Description
These are zoning provisions that require very large (and ostensibly farmable - e.g. possessing prime agricultural soils) minimum lot sizes (one dwelling unit per 40- or 80- or even 160-acres, e.g.) in order to prevent farms from being subdivided into small residential lots.
Strengths
Discourages speculative development and land conversion by keeping land subdivision at a large enough size and scale to continue to efficiently farm the resulting parcels for livestock, food or crop production.
Weaknesses
Farmers may be prohibited or discouraged from selling or transferring smaller parcels of their land to their relatives or children, though regulatory "safety valves" allowing a limited number of family land transfers can be written into the ordinances.
Examples
Example 1: Wisconsin
Farmland Preservation Zoning Ordinance
Description: A model ordinance from the state DOA.
Example 2: Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Description: County-wide agricultural zoning ordinance.
Example 3: Pennsylvania
Description: Comprehensive Agricultural Protection Zoning Ordinance