Managing Your Farm

Managing Your Farm

Pierce County has a growing population and some of the best farmland in the state, providing opportunities for farms to increase production levels and reach new customers. Careful stewardship of agricultural lands is crucial to the vitality of agriculture in our county. That's why proposed agricultural and development activities on these lands must undergo review to ensure consistency with all applicable regulations before an activity is permitted.

 If you are a farmer looking for advice, assistance, or resources for your farm, the information here can help you navigate regulatory issues and identify potential opportunities to achieve your business goals. 

Regulatory Roadmap
Producers face regulations that require permits and/or licenses depending on how they wish to manage their land and what they grow, process, or sell. Farm activities that involve any of the following items may require permits or licenses. 

  • Critical Areas (wetlands, fish & wildlife habitat conservation areas, aquifer recharge areas, flood hazard areas, riparian protection areas)
  • Site Development (filling & grading, new impervious surfaces, etc.)
  • Farm Buildings and Fences
  • Livestock Waste Management
  • Worker Housing
  • Agri-tourism, including Farm Stands
  • Forest Practices

These activities may fall under one or more regulatory agency. Please contact our staff to discuss your plans, and we can help you determine which of the agencies below have oversight of your projects.

  • Pierce County Planning and Public Works (PPW)
  • Pierce County Dept of Emergency Management (DEM)
  • Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD)
  • Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)
  • Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW)
  • Washington State Department of Ecology (ECY)
  • Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
  • Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL)
  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

It is the landowner's responsibility to follow all regulatory guidelines and requirements associated with these activities.

Information by Product
Beef, Pork, Lamb, Goat Tile Green Book pdf
Dairy farm tile link to Green Book pdf
poultry tile linked to Green Book PDF
Body Care Product Tile link to Green Book pdf
Egg farm tile link to Green book pdf
fermented food tile links to green book pdf
Fiber and Wool Farm Tile link to Green Book pdf
Flowers Tile links to green book pdf
Forage Crops, Feed & Pet Food farm tile link to green book pdf
Foraged Wild Plants & Mushrooms
Fruits and Vegetables farm tile link to green book pdf
Herb farm tile link to Green Book pdf
Honey farm tile link to Green Book pdf
Mushrooms farm tile green book link to pdf
Nursery Products Farm Tile link to green book pdf
Salad Greens farm tile link to green book pdf
Sprouts and microgreens farm tile link to green book pdf