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2007 SESSION

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SB 1205 Farm wineries; establishes criteria for local regulation thereof.

Introduced by: Emmett W. Hanger, Jr. | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Zoning; licensed farm wineries; local regulation of certain activities.  Provides that local restriction upon licensed farm wineries' activities and events to market and sell their products shall be reasonable and shall take into account the economic impact on the farm winery of such restriction and whether such activities and events are usual and customary for farm wineries throughout the Commonwealth. The bill further provides that no local ordinance regulating noise, other than outdoor amplified music, arising from activities and events at farm wineries shall be more restrictive than that in the general noise ordinance. This bill is identical to HB 2493.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Zoning; licensed farm wineries; local regulation of certain activities.  Allows localities to regulate certain activities conducted at a licensed Virginia farm winery, limited to the hours of the activities, signage, emergency services requirements, traffic, safety, guest management, noise management, and sanitation as applicable. The bill provides that noise shall not be prohibited but may be regulated in a manner that is no more restrictive than for similar activities. The bill also enumerates activities that cannot be regulated by localities. The bill is the recommendation of the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry pursuant to the study of this issue as required by 2006 legislation.