ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 7, 2023—During today’s Council session, Councilmember Natali Fani-González, who chairs the Economic Development (ECON) Committee, introduced ZTA 23-09, Farming - Incidental Outdoor Stays. This new zoning measure would update the County’s Zoning Ordinance to allow incidental overnight stays on farms with agritourism businesses, with certain limits. Council President Evan Glass, Council Vice President Andrew Friedson and Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles are cosponsors of this ZTA.  

“The agritourism sector in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve is growing and thriving. Our many farm breweries, wineries, pick your own farms, equestrian centers, and agricultural education businesses all draw people and revenue from across the region,” said ECON Chair Fani-González.  

“But there is no place to stay anywhere near these amazing activities. Our residents are looking for authentic farm experiences, and there is keen interest from local businesses in providing accommodations for overnight stays as an accessory component of the farm’s agritourism activities. Paired with farm-to-table food, hands-on farming experiences, and agricultural education, overnight stays in small, rustic structures would complement and enrich these popular agritourism experiences.” 

Under the County’s existing zoning law, farmers can have accessory agricultural education and tourism activities on their land, such as farm alcohol production (wineries, farm breweries, cideries and distilleries) corn mazes, hayrides, educational tours, classes and workshops, among other activities; however, farmers cannot host guests overnight as part of their agricultural tourism experiences.  

This zoning text amendment would allow for this change, while also limiting the number of new structures on the farmer’s land to 10 or less and the number of days of the week they can be occupied to four or less. The legislation mirrors recently adopted Maryland state legislation that added “incidental outdoor stays” and “camping” to the state definition of agritourism. 

View more information ZTA 23-09 here. The public hearing for this ZTA is scheduled for January 30, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. 

For more information on Montgomery County agritourism options, please visit the Montgomery County Office of Agriculture agritourism webpage. 

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