5630 Hilltop Rd, La Plata, MD 20646

Agricultural Conservation Zone

The Agricultural Conservation Zone provides a full range of agricultural and farming activities, protects these established uses from encroaching development which might adversely affect the agricultural economy of the County and encourages the right to farm in the County without undue burden on the landowner. The zone is to prevent premature urbanization in areas where public utilities, roads and other public facilities are planned to meet exclusively rural needs and where present public programs do not propose public facility improvements suitable for development at higher densities. This zone provides for certain agriculture-related commercial and industrial uses with special conditions. Such uses are to accommodate flexibility in the use of lands by those persons or organizations that pursue agriculture activities and/or earn their income from agriculture when these uses are not in conflict with the protection of farmland and support protection of the farm economy. The zone protects existing natural resources and scenic values and provides limitations on residential development and encroachment in these areas dominated by agricultural uses. In addition, the zone assists in the implementation of the County's Transferable Development Rights (TDR) Program by providing an appropriate zone to be designated as a sending area.