Agricultural zoning districts: purpose and rules

(a) The purpose of the agricultural zoning districts is to maintain a strong agricultural economic base, to prevent unnecessary conflicts among incompatible uses, to minimize the cost of providing public improvements and services, and to manage the rate and location of physical development consistent with the city’s adopted land use policies. To promote the viability and economic feasibility of an existing agricultural operation, accessory agricultural uses and secondary supporting uses may be permitted on the same site as an adjunct to agricultural uses. The accessory agricultural uses and secondary supporting uses must be compatible with the onsite agricultural operation and surrounding land uses, and the onsite agricultural operation must be in existence prior to the issuance of any land use permit or building permit for the accessory agricultural use or secondary supporting use. (b) The intent of the AG-1 restricted agricultural zoning district is to conserve and protect important agricultural lands for the performance of agricultural functions by permitting only those uses that perpetuate the retention of these lands in the production of food, feed, forage, fiber crops, and horticultural plants. Only accessory agricultural uses and secondary supporting uses that meet the above intent will be permitted in this zoning district. (c) The following guidelines shall be used to identify lands that may be considered for the AG-1 restricted agricultural district: (1) Lands that are within the State-designated agricultural district and designated agricultural by adopted city land use policies; (2) Lands that are predominantly classified as prime or unique under the agricultural lands of importance to the State system; and (3) Lands where a substantial number of parcels are more than 5 acres in size. (d) The intent of the AG-2 general agricultural district is to conserve and protect agricultural activities on smaller parcels of land. (e) The following guidelines shall be used to identify lands that may be considered for the AG-2 general agricultural district: (1) Lands that are in the state-designated agricultural or urban district and designated agricultural by adopted city land use policies; (2) Lands that are predominantly classified as other under the agricultural lands of importance to the State of Hawaii system; and (3) Lands that are used or are suitable for agricultural purposes and where a substantial number of parcels are less than 5 acres in size.