Planning and Development Services

Skagit County Community Advisory Group on Proposed Agritourism Code Changes to the Skagit County Planning Commission

On June 24, 2024, the Board of Skagit County Commissioners (Board) passed resolution #R20240132 to remand the proposal recommended by the Planning Commission to the Board of County Commissioners on December 12, 2023, back to the Planning Commission for further study and evaluation. As requested by the Board to assist the Planning Commission in further study and refinement of the proposed agritourism code, Planning and Development Services (PDS) has convened a Community Advisory Group on Proposed Agritourism Code Changes to the Skagit County Planning Commission.

 The purpose of the Community Advisory Group is to provide policy recommendation to PDS staff in drafting an Agritourism Code that addresses the Board of County Commissioners' remand criteria, supporting the Skagit County Planning Commission's continued work with the public and the Agricultural Advisory Board to develop a revised recommendation on Agritourism for the Board of County Commissioners.

Information about Skagit County’s Agritourism process is available here. 

Questions that the group will address (areas needing refinement as identified by the Board of County Commissioners):  

1. Define Agritourism and clarify the scope by specifying what activities fall outside the current definition of Agricultural Accessory Uses.
2. Define the criteria for full and lawful participation in the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, ensuring that it is accessible, open, and offers adequate and equitable opportunities for all interested parties.
3. Determine whether Agritourism should be treated the same east of Sedro-Woolley as in the Skagit and Samish Delta areas and define the approach for each scenario.
4. Determine whether temporary use/events are sufficiently detailed in Skagit County Code for agritourism activities within Ag-NRL zoned lands.
5. Assess the consistency of the Proposed Agritourism Code Amendments and existing code with the King County v. Friends of Sammamish Valley State Supreme Court Decision, along with other relevant state-level actions related to agritourism.
6. Other to be determined by the advisory group.

Skagit County Community Advisory Group on Proposed Agritourism Code Changes Recommendation