Chapter 18.20
RF – RURAL FARM ZONE
Sections:
18.20.030 Uses requiring special use permits.
18.20.050 Development standards.
18.20.010 Purpose.
This zone is intended for the maintenance of low residential densities, for the preservation of agricultural uses and for the continuance of agriculturally related industries and activities. [Ord. 2000-03 § 1; Ord. 94-06 § 1; prior code § 11-2-11.1.A]
18.20.020 Permitted uses.
A lot in the RF zone shall be used for the following purposes only:
A. A farm or ranch.
B. A one-family home, only as an accessory to the primary agricultural use.
C. Farm labor housing, only as an accessory to the primary agricultural use.
D. A guest house, used only as an accessory to the primary single-family home and not rented or otherwise conducted as a business.
E. A roadside stand offering for sale only farm products, the majority of which are grown on the premises; provided, that such stands shall be removed during any period of time when not in use.
F. Home occupations.
G. A farm for the raising, breeding, and sale of small animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, chinchillas, and hamsters.
H. Plant nursery and greenhouse.
I. Storage only of trailers and campers; provided, they are not in excess of 35 feet in length; and provided, that the trailers and/or campers are not used for human habitation nor shall they be connected to any public or private utility system such as water, sewer, gas, or electricity.
J. Accessory structures and uses such as barns, corrals, sheds, pens and similar structures customarily incidental to any of the above uses, when located on the same lot.
K. Stockpiling and composting of manures, fertilizers, soil amendments, conditioners, or compost as an ancillary use to the primary agricultural use; and provided, that such materials do not remain stockpiled for more than 30 days. The stockpiling or composting of any manures, fertilizers, soil amendments, conditioners or compost for more than 30, but no more than 60 days, shall be allowed only subject to the following requirements and standards:
1. Space Requirement. Stockpiled material shall occupy no more than five percent of the entire parcel and the total area occupied by stockpiled material shall be no greater than one acre;
2. Setback Standard. All stockpiled material shall be set back a minimum of 500 feet from abutting adjacent properties;
3. Protective Covering Requirement. All stockpiled material shall be covered with an impermeable protective covering to reduce odor, dust, debris and flies and bar access to vermin;
4. Screening Requirement. The stockpiled material shall be screened from public view, and shall not be visible beyond the property boundaries.
Notwithstanding the above requirements and standards, no manures, fertilizers, soil amendments, conditioners or compost shall be stockpiled for more than 60 days. [Ord. 2003-06 § 2; Ord. 2000-03 § 1; Ord. 94-06 § 1; prior code § 11-2-11.1.B]
18.20.030 Uses requiring special use permits.
Special or unclassified uses as defined in MTC 18.55.010 and 18.55.020 shall be permitted in the RF zone, provided the board of trustees approves following a public hearing. In addition, the following uses may be permitted subject to restrictions, and the issuance of a special use permit:
A. Cottage industries; provided, the following conditions are met:
1. Employment shall be limited to a maximum of five persons plus one additional person for every two acres above the minimum lot size.
2. Structures housing cottage industries shall occupy no more than five percent of the lot where they are located.
3. No noxious, odorous or hazardous processes shall be employed; nor shall the use or storage of explosives or flammable materials be permitted, excepting those specifically related to the allowed use and in conformance with applicable codes. Dust, noise or glare shall not extend beyond the properties on which they are located.
4. One parking space shall be provided for each employee.
5. One unlighted sign, having a maximum area of 10 square feet shall be permitted.
6. Parking, outdoor storage areas or other unsightly appurtenances shall be screened from public view.
B. Agriculturally related industries such as cotton gins, food processing plants, packaging plants or mills providing the following conditions are met:
1. The site for the use shall be no smaller than five acres.
2. Structures housing agriculturally related industries shall occupy no more than 20 percent of the parcel.
3. No noxious, odorous or hazardous processes shall be employed, nor shall the use or storage of explosives or flammable materials be permitted, excepting those specifically related to the allowed use and in conformance with applicable codes, nor shall industries emit dust, noise or glare beyond the property.
4. No industry shall be permitted closer than 500 feet from abutting adjacent properties.
5. One parking space shall be provided for each employee.
6. Parking, outdoor storage areas or other unsightly appurtenances shall be screened from public view.
C. Feedlots; provided, that the following conditions are complied with:
1. Livestock in a feedlot shall not be corralled within 500 feet of any residence or any residential zones.
2. One parking space shall be provided for each employee.
D. Bed and breakfast inns may be permitted; provided, the following conditions are met:
1. General.
a. The owner/manager shall live on site.
b. Employment shall be limited to a maximum of five persons including the owner/manager.
c. No more than seven guest rooms shall be permitted.
d. Length of stay shall be limited to no more than 14 consecutive days. Bed and breakfast inns are specifically prohibited from allowing guests a permanent residence.
e. Food service shall be limited to breakfasts.
2. Land Use Requirements.
a. The guest rooms shall be part of or attached to the main residence of the owner/manager.
b. Only one unlighted sign having a maximum area of 10 square feet shall be permitted.
c. A minimum of two parking spaces shall be required for the owner/manager. In addition, one parking space shall be required for each employee and one parking space shall be required for each guest room.
d. Inns shall meet the provisions of the New Mexico Uniform Building Code, New Mexico Environmental Improvement Division Regulations and pertinent fire safety regulations.
e. Newly constructed inns or existing residences modified to meet the provisions of this section shall be designed to be compatible with the residential character of the neighborhood in which they are located. New construction of bed and breakfast inns must meet the architectural guidelines and criteria for development established for Historical Residential and Historical Commercial zones in Mesilla.
3. Development Plans. The owner/manager of the land shall submit a complete detailed plan of the project. The development plan shall contain the following information:
a. Site plan with scale and north point showing all existing and proposed improvements.
b. Surveyed boundaries or legal description of the area proposed to be developed.
c. Parking areas with arrangement of stalls, location of entrance and exit driveways and their relation to existing streets.
d. Landscaping plan including fencing.
e. Floor plans, elevations and exterior details of proposed improvements.
f. Existing development of adjacent properties within 600 feet of the exterior boundary of the lot, including the location, type and use of buildings and structures. [Ord. 94-06 § 1; Ord. 89-03; prior code § 11-2-11.1.C]
18.20.040 Uses prohibited.
Prohibited uses in the RF zone are as follows:
A. Multifamily uses.
B. Commercial uses other than the sale of agricultural products, the majority of which were produced on the property.
C. Industrial uses other than cottage or agricultural industries.
D. Use of trailers as dwellings with or without wheels attached.
E. Signs other than those permitted by this title. [Ord. 94-06 § 1; prior code § 11-2-11.1.D]
18.20.050 Development standards.
A. Lot Area. Each lot shall have a minimum area of five acres except cluster development.
B. Lot Dimensions. Each lot shall have a minimum width of 225 feet. Each lot shall have a minimum depth of 300 feet.
C. Yards – Front. Each lot or parcel of land shall have a front yard extending across the full width of the lot or parcel, with a depth of not less than 30 feet.
D. Height Limitations. The maximum height of buildings or structures in the RF zone shall be two stories or 30 feet, whichever is less.
E. Utilities. All installation of utility lines shall be underground, wherever technically feasible. [Ord. 2004-7 § 3; Ord. 2004-01 § 2; Ord. 94-06 § 1; prior code § 11-2-11.1.E]