Farm stands are often seasonal businesses that need to capture potential sales at harvest time. Planning Boards, Zoning Boards, and Conservation Commissions have different responsibilities, but a common regulatory outlook is possible. Establish a policy presumption that agriculture is of beneficial use in your town, and fairness will follow. Consider having a Town appointed committee formulate an Agricultural Profile to demonstrate the economic, cultural, and resource stewardship value of agriculture in your Town. Various agricultural businesses have very different needs that can test the balance of rule and exceptions.
Many towns have rules that a certain percentage of farm stand produce be grown on the farm.
The rational basis for allowing a farm stand shouldn't only be how much is grown on the farm, but what benefit the farm provides to the town from the open space, wildlife habitation, watershed purification and natural resource preservation it accomplishes. Specialized structures such as silos, milking parlors, and permanent greenhouses depreciate in value over time. Providing assessors with depreciation schedules may enable more accurate valuations, which can lead to lower assessments. If your town frequently overvalues agricultural structures, this can have a chilling effect on all types of farm investment. Agricultural businesses don't all look alike.