Cline brings up a good point. Farms all across the state are being annexed and with annexation comes limitations on use of the land. An even more egregious practice is placing farms in the Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). In this way city leaders can control what is allowed on the farm via zoning and yet the farmer is not allowed to vote in the city elections as they are not “technically” a resident of the city. This is allowed within a 1-mile radius of city limits by NC law.
Keep in mind that farms (in general) are also tax-deferred and when they seek to be rezoned or are no longer used for agriculture, they are then required to pay three years worth of property taxes at current market value. The city and county both get the three year penalty or “catch up” provision depending on your perspective.
