City of Calgary Food Assessment and Action Plan

Topic(s): Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management

Sub-topic(s): composting, food distribution, food processing, food storage, grocery stores, local procurement, pollinators, urban gardens/orchard, zoning

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See document for details.

Town of Stony Plain Municipal Development Plan

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Urban - Agriculture Conflict & Edge Planning, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): crops, farm retail/farm gate sales, food distribution, livestock, urban gardens/orchard, zoning

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Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location

food production;

food processing, storage and distribution;

food distribution; Environmental Responsibility Address issues of community resiliency The Town is committed to developing sound policy to address protection of local food production and distribution. 1.5 a

food production;

food processing, storage and distribution;

urban agriculture;

food distribution; The Town will research best practices for urban agriculture and appropriate stages for support of the food production and distribution system. 1.5 b

urban agriculture;

food production;

urban gardens/orchard; The Town will encourage community food gardens by offering leasable allotments on select municipal reserve lands and allow for small-scale agricultural operations that are compatible with an urban built environment and existing land uses within the Town’s boundaries. 1.5 c

development and productive use of agricultural land;

urban-agricultural conflict & edge planning;

zoning;

Areas for Future Urban Development
So that these areas are protected for future development potential, the Town will only allow uses that will not adversely impact urban settlement or that will not be detrimental to future urbanization. Sites may remain as existing uses, agricultural uses or other development uses that do not require major buildings or services. Should a road be developed to service such uses, it should be designed to accommodate future urban servicing.

6.8
food production;

crops;

farm retail/farm gate sales;

livestock;

Areas for Future Urban Development
Extensive agricultural uses, such as field crops and market gardens supported by roadside produce sales, are encouraged, but intensive agricultural uses, such as livestock operations, will not be supported.
6.8 b

 

Town of Morinville Municipal Development Plan

Topic(s): Economic Development, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban - Agriculture Conflict & Edge Planning, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): beekeeping/apiculture, food distribution, food processing, food storage, livestock, pollinators, urban chickens, urban gardens/orchard, zoning

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Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location
food production;
urban agriculture
  Morinville shall support lawn alternatives.
 
10.2
Urban Agriculture;
Food production;
community gardens/orchards;
zoning
Morinville shall encourage and support appropriate urban agricultural practices, including community gardens, in all land use districts. 10.4
food production;
urban agriculture
  Urban Agriculture:
Morinville shall support urban agricultural practices.
 
10.18
food production;
urban agriculture;
urban gardens/orchard; urban gardens/orchard 10.19
food production;
urban agriculture;
  Morinville shall encourage and support landowners of vacant, idle parcels of land to offer temporary use of their land for urban agricultural purposes by interested third parties.
 
10.21
food production;
urban agriculture;
livestock;
beekeeping/apiculture
urban chickens;
pollinators;
Morinville shall investigate the feasibility of regulating limited urban animal husbandry as it pertains to food security and the keeping of backyard chickens, meat rabbits, bees and the like. 10.22
policy partnerships, advocacy and development;   Morinville shall support the collaborative development of a Regional Agricultural Master Plan
with the Capital Region Board and in partnership with its member municipalities for the
identification of prime agricultural lands.
 
13.3
food production;
 
  Morinville shall support the continuation of existing agricultural uses within Morinville on lands
that are designated, planned or unplanned, yet undeveloped until such time as they become
developed and agricultural practises on the land are no longer feasible.
 
13.4
economic development;
Food processing, storage and distribution;
urban-agricultural conflict and edge planning;
food processing;
food storage;
food distribution;
Morinville shall support the continued operation and diversification of agricultural businesses
and value-added agricultural production, processing, distribution, and marketing and supportive
infrastructure for the agricultural sector in the urban-rural/intermunicipal fringe area.
 

13.15

food production;
urban agriculture conflict and edge planning;
livestock; Notwithstanding Policy 13.15, Morinville shall not support the creation or expansion of Confined
13.16

 

 

City of Chestermere Economic Development Strategy 2017-2020

Topic(s): Food Processing, Storage & Distribution

Sub-topic(s): food distribution, food processing, food storage, research and data collection

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Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location
food processing, storage & distribution;

food processing;

food storage;

food distribution;

research and data collection;

Strategic Priority #6: Sectorial Research and Assessment Areas of interest for this strategic priority include: Agri-Product Processing For several years, there has been a trend in getting food sources closer to the end-customer. For obvious climatic reasons, some products may never be produced in the Calgary Region. Others have increasing demand and are well suited for our growing conditions and with Chestermere being located so close to the transportation corridors there might be an opportunity to investigate. This research has long term results, in the next 5 to 15 years. pg53

