Boulder County Planning Commission unanimously approves mobile farm stand text amendments

In a move aimed at supporting local agriculture and expanding economic opportunities for farmers, the Boulder County Planning Commission unanimously approved text amendments to the Land Use Code that will make it easier for farmers to operate mobile farm stands throughout unincorporated parts of the county.

During the March 19 hearing, commissioners voted to advance Docket DC-25-0001, which creates a regulatory framework for mobile farm stands following feedback that permanent structures were financially out of reach for many of the county's farms.

"This is responsive to those in the agricultural community," noted Planning Commissioner George Gerstle during deliberations, while praising staff for their work in addressing the needs of local farmers.

The initiative emerged when county officials, including Sustainable Agriculture Planner Sabrina Torrez and Planner Jack Sheehan, discovered significant barriers preventing farmers from directly selling their products to consumers. A survey of farmers across different operation types and sizes revealed that permanent farm stand structures complying with building codes were financially unaffordable for most operations.

Initial efforts focused on creating pre-approved designs for permanent farm stands, but when cost estimates exceeded what farmers said they could afford to spend, staff pivoted to the mobile farm stand concept to provide a more affordable alternative.

The approved amendments redefine "Agricultural Sales Structure" as "Agricultural Sales Unit" to accommodate mobile options, which are described as "vehicle-based sales units (being either self-propelled or towed by a vehicle)." The amendments maintain the requirement that 70% of products sold must be agricultural items from Boulder County farms, with the remaining 30% allowed to be craft, artisan, or prepared food products.

The Planning Commissioners discussed several technical aspects of the amendments, including the electrical requirements for the stands and clarification that mobile farm stands must be located on parcels with primary agricultural use and cannot be parked in public rights-of-way.

After debate about power needs, especially for farmers selling perishable products requiring refrigeration, commissioners asked for modified language regarding electrical connections and a post-mounted receptacle to ensure farmers have access to basic power while avoiding burdensome regulations.

"Let's help where we can," said Planning Commissioner Rita Manna, who also expressed interest in developing grant opportunities to further support farmers implementing mobile farm stands.

At the conclusion of the discussion, Planning Commissioner Mark Bloomfield moved to approve Docket DC-25-0001 and certify it for action to the Board of County Commissioners, with the condition that the language around the electrical receptacle be modified, that one post-mounted receptacle would be allowed to support a mobile farm stand, or language approximating that intent.

Planning Commissioner Gavin McMillan seconded the motion, which was unanimously passed by Planning Commissioners Gerstle, Manna, Rachel Lee, Bobby Umstead, Byron Kominek, and Chris Whitney.

The proposed amendments will now be considered by the Board of County Commissioners for final approval. If approved, county officials hope the changes will provide farmers with more flexibility and economic opportunity while increasing consumer access to local agricultural products.

County staff indicated that designs for mobile farm stands will be made available to the public soon.