Agricultural Verification

A permit is required for all construction on agricultural property. To determine if the proposed construction qualifies as agriculture use, applications must be submitted with a completed agricultural verification form. All work must occur outside of existing:

  • Buffers 

  • Floodplains

  • Habitat protection areas

  • Watercourses 

  • Wetlands

Some agricultural structures such as barns used to store hay, are exempt from certain Baltimore County Code requirements. The agricultural verification process is used to determine what sections of the Code are applicable for an agricultural activity.  Buildings or structures do not qualify for an agricultural permit if they are used for:  

  • Public events, or used for employees

  • Human habitation or residential use 

  • Storing non-farm related motor vehicles  

Additionally, the following may be applicable for all agricultural verifications:  

  • The Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability reserves the right to require revision of the site plan to show wetland and floodplain limits, based on the review of the application and resources identified on the farm plan.

  • Any agriculture structure or practice that results in forest-clearing will require the submittal and approval of an Agricultural Declaration of Intent (DOI) and a site plan that shows the forest area to be cleared. Note: DOI is only required for forest clearing in excess of 40,000 square feet. If forest clearing is less than 40,000 square feet, the only requirement is the submittal of the site plan showing forest to be cleared.

Please note, electrical, plumbing and gasfitting permits are always required. 

 

An agricultural property may be considered commercial agriculture or noncommercial agricultural for the purposes of zoning.   

How to Qualify for a Commercial Agriculture Verification for Zoning

To qualify for a commercial agriculture verification for zoning you must: 

  • File a Schedule F with your income taxes  

  • Have an approved soil conservation water quality plan (“farm plan”) 

Your property must:

  • Qualify for an Agricultural Preferential Assessment (SDAT) 

  • Be more than three acres or meet the definition of a “limited acreage wholesale flower farm”  

  • The new building or structure must be used for commercial agriculture  

Additionally, the following may be applicable for all agricultural verifications:  

  • The Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability reserves the right to require revision of the site plan to show wetland and floodplain limits, based on the review of the application and resources identified on the farm plan.  

  • Any agriculture structure or practice that results in forest clearing will require the submittal and approval of an Agricultural Declaration of Intent (DOI) and a site plan that shows the forest area to be cleared (DOI is only required for forest clearing in excess of 40,000 square feet. If forest clearing is less than 40,000 square feet, the only requirement is the submittal of the site plan showing forest to be cleared). 

 Please note, electrical, plumbing, and gasfitting permits are always required. 

Application Types

Application type to be submitted: 

  • R-Accessory Structure—This application is used for all structures, except for structures used for public use, including for employees.

  • C-New Shell—This application is used for all structures for public use or for employees to work.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS 

  • Agricultural verification form

  • Site plan showing existing and proposed use/structures, dimensions of the structure, setback lines on all four sides of the property and limit of disturbance (LOD) 

  • If property is served by a well and septic system, the site plan must be provided that complies with the ground water site plan requirements 

  • Construction plans including floor plans drawn to scale with building dimensions

  • Signature page from approved farm plan from SCD (within the last 10 years), if applicable