§ 45-23-49.1. Farmland residential compounds. (a) The general assembly finds and declares that multiple dwelling units were historically common on farms because farming was a multi-generational way of life and because farm workers needed to be close to the land they worked; that this historical development pattern is centuries old, and that it is in the interest of the state to provide for the continuation of this development pattern as a means of preserving and enhancing agriculture and promoting sound development in rural areas of the state.

(b) Farmland residential compounds may be provided for by municipal ordinance as a minor land development project, consistent with the special provisions of this subdivision, which ordinances may treat farmland residential projects as a specific form of cluster development for purposes of zoning.

(1) Such farmland residential compounds shall only be allowed on agricultural operations, as defined in subsection 42-82-2(3), that have a net annual income of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) or more for the most recent three (3) consecutive years preceding the date of the application for the farmland residential compound, which income is directly attributable to said agricultural operations.

(2) Such farmland residential compounds shall be limited to one dwelling unit for the first twenty (20) acres and one dwelling unit for each additional twenty (20) acres to a maximum of five (5) dwelling units, which shall be allowable without subdivision of the farmland parcel into separate lots and without meeting frontage requirements.

(3) Any road necessary to provide access to the dwelling units shall be constructed in accordance with applicable standards for private roads and shall be owned and maintained by the agricultural operation.

(4) Water supply and waste water treatment (ISDS) for the farmland residential compound shall comply with standards for residential systems.

(c) The dwelling units of a farmland residential compound need not be located in a single area on the farm and may be constructed in phases consistent with the limitations and provisions set forth in subdivision (b) of this section.

(d) Approval of a farmland residential compound shall not affect eligibility to participate in programs for farmland preservation or for taxation of farm, forest and open space land.

(e) For any agricultural operation, farmland residential compounds shall be permitted only to the limits set forth in subdivision (b)(2) of this section; in the event that the agricultural operation is subsequently divided into two (2) or more agricultural operations, no additional farmland residential compound shall be permitted until ten (10) years after the date of the approval of the application for the prior farmland residential compound, and all of the requirements for a farmland residential compound shall apply to each farmland residential compound; in the event that the agricultural operation ceases and the farmland is subdivided, a parcel at least equal to the minimum residential lot size for the zone times the number of dwelling units in the farmland residential compound plus the road in which the farmland residential compound is located shall be dedicated to the farmland residential compound, which overall parcel shall include the water supply and waste water treatment systems for the farmland residential compound.

History of Section. (P.L. 2006, ch. 406, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 452, § 1.)