Developing a statewide, uniform building code for agricultural structures

GOAL
• Develop a statewide, uniform Agricultural Building Code, written specifically for
agricultural uses

IDEAS:
• Building codes and zoning regulations, when applied to agricultural construction projects, lack consistent interpretation by local officials in Connecticut's 169 towns.
• Communities benefit from the positive attributes of agricultural, such as
environmental protection and economic development
• Ag building projects are subject to standard residential, commercial and industrial
regulations, even though they are very different from these projects

HOW WILL THIS INITIATIVE BE ACHIEVED?
What needs to happen to get started?
• Recruit CT Ag businesses that have specific zoning issues - define problems and
set priorities
• Develop a close working relationship with federal, state, and local agencies
responsible for agricultural building issues
• Influence the building codes at the local town level
• Address zoning matters that have a bearing on assessed values
• Seek state level support to influence towns regarding how to value Ag systems
• Investigate availability of agricultural building codes fro other states as models

What resources are needed?
• Ag industry operators
• U-Conn Ag engineering
• Consultant specializing in land use and building regulations
• Manufacturers of Ag structures

What problems/hurdles need to be overcome?
• Entrenched building codes at local levels
• Create awareness of Ag value to local communities

How will CAB gain support from individual CT Ag businesses?
• Demonstrate to individual Ag businesses that local Ag companies can be effective
in changing local building codes and influencing town planning and development
committees

How will the initiative become self-sustaining?
• No need to become self-sustaining once the building codes are changed