The regulations set forth in this Article, or set forth elsewhere in this Code when referred to in this Article, are the regulations in the “AG” Agricultural District. The purpose of this District is to provide for a full range of agricultural activities by family farms on land used for agricultural purposes, including processing and sale of agricultural products raised on the premises; and at the same time offer protection to land used for agricultural purposes from the depreciating effect of objectionable, hazardous, incompatible and unsightly uses. The District is also intended to protect watersheds and water supplies; to protect forest and scenic areas; to conserve fish and wildlife habitat; to promote forestry; and to prevent and/or discourage untimely scattering of residential and/or more dense urban development. In this regard, all lands used for agricultural purposes by family farms, as defined in this Code, are and shall be exempt from any and all restrictions or limitations. No administrative interpretation shall be made that results in any restriction or stipulation on land used for agricultural purposes by family farms as herein defined; provided, however that consistent with state law, new agricultural buildings shall be subject to floodplain regulations and to setback requirements on that part of agricultural lands fronting on designated major roads and highways. Any proposal for change of land used for agricultural purposes by family farms to nonagricultural uses shall be subject to the requirements of this Code.

In District “AG”, no building, structure, land or premises shall be used and no building or structure shall be hereafter erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved or altered, except for one or more of the following uses:

1.    Agricultural uses.

2.    Grain storage structures.

3.    Wellhead stations, well separators, tank batteries or other similar above ground facilities used merely for distribution, transmission or temporary storage of oil or natural gas.

4.    Oil and/or gas well drilling operations, and temporary on-site storage of oil and gas field-related equipment and supplies, but not a junk yard.

5.    Outdoor Storage, provided that all goods, materials and/or other items must be screened or fenced to not be visible from any public right of way.  The only goods, materials or other items that may be stored are feedstock, raw materials used for agricultural purposes, agricultural supplies, gravel, operable farm implements in good working condition, and operable vehicles in good working condition.

6.    Single-family dwellings.

7.    Group Homes as defined in this code.

8.    Railroad rights-of-way, including a strip of land with tracks and auxiliary facilities for track operations, but not including passenger stations, freight terminals, switching and classification yards, repair shops, roundhouses, powerhouses, interlocking towers, and fueling, sanding and watering stations.

9.    The creation of one (1) additional lot on lands used for agricultural purposes shall be permitted without requiring a rezoning, including those divisions of agricultural lands because of mortgage or lending requirements; provided said additional lot is created in conformance with the requirements of the Reno County Subdivision Regulations.

The Performance standards for permitted uses are contained in Article 21 of this code.

The Parking Regulations for permitted uses are contained in Article 22 of this code.

The Off-Street Loading Regulations for permitted uses are contained in Article 23 of this code.

In the “AG” Agricultural District, the minimum dimensions of yards required along designated major roads and highways in Reno County shall be as follows:

1.    Lot Area: Every lot shall be a minimum of 10 acres.

2.    Intensity of Use: A maximum of one (1) dwelling may be established on each 10 acres. A minimum of two (2) acres of land with a minimum of 165 feet of lot width must be provided for each dwelling. The dwellings may be located next to one another in the same general location on the 10 acres.

3.    Front Yard: The depth of the front yard shall be at least 25 feet or at the discretion of the zoning administrator, to align with other properties.

4.    Side Yard: The depth of the side yard shall be at least 6 feet.

5.    Rear Yard: The depth of the rear yard shall be at least 10 feet.

The Area and Bulk Regulations are also set forth in the chart of Article 25. Said chart, and all notations and requirements shown therein, shall have the same force and effect as if all the notations and requirements were fully set forth or described herein.

The Supplementary Height, Area and Bulk Regulations are contained in Article 26 of this code.

The Supplementary Use Regulations, including permitted Conditional Uses and Accessory Uses, are contained in Article 27 of this code.