Navigating Rural Zoning and Land Use Restrictions

RFD-TV farm legal expert Roger McEowen digs into the details on how to make your rural property dreams a reality — and avoid a living nightmare.

HAYS, KANSAS (RFD-TV) — Rural property owners often face unique challenges when it comes to zoning and land use restrictions. These regulations can be difficult to navigate, making it essential for landowners to understand their rights and responsibilities before making decisions about their property.

RFD-TV farm legal expert Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law joined RFD-TV to share insights on how farmers and landowners can better manage zoning concerns and ensure they’re using their property as intended.

In his interview, McEowen discussed why zoning is such an essential topic for rural America and outlined some of the key hurdles producers face. He explained the most common types of rural zoning and offered practical advice on how to verify zoning and use restrictions before purchasing or developing property.

McEowen also shared when it might make sense to consider rezoning a property to fit a specific use, and emphasized the importance of researching local zoning laws as the first step in any land-use decision.

Firm to Farm: Acreage Anxiety—How Zoning Issues Can Limit Your Rural Property Dreams

Related Stories: Firm to Farm
The topic of this Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV agri-legal expert Roger McEowen is a potpourri of legal issues facing farmers and ranchers—farm bankruptcy, sovereign immunity, farm leases, and pipeline damages.
What can these facilities do to protect themselves? I wrote about this issue last spring, and since that time, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has issued a significant opinion. That makes an update in order.
Updated Dicamba information is the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV’s agri-legal expert Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The Mosaic Company’s Keith Byerly shares smart input investment strategies, fertilizer considerations, and ways growers can manage risk heading into the 2026 growing season.
NCGA Chief Economist Krista Swanson discusses the evolving role of ethanol in the current energy crisis, opportunities for expanding corn discusses the evolving role of ethanol in the current marketdemand, and the industry’s outlook moving forward.
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins surveys Nebraska wildfire damage as cattle losses, tight supplies, rising imports, and beef industry investigations impact U.S. markets. Roger McEowen outlines legal and tax considerations for ranchers recovering from wildfire damage.
Nebraska Cattle Rancher Joe Van Newkirk shares his firsthand insight on devastating wildfires in the Sandhills, discusses challenges facing ranchers, long-term calf health concerns, and the recovery efforts underway.
Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association President Craig Uden shares the latest on Nebraska wildfire conditions, discusses challenges facing producers, and outlines relief efforts underway.
As the strike at a JBS facility in Colorado continues, the National Right to Work Foundation is encouraging some employees to consider returning to work. The group says not all workers on strike may want to participate and urges those who choose to cross the picket line to resign from their union memberships.