 

City of Lacombe Municipal Development Act

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Education, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Urban - Agriculture Conflict & Edge Planning, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): edible landscaping, food distribution, research and data collection, urban farm, urban gardens/orchard

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Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location
development and productive use of agricultural land;  


Discourage fragmented development-
The City shall promote an orderly progression and staging of development in order to prevent premature development of agricultural land and to minimize land use conflicts with existing agricultural operations. The extension of city development shall only occur if an approved Outline Plan or Area Redevelopment or Structure Plan is in place which allows for connections to services immediately adjacent to the lands proposed for development. This should ensure that an orderly plan for development has been considered and limit the ability to develop land not adjacent to the existing built up urban area.

GDP 4.4
urban-agricultural conflict & edge planning;   Appropriate agricultural operations-
The City shall support agricultural operations which are compatible with urban settlement within and adjacent to the city boundary. As such, uses such as intensive agriculture, which are considered incompatible with urban settlement, shall be prohibited within the city, and are not supported adjacent to the City’s boundaries. The City shall support ‘right to farm’ legislation by applying requirements within the Province of Alberta’s Agricultural Operations Practices Act (AOPA), RSA 2000, c A-7 (as amended) and any other relevant legislation.
GDP 4.10

development and productive use of agricultural land;

urban-agricultural conflict & edge planning;

education;

research and data collection; Agricultural research station-
The City acknowledges the significant role that the agricultural research station plays within the local, agricultural and research community (see Map 6: Intermunicipal). The City shall work to ensure that potential conflicts with neighbouring land uses are minimized and avoided so that the use and value of the station grounds for research purposes is maintained. The City shall avoid land use decisions that would jeopardize the future development of these lands for research purposes. Urban development of the lands associated with the agricultural research station apart from infrastructure servicing as required by the City, is not encouraged.
AG 8.1, pg8

food production;

urban agriculture;

urban-agricultural conflict & edge planning;

edible landscaping;

Local food production-
he City shall explore opportunities to encourage developments which promote local food production within its borders on both a larger and smaller scale, and on private and public lands. Local food production developments shall be compatible with urban land uses and shall not impact future development of the lands.

AG 8.2, pg8

food processing, storage & distribution;

food sales, access and procurement;

food distribution; Local food distribution-
The City shall promote local food distribution through a variety of methods, including supporting food delivery and distribution services and markets. Appropriate locations for these uses shall be identified in a comprehensive strategy to the satisfaction of the City, and shall be located in places people gather without jeopardizing safety.
AG 8.3, pg8
urban agriculture;

urban gardens/orchards;

edible landscaping;

Municipal reserve landscaping and development-
When a developer is preparing an Outline Plan, the City shall work with the developer to identify the types of Municipal Reserve spaces to be delivered, and the infrastructure needed to ensure the lands are operational. As per the negotiated development agreement, Municipal Reserve parcels shall be landscaped and developed to the City’s satisfaction in accordance with guidelines and specifications established by the City. These guidelines and specifications should iv. provide for edible fruit trees and community garden spaces, where applicable, to encourage urban agriculture opportunities across the City;
CER9.6 iv.

 

City of Calgary Municipal Development Plan

Topic(s): Education, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management, Water Management

Sub-topic(s): community food system education, composting, food distribution, stormwater management, urban gardens/orchard

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Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location

urban agriculture;

urban gardens/orchard; Parks, open spaces and outdoor recreation h. Ensure sufficient community open space provision in Inner City and Established Areas by maintaining a minimum of 2.0 hectares of open space per 1,000 residents. Calculations should be applied to logical community clusters where parks and recreation amenities are accessible and shared between communities. Community open space includes areas dedicated for schools; community centres; playfields; outdoor performance spaces; community gardens; and habitat areas that offer public amenity. 2.3.4 h

urban agriculture;

food production;

urban gardens/orchard; Complete communities Objective: Foster distinctive, complete communities with a strong sense of place. Communities should be planned according to the following criteria for complete communities and provide spaces for community gardens and local food production 2.2.4 b (vii)
food processing, storage & distribution; food distribution; Goods movement Objective: To recognize the important economic role of goods movement by providing a safe, efficient and connective goods movement network that supports the Calgary International Airport, the Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific (CP) intermodal facilities, transportation and distribution districts and goods movement routes, while also minimizing impacts on surrounding communities 3.4

food production;

 

