Virginia Right to Farm Protections for Livestock

Under Virginia Code Section 3.2-301, no locality may require a special exception or special use permit for production agriculture (which includes livestock and poultry housing under Section 3.2-6500) in areas zoned agricultural. Localities may impose setbacks, minimum lot size, and reasonable health and safety regulations, but cannot unreasonably restrict farm structures or practices. Outside agricultural zones, residential keeping of chickens and livestock is regulated entirely by local zoning. Dillon's Rule applies, so cities only have powers expressly granted.

Local zoning enforcement actions; nuisance citations vary by locality.