Background and Summary
On February 4, 2025, 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 focused on Article 4-516 (Accessory Agricultural Sales) of the Code and all other relevant sections needed to incorporate the necessary changes to allow for the use of mobile farm stands in unincorporated Boulder County.
This Code update stemmed 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 building permit process.
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 aligns with the county’s ongoing efforts to support local agriculture by providing practical, accessible solutions that enhance market opportunities for small farms.