Future Greenfield Area Future Greenfield Areas are those large land areas in the city identified for future urban development that do not have an approved ASP in place. Planning for these areas should identify Activity Centres and/or Corridors that provide for a variety of housing types, opportunities for daily needs within walking distance to residential communities, and centres for transit access. Supporting the land use pattern is a street network that connects residents, jobs and commercial services through direct automobile, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian routes. The overall community design should integrate natural area protection within the open space and green infrastructure systems. Land use policies a. Future Greenfield Areas should: iv. Allow for local food production. 3.6.2 a (iv)

water management;

urban agriculture;

education;

waste management;

composting;

stormwater management;

community food system education;

Green infrastructure Objective: Connect green infrastructure throughout the urban fabric b. Identify and protect strategic parcels, blocks, and corridors that increase ecosystem connectivity, provide opportunities for source control of stormwater infiltration, promote food production and composting, and encourage play and learning. 2.6.1 b

urban agriculture;

water management;

stormwater management;

urban gardens/orchard;

Alternative Use Open Space Alternative Use Open Space (AUOS) consists of land acquired by The City, through dedication or otherwise, for purposes other than those of Recreational and Environmental Open Space such as plazas, utility corridors, urban agriculture, community gardens and stormwater management facilities. AUOS is planned to be functionally connected with the broader open space network and meet the objectives of MDP sections 2.3.4 (“Parks, open spaces and outdoor recreation”) and 2.6.1 (“Green infrastructure”), and is directed by the policies therein. 1. Planning for Acquired Alternative Use Open Space a. Lands should be functionally connected to other open space via green infrastructure. b. Lands should be used, in part, to establish buffers to help maintain the ecological function of protected EOS. c. Lands should be planned and designed to support stormwater management, while not negatively affecting public use of the area. d. Impervious surfaces and compacted soils should be minimized to allow stormwater to soak into the ground and replenish ground water supplies. volume 2: section 3.4.3 (pg 36)

 

Metro Vancouver Regional Food System Strategy & Action Plan

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Economic Development, Education, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Nutrition and Public Health, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): ALR, aquaculture, climate change and greenhouse gases, community food system education, emergency preparedness, food distribution, food processing, food recovery/gleaning/donation, food storage, local food culture, local procurement, new entrants to farming, urban farm, wildlife and ecosystem management

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Topic

Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating 
food production;
development and productive use of agricultural land;
ALR; Protect agricultural land for
food production
1.1  
wildlife/environmental/pest management; aquaculture;
wildlife and ecosystem management;
Restore fish habitat and
protect sustainable sources of seafood
1.2  
food production;
development and productive use of agricultural land;
  Enable expansion of agricultural production 1.3  
food production; new entrans to farming; Invest in a new generation of food producers 1.4  
food production;
urban agriculture;
urban farm; Expand commercial food production in urban areas 1.5  
food processing, storage and distribution;
economic development;
food processing;
food storage;
food distribution;
Increase the capacity to process, warehouse and distribute local foods 2.1  

food sales, access and procurement;

economic development;

local procurement; Include local foods in the purchasing policies of large public institutions 2.2  

food sales, access and procurement;

economic development;

  Increase direct marketing opportunities for local foods 2.3  
economic development;   Further develop value chains within the food sector 2.4  
policy partnerships, advocacy and development;   Review government policies and programs to ensure they enable the expansion of the local food sector 2.5  
nutrition and public health;   Enable residents to make healthy food choices 3.1  
education; community food systems education; Communicate how food choices support sustainability 3.2  
education; community food systems education; Enhance food literacy and skills in schools 3.3  
education; local food culture; Celebrate the taste of local foods and the diversity of cuisines 3.4  
food sales, access and procurement;
nutrition and public health;
community food systems education; Improve access to nutritious food among vulnerable groups 4.1  
food production;
urban agriculture;
  Encourage urban agriculture 4.2  
food sales, access and procurement;
waste management;
food recovery/gleaning/donation; Enable non-profit organizations to recover nutritious food 4.3  
wildlife/environmental/pest management; wildlife and ecosystem management; Protect and Enhance Ecosystem Goods and Services 5.1  
waste management;   Reduce waste in the food system 5.2  
wildlife/environmental/pest management; wildlife and ecosystem management; Facilitate adoption of environmentally sustainable practices 5.3  
  climate change and greenhouse gases; emergency preparedness; Prepare for the impacts of climate change 5.4  

 

Metro Vancouver's Regional Food System Action Plan adopted in 2016, outlines the actions that actions that local governments are planning to undertake in the next 3-5 years to advance implementation of the Regional Food System Strategy.

Download Metro Vancouver's Regional Food System Action Plan. 

See Metro Vancouver's website for more details.

