Staff proposing amendments to update the Land Use Code to allow for a Mobile Farm Stand Option

Boulder County, Colo. - On February 4, 2025, Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting staff received authorization from the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to pursue text amendments to the Boulder County Land Use Code (the Code) related to Mobile Farm Stands. Staff will be focusing on Article 4-516 (Accessory Agricultural Sales) of the Code and all other relevant sections to incorporate necessary changes that would allow for the use of mobile farm stands in unincorporated Boulder County.

This proposal stems from the 2023 Farm Stand Pilot Project, which was authorized by Boulder County Commissioners for Community Planning and Permitting (CPP) to explore the feasibility of pre-approved farm stand building designs as a means of addressing the associated financial and time constraints that local agricultural producers face in navigating the construction of a farm stand.

Farm stands are a critical marketing tool for beginning and small-to-medium scale farms, providing direct-to-consumer sales opportunities and helping producers establish a customer base within the community. According to the most recent USDA Agricultural Census, the majority of agricultural producers in Boulder County operate at a small-to-medium scale, making access to affordable and efficient marketing infrastructure essential to their viability.

While the pilot project demonstrated strong interest and demand, the proposed free-standing farm stand structures project ultimately determined that even a structure pre-approved under the building code would still be of a cost that would make it unfeasible for widespread use by the farming community. As a result, an alternative solution has been identified: allowing mobile farm stands. This approach was strongly supported by participating agricultural producers during the 2024 pilot survey and roundtable discussions. Mobile farm stands offer key advantages, including the ability to store and transport products more efficiently, thereby increasing access to local food across the community.

Additionally, regulating mobile farm stands only through the Land Use Code (these units would not be subject to the Building Code as they are not structures) would significantly reduce permitting time and costs. This amendment would align with the county’s ongoing efforts to support local agriculture by providing practical, accessible solutions that enhance market opportunities for small farms.

Timeline

Given the importance of this amendment in supporting local agricultural producers, staff intend to have this code update in place by spring of this year, allowing agricultural producers to utilize this provision in 2025.

Docket Schedule:

• Present Land Use Code update to Planning Commission on Wednesday, March 19, at 1:30 p.m. View meeting information.

• If approved by Planning Commission, staff intends to present this proposal to the Board of County Commissioners in April, 2025.

Subscribe

Sign-up to receive updates on Land Use Code Text Amendments, including notices of public meetings and hearings.

Notices of public meetings and hearings will be sent to the Land Use Code news list throughout the process. Opportunities to provide comments and feedback on proposed text amendments for this docket will available later in the process.

For more information, visit the DC-25-0001: Text Amendments to the Land Use Code related to Mobile Farm Stands webpage, or email Jack Sheehan, Long Range Planner I, at jsheehan@bouldercounty.gov, or call 720-564-2692.