wa-law.org > bill > 2025-26 > SB 5055 > Original Bill
A county or a city may use a variety of innovative zoning techniques in areas designated as agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance under RCW 36.70A.170. The innovative zoning techniques should be designed to conserve agricultural lands and encourage the agricultural economy. Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a county or city should encourage nonagricultural uses to be limited to lands with poor soils or otherwise not suitable for agricultural purposes.
Innovative zoning techniques a county or city may consider include, but are not limited to:
Agricultural zoning, which limits the density of development and restricts or prohibits nonfarm uses of agricultural land and may allow accessory uses, including nonagricultural accessory uses and activities, that support, promote, or sustain agricultural operations and production, as provided in subsection (3) of this section;
Cluster zoning, which allows new development on one portion of the land, leaving the remainder in agricultural or open space uses;
Large lot zoning, which establishes as a minimum lot size the amount of land necessary to achieve a successful farming practice;
Quarter/quarter zoning, which permits one residential dwelling on a one-acre minimum lot for each one-sixteenth of a section of land; and
Sliding scale zoning, which allows the number of lots for single-family residential purposes with a minimum lot size of one acre to increase inversely as the size of the total acreage increases.
Accessory uses allowed under subsection (2)(a) of this section shall comply with the following:
Accessory uses shall be located, designed, and operated so as to not interfere with, and to support the continuation of, the overall agricultural use of the property and neighboring properties, and shall comply with the requirements of this chapter;
Accessory uses may include:
Agricultural accessory uses and activities, including but not limited to the storage, distribution, and marketing of regional agricultural products from one or more producers, agriculturally related experiences, or the production, marketing, and distribution of value-added agricultural products, including support services that facilitate these activities;
Nonagricultural accessory uses and activities as long as they are consistent with the size, scale, and intensity of the existing agricultural use of the property and the existing buildings on the site. Nonagricultural accessory uses and activities, including new buildings, parking, or supportive uses, shall not be located outside the general area already developed for buildings and residential uses and shall not otherwise convert more than one acre of agricultural land to nonagricultural uses; and
Agritourism activities, as defined in RCW 4.24.830, that generate supplemental income for farms by connecting their resources and products with visitors. Such activities may include direct sales, educational activities, entertainment, seasonal outdoor activities, and hospitality. In order to be included as accessory uses, activities must promote agriculture and rural character within agricultural zones and must be related to the on-site agriculture. Counties may permit agritourism after consultation with neighboring landowners and after creating criteria regarding adequate water, septic, and parking as well as curfews and seasons of use to avoid disturbing the peace and quiet enjoyment of neighbors and interference with neighboring agriculture; and
Counties and cities have the authority to limit or exclude accessory uses otherwise authorized in this subsection (3) in areas designated as agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance.
This section shall not be interpreted to limit agricultural production on designated agricultural lands.
Counties may adopt ordinances to permit agritourism activities, as defined in RCW 4.24.830, that generate supplemental income for farms in agricultural zones. Such activities may include direct sales, educational activities, entertainment, seasonal outdoor activities, and hospitality. In order to be included as accessory uses, activities must promote agriculture and rural character within agricultural zones and must be related to the on-site agriculture. Counties may permit agritourism after consultation with neighboring landowners and after creating criteria regarding adequate water, septic, and parking as well as curfews and seasons of use to avoid disturbing the peace and quiet enjoyment of neighbors and interference with neighboring agriculture.
The presence of agritourism activities may not be used as a basis to change the taxation category of the land.
Agricultural buildings also used for agritourism purposes are not required to meet additional commercial standards if the venue is only open six months or less every year.
There shall be a beer and wine license to be issued to an agritourism venue for the sale of beer, strong beer, and wine for on-premises consumption.
Agritourism venues may sell beer and wine for off-premises consumption if the beer and wine is manufactured by a microbrewery or craft winery located within the state.
Agritourism venues must provide a plan to prevent minors from unlawfully accessing alcoholic beverages.