Councilmembers are considering a zoning update that would allow those involved with agritourism businesses in the county to invite guests for overnight stays on their farms.
Councilmember Natali Fani-González introduced the update Tuesday. Council President Evan Glass, Vice President Andrew Friedson and Laurie-Anne Sayles are cosponsors.
“The agritourism sector in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve is growing and thriving. Our many farm breweries, wineries, pick your own farms, equestrian centers, and agricultural education businesses all draw people and revenue from across the region,” Fani-González said in a news release.
However, she explained, there are no places nearby for tourists to stay overnight.
“Our residents are looking for authentic farm experiences, and there is keen interest from local businesses in providing accommodations for overnight stays as an accessory component of the farm’s agritourism activities. Paired with farm-to-table food, hands-on farming experiences, and agricultural education, overnight stays in small, rustic structures would complement and enrich these popular agritourism experiences,” Fani-González said.
Currently, farmers can conduct education and tourism activities on their properties, including wineries, farm breweries, cideries, distilleries, corn mazes, hayrides and classes.
This proposed update to the county’s zoning would allow overnight stays for 10 or fewer people for four or fewer days.
A public hearing is set for Jan. 30, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.
We had such a wonderful ECON worksession this morning on Agritourism and held the session at the Ag History Farm in Derwood. We will have a follow up session in February. Thank you all for your contributions! We ended up at @brookevillebeer for delicious pizza and apple cider! pic.twitter.com/kN97k6LjCF
— Natali Fani-González (@NataliFGonzalez) November 6, 2023
