Skagit County is on the verge of implementing new code that will severely limit and restrict Skagit farm venues, farm stands, and all agritourism businesses. This proposed code would be far stricter than other neighboring counties in our state, and it threatens to stifle local small farm venue businesses, employees and vendors who work at the farm venues, farm stands and will harm the local economy.

The new proposed code would SHUT DOWN all but two farm venues in Skagit County. There would be no path for any other venues to become permitted in the ag. zone. The new code also proposes stringent regulations on existing farm venues imposing burdensome requirements such as SEPA reviews to obtain special use permits with a 50% reduction in number of events allowed. The new code would also BLOCK any new farm stands from being permitted.

Excerpt from code: “Celebratory gatherings, weddings, parties, or similar uses that cause the property to act as an event center or that take place in structures specifically designed for such events are not agritourism”. Translation: weddings and other celebratory events would be banned and not allowed in Skagit County agricultural zone.

Excerpt from code: “agricultural support buildings shall not be a place of human habitation or be a place used by the public; This permits use of farm buildings for farming.” Translation: existing farm buildings could not be used for farm venues, farm stands, or other agritourism ventures.
The new code also proposes stringent regulations on farm venues, imposing burdensome requirements such as SEPA reviews to obtain special use permits.

We believe this proposed code is unnecessary and detrimental to our community for several reasons:

1. Economic Impact: Skagit County's farm venues play a vital role in our local economy and bring in millions of dollars annually for local hotels, restaurants, caterers, DJs, event planners, photographers, hair and make up stylists, etc. By restricting farm venues and vendors with excessive regulations, we risk hampering this industry that supports countless jobs and businesses.

2. Tourism & Community Engagement: Farm venues provide unique opportunities for residents and tourists alike to experience the beauty of rural life while learning about and supporting local farms. Farm venue events foster community engagement through activities like weddings, memorials, reunions, religious and cultural events including quinceaneras, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, LGBT events, company retreats, art shows, school auctions, charity fundraisers, birthday parties, anniversaries, educational workshops, agritourism experiences and much more. Limiting these events would not only deprive us of cultural enrichment but also discourage tourism in Mount Vernon.

3. Responsible Land Use Practices: It is important that any regulation strikes a balance between preserving farmland integrity and supporting sustainable agricultural practices as well as supplemental business opportunities. However, the proposed code fails to acknowledge the importance of supporting and preserving Skagit farm venues and local agritourism.

We urge Skagit County officials to reconsider this restrictive farm venue and vendor code. Instead, we propose a collaborative approach that involves engaging with local farmers, farm venues, business owners, community members to develop reasonable guidelines that support all farms and farm venues.

By signing this petition, we stand together in preserving Skagit farm venues, our local economy, promoting tourism and community engagement, and ensuring that Skagit county residents and visitors have access to farm venues to gather and learn about the Skagit Valley farming commuity and history. Together we can make a difference!