 

Regional District of Nanaimo Regional Growth Strategy

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Economic Development, Education, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Water Management, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): agri-tourism, agricultural industry services, ALR, ALR subdivision, aquaculture, community food system education, farmers' markets, food distribution, food processing, food storage, home occupation/home based businesses, irrigation and drainage, partnerships/advocacy/liaising, research and data collection, wildlife and ecosystem management, zoning

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Topic Sub-topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location

development and productive use of agricultural land;

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

ALR;

partnerships/advocacy/liaising;

Recognize the importance of agriculture to the region’s economy. To this end, the RDN and member municipalities agree to:

Encourage the provincial government to protect the agricultural land base through the ALR;

7.14
development and productive use of agricultural land; ALR; Support the agricultural use of ALR lands within designated Urban Areas or Rural Village Areas except in instances where urban land uses have already been established at the time of the adoption of this RGS;
 
7.14
  research and data collection; Support the preparation of a study of agriculture in the region for the purpose of identifying the issues and needs (both immediate and future) of the agricultural sector; 7.14
economic development;   Encourage and support value-added agricultural industries; and 7.14
development and productive use of agricultural land;   Enhance opportunities for agricultural activity on lands not in the ALR. 7.14
  aquaculture;

Recognize the importance of shellfish aquaculture to the region’s economy and environment. To this end the RDN and member municipalities agree to:

Support the management of the Shellfish Aquaculture leases by the provincial and federal governments;

7.15

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

wildlife/environmental/pest management;

aquaculture; Work collaboratively with the provincial and federal government to protect the shellfish aquaculture leases from wastewater or industrial runoff contamination;
 
7.15
economic development; aquaculture; Encourage and support value-added shellfish  aquaculture industries;  7.15
development and productive use of agricultural land;

ALR;

partnerships/advocacy/liaising;

Encourage and support the Agricultural Land Commission in retaining lands within the ALR for agricultural purposes. 8.1

development and productive use of agricultural land;

ALR subdivision;

ALR;

Discourage the subdivision of agricultural lands. 8.2
economic development; zoning; Include provisions in their official community plans and zoning bylaws to allow for complementary land uses and activities that support the on-going viability of farming operations. 8.3
development and productive use of agricultural land; ALR; Establish agriculture as the priority use on land in the ALR. 8.4

development and productive use of agricultural land;

urban-agriculture conflict and edge planning;

ALR; Minimize the potential impact non-farm land uses may have on farming operations and include policies in their official community plans and zoning bylaws that reduce the opportunity for land use conflicts to occur. 8.5
  home occupation/home based businesses; Encourage and support agricultural activity on lands that are not within the ALR. This may include small-scale home-based agricultural businesses. 8.6
economic development;

farmers' market;

food processing;

agricultural industry services;

agri-tourism;

Recognize the importance of value-added agricultural uses and complementary land use activities for the economic viability of farms. To support complementary farm uses, official community plans should consider:

· The provision of appropriately located agricultural support services and infrastructure;

· Reducing impediments to agricultural processing and related land uses;

· Allowing compatible complementary land use activities (e.g., agri-tourism);

· Allowing farmers’ markets and other outlets that sell local produce to locate in all parts of the community.

8.7

food production;

education;

urban agriculture;

community food system education; Encourage urban agriculture initiatives and support activities and programs that increase awareness of local food production within the region. 8.8
water management; irrigation and drainage; Support the appropriate use of water resources for irrigation of agricultural lands. 8.9
water management; irrigation and drainage; Support the provision of drainage infrastructure to flood-prone lands that do not lie within environmentally sensitive areas. 8.10

food sales, access and procurement;

economic development;

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

irrigation and drainage; Work in collaboration with federal and provincial agencies, adjacent regional districts, and agricultural organizations to improve access to markets for agricultural products. 8.11

economic development;

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

partnerships/advocacy/liaising; Support partnerships and collaborate with non-profit groups to enhance the economic viability of farms. 8.12
wildlife/environmental/pest management; wildlife and ecosystem management; Support farms that produce organic agricultural products and use sustainable farming practices. 8.13

food processing, storage and distribution;

food sales, access and procurement;

food processing;

food storage;

food distribution;

aquaculture;

Support the production, processing, distribution and sale of locally grown produce (including shellfish). 8.14

City of Kamloops Social Plan

Topic(s): Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): community food system education, food distribution, food policy council

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Topic Sub-Topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location
policy partnerships, advocacy and development; food policy council; Continue to support the Kamloops Food Policy Council (KFPC) as the lead agency in the development of food policies in consultation with the local health authority…. See document for list of potential actions. 2.5.3
urban agriculture;   Support initiatives that contribute to the enhancement of conditions for urban agriculture. See document for list of potential actions. 2.5.3

nutrition and public health;

education;

food processing, distribution and storage'

community food system education;

food distribution;

