The Agricultural Element is an optional element. This Element was prepared with the intention of stressing the County's dedication to the preservation of agriculture through clearly identifying County agricultural policies. The primary objectives of the Agriculture Element are preserving agricultural lands and preventing subdivision of lands under agricultural production. Agricultural preservation policies also appear in the Local Coastal Programs I and II, which are part of the Countywide Plan. The policies and programs of this Element clarify and strengthen both intent and implementation of the 1982 Marin Countywide Plan, the Local Coastal Plans I and II, and the various community plans. The County's agricultural policies recognize the value of continued agriculture for regional food and fiber and also as an industry for the diversified county economy.

1. very low density zoning in the Inland Rural and Coastal Corridors
2. transferred development rights from agricultural areas to areas more suitable for development
3. agricultural easements which preserve land for continued agricultural uses
4. cluster development and master plan development standards; and
5. the Williamson Act.

Much of the land in Marin County is zoned for agriculture and lies within the Inland Rural and Coastal Recreation Corridors. About 90% of the agricultural land in the county is in an agricultural zoning category with a minimum lot size of one unit per sixty acres. This Element recommends that the County apply a more uniform agricultural zone to all agricultural lands in the County. Considerations for this primary agricultural zone include a determination of development standards; the effect of non-agricultural uses in agricultural districts; the effect of non-agricultural operations on soils and plants; and traffic impacts.

Transfer of development rights (TDRs) permit non-agricultural development rights to be transferred to designated areas where development would have fewer environmental impacts. The Williamson Act also plays a vital role in preserving agricultural activities in Marin. In Williamson Act contracts, property owners agree to restrict their land to agricultural uses for a period of ten years in exchange for a reduced county tax assessment. Policies in the Agriculture Element recommend that Williamson Act contracts contain a clause which prevents or discourages subdivision of contract parcels.

The policies of the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) prevent annexation of lands currently engaged in production or identified as agricultural by either zoning, Williamson Act contract or general plan designation. According to LAFCo policy, vacant or non-prime agricultural lands located within the sphere of influence of a city or special district should be developed before agricultural lands outside of the jurisdiction are annexed.

The Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) is a private, non-profit local organization established to preserve and protect Marin's agricultural lands. MALT's primary method of preservation involves the acquisition of agricultural conservation easements, where the landowner places permanent restrictions on future uses of his or her property in order to protect its agricultural character and productivity.

The Element recognizes that agricultural lands in the Bayfront Conservation Zone in the City-Centered Corridor are an agricultural resource and should be preserved. Policies call for identifying these lands and mitigating the impact of development on agricultural productivity.

When residential uses encroach on land historically used for agriculture, farmers find it increasingly difficult to continue operations, due to opposition from neighbors. A right-to-farm ordinance is recommended to help preserve existing agricultural operations by protecting farmers from nuisance complaints.