A. 
The intent of the Rural Residential Agricultural District (hereafter "RRAD") is to provide for residential use consistent with the furtherance of agricultural and rural businesses, while protecting the natural resources of the Town.
[Amended 8-28-2023]
B. 
The further purpose of the RRAD is to promote the economic viability and operational sustainability of agricultural businesses within the Town. Specifically, these regulations are intended to do the following:
(1) 
Address food and fiber needs.
(2) 
Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends.
(3) 
Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls.
(4) 
Sustain the economic viability of farm operations.
(5) 
Maintain an agriculture-friendly community.
The following uses are permitted in the RRAD, under the level of review indicated in the table below, in accordance with the requirements in Article 4, § 275-4.4:
Use
Structure Type
Zoning Permit, Simple
Zoning Permit with Commission Site Plan Review
Special Permit
Prohibited
1.
Agriculture (livestock)
Existing
X
New
X
2.
Agriculture (nonlivestock)
Existing
X
New
X
3.
Farm stands
Existing
X
New
X
4.
Home occupations
Existing
X
New
X
5.
Single-family dwelling, two-family dwelling, accessory apartment, accessory dwelling unit (including conversion)
Existing
X
New
X
6.
Agricultural-ancillary entertainment-based business
Existing
X
New
X
7.
Care services facilities (see Article 2)
Existing
X
New
X
8.
Country inns, bed-and-breakfast establishments
Existing
X
New
X
9.
Farm-based recreational business (seasonal or ongoing)
Existing
X
New
X
10.
Farm stores
Existing
X
New
X
11.
Neighborhood limited enterprise
Existing
X
New
X
12.
Campgrounds
Existing
X
New
X
13.
Cannabis micro-cultivator (see Article 14, § 275-14.7C)
Existing
X
New
X
14.
Multifamily dwellings of 3 or more units (including conversion)
Existing
X
New
X
15.
Sand and gravel extraction
Existing
X
New
X
16.
Schools, student housing (including conversion)
Existing
X
New
X
17.
Gasoline filling stations
X
18.
Drive-through facilities
X
19.
Any other uses reasonably related to the intended purpose of this district, as determined by the Commission
Existing
X
New
X
The following general standards shall apply to all buildings, structures and uses in the RRAD, except as these regulations may specifically provide otherwise:
A. 
Dimensional requirements.
(1) 
The minimum lot area for development in this district shall satisfy the Northeast District Department of Health's standards for septic and potable water and be not less than 40,000 square feet.
(2) 
The net buildable area shall not be less than 15,000 square feet.
B. 
Height of any building or structure, nonagricultural. The maximum height of any nonagricultural building or structure shall be three stories. Agricultural buildings are exempt from such restrictions.
C. 
Lot coverage. The maximum impermeable surface shall be 50%.
D. 
Frontage and setback requirements:
Use
Frontage
(feet)
Front
(feet)
Side
(feet)
Rear
(feet)
Residential
150
40
20
20
Agricultural, nonresidential, nonlivestock
150
40
20
20
Agricultural, livestock, non-swine
150
40
20
20
Agricultural, livestock, swine1
300
300
300
300
Accessory structures to the primary building (greater than 200 square feet footprint)
n/a
40
20
20
Sheds and other structures less than or equal to 200 square feet footprint
n/a
40
5
5
Special needs access
n/a
2
1
Connecticut Public Health Code Section 19-13-B23(a).
2
The ZEO shall permit the construction of a required special-needs accessway to protrude into any setback, provided that it is the only reasonable location for such accessway.
A. 
Farm stands and farm stores.
(1) 
For farm stands, not less than 75% of products sold shall be agricultural goods grown or produced on the owner's farm.
(2) 
For farm stores, not less than 50% of products sold shall be from agricultural goods grown or produced on the farm(s) of the owner or owners.
(3) 
A farm store must meet all state and local codes and health requirements.
(4) 
An application for a farm store shall include a parking plan conforming to the provisions of Article 15, § 275-15.5, of these regulations.
B. 
Seasonal agricultural signage.
(1) 
Seasonal (temporary) agricultural sign: one sign, either attached or freestanding, is allowed without a permit for the purpose of advertising seasonally grown agricultural products for sale on the premises. Any such sign must be located on the premises of the agricultural business. An attached sign shall not exceed 5% of the area of the wall to which it is attached. A freestanding sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in size. A freestanding sign shall not obstruct or create a hazard to pedestrians, cyclists or motorists. Any such sign shall be removed once the seasonal product or use is no longer offered or during any season in which the farm stand or store is not operational.
