Zoning Laws: A Threat to Property Rights in Rural Communities

The debate over property rights versus zoning regulations is particularly challenging in rural communities. While zoning laws work in urban areas for organized development, in rural areas, they infringe on our fundamental rights as property owners, hurting our ability to use our land as we see fit. The tension between regulation and individual freedom is magnified because, in rural areas, land use is tied to communities' economic and cultural fabric.

We are stewards of the land, and zoning regulations often become heavy-handed and tone-deaf due to a lack of understanding of rural America by the governments that impose them.

One of the most significant issues with restrictive zoning in rural communities is the negative impact on local economies. Farming, homesteading, and artisanal businesses often find themselves at odds with zoning rules that favor larger, corporate agricultural operations or rigid residential classifications. For instance, a farmer wanting to diversify into agritourism or a rural artisan wishing to open a small workshop will be stopped by zoning laws designed for urban areas. These restrictions limit the economic opportunities available to rural landowners and hurt innovation, which is critical for our economies. With family farms and ranches disappearing due to drought and the challenge of making ends meet, Leaving the door open for resource development that fits how the owner uses the land is even more critical.

Rural communities are often characterized by unique traditions and lifestyles deeply tied to how land is used. Zoning regulations can disrupt these traditions by imposing standards that don’t reflect the community. When zoning laws dictate how land can be used, they limit people's ability to make decisions about their own property.

With the dramatic number of people who moved to rural areas during the pandemic, we are fighting to preserve what living in a rural community means—and our rights are part of it.

If you are reading this from your rural community.  I hope you push your policymakers to place a greater emphasis on local input and community engagement to ensure that the voices of those who understand the rural perspective are heard and considered.

Rose Tryon

President

American Agri-Women