Support efforts to raise community awareness of role of healthy food and healthy
eating practices, including raising awareness of community food distribution
networks (e.g. food banks). 
2.5.3

 

Electoral Area ‘C’ Oliver Rural Zoning Bylaw No. 2453

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Economic Development, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement

Sub-topic(s): agri-tourism, farm retail/farm gate sales, food distribution, food processing, food storage, livestock, residential development, siting and coverage, zoning

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Topic Sub-topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location
economic development; agri-tourism;

Agri-Tourism Accommodation


Agri-tourist accommodation is subject to the following regulations:
.1 Agri-tourist accommodation units are not permitted on parcels less than 4
ha, and no more than five (5) agri-tourism accommodation units are permitted on parcels 4 ha up to 7.9 ha, and no more than ten (10) agri-tourism accommodation units are permitted on parcels 8 ha and greater.

.2 No more than ten guest rooms are permitted on parcels 10 ha and greater.
.3 All guest rooms shall be located within a principal dwelling unit or separately from a principal dwelling unit, but all rooms contained under one roof.
.4 No guest room in the agri-tourist accommodation shall have an area of greater than 30 m2. A separate or ensuite washroom is not included as part of the area of the guest room.
.5 Meals for those persons renting the guest rooms may be provided within a principal dwelling unit or separately from the principal dwelling unit but contained under the same roof as the guest rooms.
.6 No cooking facilities shall be provided for within the guest rooms intended for the agri-tourist operation.
.7 No person shall stay within a guest room for more than thirty days in a calendar year.
.8 Approval from the Land Reserve Commission is required for an agri-tourist accommodation on lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve.
.9 One parking space per guest room is required in addition to those required for the principal dwelling.
.10 The agri-tourist operation shall not generate traffic congestion or parking problems within the District and shall not produce a public offence or nuisance of any kind.

7.16
development and productive use of agricultural land; siting and coverage;

Setbacks for Buildings, Structures and Areas for Farm uses...,

See document for additional details.

7.22
food production; livestock;

Keeping of Livestock


In this Bylaw, where agriculture is a permitted use, the following restrictions apply:
.1 On any parcel 2.0 ha or less in area, the total number of livestock, shall not exceed one (1) animal for each 0.4 ha of parcel area; xxxviii

.2 Despite Section 7.24.1, on any parcel 0.4 ha or less in area, the total number of poultry and/or fur bearing animals shall not exceed twenty-five (25).

7.2.3

food sales, access and procurement;

food processing, storage and distribution;

farm retail/farm gate sales;

food processing;

food distribution;

food storage;

Provisions for Accessory Retail Sales and Processing, Packing and Storage of Farm Products and/or Off-Farm Products


.1 Where permitted in any agricultural zone, farm products, processed farm
products and off-farm products may be sold to the public by retail sale subject
to the following:

a) the portion of the agricultural land used for retail sales of off-farm products shall not exceed one-third of the total area used for all retail sales. For the purpose of calculating the portion of agricultural or industrial agriculture land to be used for retail sales, the area of any building or structure used for that purpose, including aisles and other areas of circulation, shelf and display space, counter space for packaging and taking payment and any area used for the service and consumption of hot and cold food items, shall be included, but any office area, wholesale storage area, processing facility or parking area or driveway, whether used for retail sale or not, shall not be included;

b) where off-farm products are offered for sale, farm products and/or processed farm products shall also be offered for sale;

c) the retail sales area shall not exceed 300 m2;


d) ‘retail sales area’ in an Agricultural zone means the floor area or dedicated outside area on which farm retail sales are taking place and includes areas used for retail purposes inside buildings and areas outside buildings. It does not include parking, driveways, office space, washrooms, winery food & beverage lounges, or areas for processing or product storage;

e) where off-farm products are offered for sale, a minimum of 50% of the retail sales area must be devoted to the sales of farm products produced on the farm; and

f) at least 50% of the farm product being stored, packed, prepared, or processed is produced on the farm or is feed required for farm production purposes on the farm.

7.24
development and productive use of agricultural land; residential development;

Maximum Number of Dwellings Permitted Per Parcel

a) the number of principal dwellings and the number of accessory
dwellings, mobile homes and temporary farm worker housing
permitted per parcel shall be as follows:...

See document for details related to number of dwellings permitted per parcel in Agriculture One Zone (AG1)

10.2.5
development and productive use of agricultural land; siting and coverage; See document for siting and coverage regulations for buildings and structures in Agriculture One Zone (AG1). 10.2.6-10.2.8