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Wyoming Statewide Rule

Wyoming Right to Farm and Ranch Act

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Wyoming (2026)

Key Facts

Governing act
Right to Farm and Ranch Act, § 11-44
Protection test
Existed before adjacent land-use change
Loses protection
Negligent or unlawful operations
Covers
Crops, livestock, dairy, poultry, bees
Statute
Wyo. Stat. §§ 11-44-101 to 104
Last verified: September 5, 2026Source: Wyoming Legislature

Summary

Wyoming's Right to Farm and Ranch Act, Wyo. Stat. §§ 11-44-101 through 11-44-104, shields farm and ranch operations from nuisance suits when the operation existed before a change in adjacent land use and was not a nuisance before that change occurred.

11-44-103. Farm or ranch operations not considered a nuisance; conditions. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a farm or ranch operation shall not be found to be a public or private nuisance by reason of that operation if that farm or ranch operation: (i) Conforms to generally accepted agricultural management practices; and (ii) Existed before a change in the land use adjacent to the farm or ranch land and the farm or ranch operation would not have been a nuisance before the change in land use or occupancy occurred.

Source: Wyoming LegislatureView official code

Full Breakdown

Wyo. Stat. §§ 11-44-101 through 11-44-104 declare it Wyoming policy to protect farm and ranch operations from nuisance suits arising from changed conditions in surrounding areas. A farm or ranch operation is not a public or private nuisance if it existed before a change in the land use adjacent to it and would not have been a nuisance before that change occurred. The protection does not extend to operations run negligently or in violation of law. Covered activities include crop production, livestock, dairy, poultry, bees, and related farm and ranch products.

Violations & Penalties

A qualifying operation cannot be enjoined or found liable as a nuisance on the basis of the surrounding change in land use. Operations run negligently or unlawfully lose the protection and face standard nuisance and regulatory remedies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can neighbors sue an established ranch for odor?
If the ranch existed before the neighboring land use changed and was not a nuisance then, the Right to Farm and Ranch Act generally bars the suit.
Does the law protect brand-new operations?
Protection depends on whether the operation existed before the adjacent land use changed, not on a set number of years in business.

Sources

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