Some farmers say they’re too restrictive.
Frederick, Md (KM) Two proposed bills dealing with agritourism were introduced during Tuesday’s Frederick County Council meeting. These pieces of legislation were drafted following the work of an Agritourism Work Group put together in 2023 by the County Executive. The panel provided recommendations for the Council to update the specific parts of the County Code dealing with the zoning and building codes to accommodate this fast growing industry.
Examples of agritourism include farm tours, hayrides, seasonal petting zoos, farm museums, pumpkin patches, and “pick-your-own” and “”cut your own” farm products.
There are also regulations. One states that anyone who wants to operate an agritourism enterprise needs to obtain a one-time zoning certificate. Any significant modifications of the agritourism operations will require owners to obtain a new zoning certificate Farm buildings can be used for agritourism activities, but only for 90 days out of the year.
There are also regulations covering amplified music which can only take place between `1:00 PM and 9:00 PM, and played for no more than four hours per day, and not more than three days a week. It must be directed away from residential property lines. Lighting height may not exceed 15 feet.
During the Council’s meeting on Tuesday, one of the regulations that brought testimony had to do with fire pits. Each agritourism property is limited to no more than ten fire pits. “A recommendations came out as 20 fire pits and it was reduced to 10. We would again ask that you reconsider and install the number of fire pits that came from our group at 20,:” says Denny Remsburg with the Frederick County Farm Bureau. He was a member of the Agritourism Work Group.
Also speaking about that was Lise Gaver of Gaver Farm near Mount Airy. “The fire pits should be at least 20. I don’t think there should be a limit. There are some farms right now that do as many as 75 and they do it well,” she said.
The regulations also say fruit and vegetable cannons shall not be located within 500 feet of a residential property line, and any fireworks should end by 9:00 PM.
A number of farmers who spoke on Tuesday say these regulations are too restrictive. “Agriculture, we do it because we love it. We love to be there. We love to do agriculture. .. But we have to make a profit. We have to make money. And we need less restrictions rather than more,” says Eric Owen of Linganore Wine Cellars.
The County Council is expected to hold hearings on these bills at a future date.
By Kevin McManus