Agricultural Districts protect Chautauqua County’s farmland from the adverse effects of development by providing certain protections to the farming community. The benefits include limits to local regulation, limits to publicly funded construction and eminent domain projects, and discouragement of private nuisance lawsuits. Agricultural districts are not zoning districts. Learn more about NYS Agriculture Districts Program.
Farmers interested in adding land to an Agricultural District should submit a completed Agricultural District Inclusion Worksheet and a tax map depicting the location of the property to the Department of Planning & Development. The department reviews applications during the designated 30-day annual review period: January 2nd to January 31st of each year.
You can print out the appropriate map via the Chautauqua County GIS. Parcels requesting inclusion must meet the definition of “viable agricultural land” as defined in Agriculture and Markets Law § 301, subdivision 7. Lands already included in the district need not submit a request.
Requests should be submitted to:
Chautauqua County Department of Planning & Development
C/O Lauren Sharp, Junior Planner
201 West Third Street, Suite 115
Jamestown, New York 14701