[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).
