The Newport Town Board unanimously passed Local Law No. 1 of 2025: Town of Newport Right to Farm Law at its April 14, 2025 meeting to reinforce the Town’s commitment to maintaining, preserving, and protecting the existence and operation of farms in the Town.

 

The law works in complement with New York State’s Right to Farm Law included in NYS Agriculture & Markets Law (AML) (Article 25-AA, Section 308). It codifies a local right-to-farm declaration, promotes the resolution of disputes concerning agricultural practices and farm operations, requires notice on Town Codes Department permits that agricultural practices may occur on property located in an agricultural district within the Town and cause impacts to non-agricultural land uses, and requires consideration of the local law's intent and purpose in the decision-making process of Town officers and boards.

 

“Agriculture is fundamental to the economy, environment, and history of our Town and our local legislation needed to better embody that,” Town Supervisor Nathaniel Lowell said. “With the passage of this law, Newport emphasizes it is a place where farms and their operation are not only supported but are actively protected at the local level.”