About

About the Study & Report

For fiscal year 2025, the Washington State Legislature has commissioned a study to examine how other states regulate and permit agritourism. The goal is to bring stakeholders together to address key issues, including permitting in agricultural areas, the sale of alcohol related to agritourism activities, the use of agricultural buildings for agritourism purposes, and strategies for framing commercial uses in a way that protects the primary function of farms, particularly smaller farms in rural communities or those historically underrepresented or underserved.

Recognizing that such activities can have significant short- and long-term impacts on farmland, infrastructure, access, and local zoning ordinances, the state seeks to develop a balanced approach. This framework would allow farmers to integrate agritourism into their operations while preserving the rural character and agricultural integrity of farmlands across Washington.