistent with the general open and rural character of the rural economy uses. Furthermore, it is the intent of this district to protect the agricultural industry of Williamson County by allowing for a broader range of rural economy uses, including traditional and new agricultural uses (agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry), agriculture support and basic services directly associated with on-going agricultural activities, and low impact non-rural uses that can be developed in ways that are consistent with the rural character of the rural economy uses through mitigation or other standards.
Full Breakdown
02(A)(1)(b) requires that only the property owner, or an agent the owner authorizes, may apply to rezone land into it. 02-1 backs the purpose language with numbers: minimum lot area is 15 acres for both residential and nonresidential structures, minimum lot width is 200 feet, front and rear setbacks run 100 feet, side setbacks run 50 feet, and the table lists 'Not Applicable' for maximum height, meaning the district sets no story or foot ceiling on farm structures. Because those standards keep residential lots large and setbacks deep, new rural homes built in the A district are pushed away from adjoining fields and farm operations rather than the reverse.
The A district sits inside Article 10's Base Zoning Districts alongside the Rural Preservation and Rural Development districts (RP-5, RD-5), which carry the same 'Not Applicable' height standard and similarly large minimum lots to preserve the county's rural land base.
Violations & Fines
Developing land in the A district outside the uses and dimensional standards of Table 10.02-1, such as building on a lot under 15 acres, without an approved rezoning or variance is a violation under Section 22.03(D) of the Ordinance. Section 22.07(A) makes it a misdemeanor with a fine of ten to fifty dollars per offense under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 13-7-111, and the Planning Director may also decline to issue the Zoning Certificate the development would otherwise need under Section 8.01.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Williamson County have a right-to-farm law?
How does a property get placed in the Agricultural District?
What are the lot requirements in the Agricultural District?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Williamson County
Compare Williamson County to another location·View the Tennessee right to farm overview
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