Agriculture and Rural Areas

Printable PDF version

Agriculture/Rural Categories

‐ Agricultural
‐ Rural Residential

The areas illustrated as agricultural in Laramie County outside of the City of Cheyenne contain vast undeveloped areas. It is the intent of this Plan to promote continued ranching and farming in these areas, rather than rural residential development. Rural residential will continue to be a choice north of the City of Cheyenne.

Rural Design Principles
If development is to occur in the agricultural or rural areas, it should minimize its impacts on natural areas and on nearby ranching and agricultural operations. The following design principles are appropriate for all rural development that occurs outside of the Urban Service Boundary (that will be primarily residential):

1. Minimize cut and fill for roads and site grading.


2. Use native plants for landscaping.


3. Steer development away from geologic features, such as rock outcroppings or steep slopes.


4. Use appropriate setbacks, and placement of structures that are compatible with adjacent agricultural activities.


5. Design buildings that reflect the architectural heritage and that are located at the toe of slopes to allow for windbreaks.


6. Incorporate wildlife friendly fencing or "rural" open fencing rather than solid fencing.


7. Preserve existing ranch buildings and other features of the site.

Agriculture/Rural Category

Appropriate Uses

Primary Uses
Farming, ranching, and other agriculturally related uses, including farm animals, are appropriate.

Secondary Uses Agriculture‐related businesses and ranch support services are encouraged (e.g., equestrian activities, breeding and boarding, vet services, roadside stand, agricultural tourism activities, farm machine repair, and others). Very low density residential (e.g., large lots or designed on smaller lots to conserve land for agriculture or ranching or natural and cultural resources). Laramie County may explore the option to increase the minimum buildable lot size in the future. Wind energy generation and other energy production facilities may be appropriate but should be located away from the urban area. Desired Characteristics and Location
In the southern part of the planning area outside of the Urban Service Boundary, the vast majority of land is dedicated to farming or ranching and agriculturally related uses. Agricultural operations typically require very large parcels of land. Scattered areas of residences on large lots are also located here. These residences rely on individual wells and septic systems, and open space usually is owned privately. Agriculture depends on soil capabilities and requires some basic utility services. Agricultural operations should have access to minor County roads. Agriculture is permitted in floodplains and geologic hazard areas, subject to State and County regulations.

Rural Residential Category

Appropriate Uses

Primary Uses The Rural Residential category allows single family residences on individual large lots (predominantly 2 ½ acres or larger); clustering is encouraged. Farm animals and horses are appropriate in this category. Secondary Uses
Supporting and complementary uses, including open space and recreation, equestrian uses, schools, places of worship, and other public uses are appropriate, as well as accessory structures, such as barns and stables.

Desired Characteristics and Location The Future Land Use Plan shows this type of development to the north in Laramie County, north of the City of Cheyenne.

Rural residential will develop at densities lower than typically found in the more urban residential areas (i.e., within the Urban Service Boundary) with lifestyles oriented to more rural characteristics, such as keeping horses and other large animals. The average density of rural areas is one unit per 5‐10 acres, depending on underlying zoning. Some grandfathered lots may be smaller. Roads are usually gravel, but may be paved. Open space is on private lands. This type of residential development emphasizes privacy over convenience.

Landowners may develop large lot singlefamily rural residential, or cluster development on smaller lots to conserve open space, views, and other natural features. This Plan promotes incentives for using the County's Open Space Design Option to provide larger connected open space or agricultural lands that are conserved in perpetuity.

With this option, at least 40 percent of the site should be conserved as open space with a clustered development plan (with higher densities permitted with more open space conservation as shown in the table below).

Gross Density (du/ac)	Open Space Conservation Minimum Percentage
Up to 0.2 du/ac.	40%
Up to 0.4 du/ac.	60%
Up to 0.8 du/ac.	75%