[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Canton as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 10-28-2015 by Ord. No. 238]
This article is adopted pursuant to General Statutes, § 19a-341. The terms "agriculture" and "farming" shall have the same meanings as set forth in General Statutes § 1-1(q), as amended.
Agriculture plays a significant role in Canton's heritage and future. The Town of Canton officially recognizes the importance of farming to its rural quality of life, heritage, public health, scenic vistas, tax base, wetlands and wildlife, and local economy. This right to farm article encourages the pursuit of agriculture, promotes agriculture-based economic opportunities, and protects farmland within Canton by allowing agricultural uses and related activities to function with minimal conflict with abutters and Town of Canton agencies. It is the declared policy of the Town of Canton to conserve, protect and encourage the maintenance and improvement of agricultural land for the production of food and other agricultural products and for its natural and ecological value. It is hereby further determined that, whatever impact may be caused to others through generally accepted agricultural practices, such impact is offset and ameliorated by the benefits of farming to the neighborhood, community and society in general.
A. 
The right to farm is hereby recognized to exist within the Town of Canton. Farming has been carried on in the Town of Canton for over 200 years. No present or future agricultural operation conducted or maintained in a manner consistent with accepted agricultural practices shall be considered a nuisance. This right to farm article further recognizes that generally accepted agricultural practices may occur on all days and nights of the year. Any noise, odors, dust and fumes that are caused by these activities, when following generally accepted agricultural practices, are recognized as ancillary to the permitted activities. Such incidental activities, when reasonable and necessary for the particular farming activity, are protected by this article. These activities shall include, but are not limited to:
(1) 
The incidental noise from livestock or farm equipment used in generally acceptable farming practices;
(2) 
Odors from livestock, manure, fertilizer or feed;
(3) 
Dust and fumes associated with normally accepted farming practices;
(4) 
The use of agricultural chemicals, provided such chemicals and the method of their application conform to practices approved by the State of Connecticut; and
(5) 
Irrigation and water management associated with normally accepted farming practice.
B. 
Questions and compliance concerns should be directed to the Town of Canton Land Use Office. This article shall not be construed as a zoning regulation and does not supersede any zoning regulations nor the rights and privileges arising from said regulations.
This article shall take effect 15 days after publication of a summary of its provisions in accordance with General Statutes § 7-157(b).