'About as good as it can be:' Skagit County commissioners approve agritourism regulations

After about four years of research, revisions and discussions, the Skagit County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Tuesday the proposed county agritourism code amendments.

"This is not perfect, and it won't be even after all those years," said county Commissioner Joe Burns. "... I believe that this is about as good as it can be before implementation and seeing how it works."

Burns clarified that events such as the Festival of Family Farms are excluded from the new regulations, as the commissioners wish to allow such events to continue.

Planning and Development Services Director Jack Moore said the department intends to develop separate code for such events within the next year.

"That was really helpful for the public to come out and see what happens on the farms," said Commissioner Ron Wesen. "So, I really appreciate the effort going into this."

The approved code defines agritourism as follows: "Agritourism provides opportunities for working farms and ranches to preserve and promote Skagit County's agricultural lands. Agritourism allows for educational and experiential activities that are related to, and supportive of, agricultural production. Agritourism activities must have a direct connection to an actively managed, ongoing agricultural operation. Agritourism helps agricultural producers keep working lands in production by diversifying and enhancing their income. Agritourism activities must be incidental and subordinate to existing agricultural operations."

It also divides agritourism activities into three levels based on the number of events and attendees.

Level 1, which does not require a permit, allows 10 days of activities per year with up to 50 guests per day.

Level 2 is for those seeking more days or people than allowed under Level 1. Administrative special-use permits would be required. Such properties must show at least $500 per acre per year in agricultural income during the past three years.

Level 3 includes more than 35 event days a year or more than 100 guests per day, and requires a special permit from the county hearing examiner.

In addition, limited-event venues, restaurants and other regularly occurring celebratory gatherings, such as weddings, are prohibited on Ag-NRL land.

Farm stands and U-pick operations are unaffected by the code.

For existing agritourism operations in the county that have entered into a Voluntary Compliance Agreement or are permitted under a Special Use Permit, they may continue to operate unless the operation changes or expands.

Along with approval of the amendments, the vote also included the repeal of an ordinance prohibiting the acceptance of new permit applications for event venues on agricultural land.

"There are some really good businesses in this community, and they do bring a lot of tourism," said Commissioner Peter Browning. "They are part of our community."

More information about the code amendments and the years of work that went into creating them can be found at skagitcounty.net/departments/planningandpermit/agtourismmain.htm.

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