(2) 
Off-site directional signs intended to aid wayfinding to agricultural businesses are allowed without permit, but they are subject to the following limitations:
(a) 
Signs shall not exceed four square feet and shall not be illuminated.
(b) 
No more than four signs shall be allowed per agricultural business.
(c) 
Only one sign per business is allowed at any one location.
C. 
Agricultural-ancillary entertainment-based business or farm-based recreational business.
(1) 
All proposed agricultural-ancillary entertainment-based or farm-based recreational businesses must submit a site plan to the Commission for review, as described in Article 4, § 275-4.4B. The site plan must show in detail planned use areas, proposed parking and traffic movements. If lighting and signage are proposed, they shall be included on the site plan.
(2) 
Once the site plan is approved and all applicable conditions, if any, are satisfied, the applicant shall annually submit a schedule of events noting the number of events, the dates of any planned events, the maximum number of persons attending and the nature of the event(s). The applicant will not have to receive site plan approval on an annual basis, provided the approved activities remain within the approved limits (e.g., total number of annual events, maximum number of persons attending, etc.) of the original approval. If the applicant wishes to amend the plan to expand any of the proposed uses, a new site plan approval shall be required.
D. 
Livestock.
(1) 
Definitions of "livestock" shall not include animals kept as household pets. A household pet is as defined in Article 2 of these regulations.
(2) 
Definitions of "livestock" shall not include free-roaming wild animals.
(3) 
Fertilizer and manure management. Livestock owners shall comply with generally accepted agricultural practices through the Right to Farm Law (C.G.S. Chapter 368M, §§ 19a-341 and 19a-341a); prevailing CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection water pollution control statutes (C.G.S. Chapter 446K, § 22a-430); and the State of Connecticut Public Health Codes.
(4) 
Slaughtering and/or butchering livestock is permitted in compliance with the following provisions:
(a) 
Where the livestock is slaughtered and processed solely for personal consumption; or
(b) 
Where poultry (e.g., chickens, turkeys, ducks, etc.) raised on the property is slaughtered and processed according to the USDA Producer/Grower 1,000 Limit Exemption Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) [21 U.S.C. § 464(c)(1)(B)]; or
(c) 
Where the livestock is slaughtered and processed in accordance with the provisions for custom slaughter under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) [21 U.S.C. § 623(a)].
(5) 
Site plan review standards for livestock agriculture; site suitability and impact. In order to minimize potential adverse impacts, in addition to the requirements of Article 4, § 275-4.4B, the site plan of an application for livestock agriculture shall include the following:
(a) 
Location of all proposed animal shelters, paddocks, pastures and pens, including fences.
(b) 
Type of animals to be kept.
(c) 
A narrative describing the total acreage of the site where animals are to be kept, the general nature and scope of the proposed use, and the provisions for storage of feed, grain, hay, animal excrement and any associated wastewaters.
(d) 
Sites with slopes dominantly greater than 15% shall be avoided or improved utilizing generally accepted agricultural practices to avoid excessive surface water runoff, soil erosion or hazardous conditions for keeping animals.
(e) 
Proper drainage shall be provided to divert clean water from animal confinement areas. Such diversion techniques may include collection, diversion, infiltration and/or treatment. Runoff shall not be directed to neighboring properties.
(f) 
All livestock shall be kept in such a manner as to minimize any vermin or insects which may be shown to pose a direct risk to neighboring properties. This shall be accomplished through farming best practices as recommended by USDA, CT Department of Agriculture and/or CT Farm Bureau.
(g) 
Livestock shall be suitably and adequately confined or controlled. Fencing for livestock shall be installed and kept in sufficiently good repair to confine the animals on the owner's property without access to neighboring parcels.
(h) 
Requirements of public health codes shall be followed.
Campgrounds may be approved for a special permit by the Commission in this district. In addition to the provisions under Article 4, § 275-4.4, the following requirements shall be met:
A. 
Lot area shall be a minimum of 10 acres.
B. 
There shall be a maximum of 10 campsites per acre.
C. 
The Commission may require roads and drives within 100 feet of adjacent properties to be treated to reduce dust.
D. 
There shall be a vegetative buffer of a minimum of 100 feet in width that screens the campground from all adjacent properties and public streets.
E. 
Utilities and sanitary facilities shall conform to all requirements of the Northeast District Department of Health.
F. 
The campground shall operate on a seasonal basis and shall be closed (unoccupied) at least three continuous months per year.