Deschutes County will hold public hearing on new farm store regulations

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Deschutes County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Oct. 22 to consider proposed code changes for farm stores in rural areas of the county.

The local rules are being developed ahead of a new Oregon law, House Bill 4153, taking effect in January 2027 that allows qualifying agricultural properties to operate farm stores.

Under the state law, active farm operators on qualifying Exclusive Farm Use properties will be permitted to use up to 10,000 square feet of permanent, enclosed building space to operate farm stores. The stores may sell farm products, related retail items and prepared food and drinks. Farm stores will also be allowed to offer agritourism activities such as tours, mazes and tractor rides.

The proposed local regulations are intended to support the new income-generating option for farm operators while mitigating impacts on neighboring properties and rural roads.

The regulations under review by the planning commission address site access, egress and parking, as well as traffic management.

Additional provisions in the proposed county code cover noise standards, hours of operation, sanitation and solid waste management.

The public hearing will take place at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22 in the Barnes Sawyer Conference Room at the Deschutes Services Building, located at 1300 NW Wall St. in Bend. Members of the public may attend and comment in person or participate online, with login information and the meeting agenda posted at deschutescounty.gov/meetings.

Community members wishing to comment during the hearing must contact Nicole Mardell at nicole.mardell@deschutes.org by 4 p.m. on Oct. 20.

The Oregon state law allowing farm stores is scheduled to take effect in January 2027.