The Town of West Newbury has announced the formal adoption of a Right to Farm Bylaw, passed at the Annual Town Meeting on April 28, 2025.
The Right to Farm Bylaw (Article XLIII) affirms the rights of farmers to operate in accordance with generally accepted agricultural practices. It serves as a reminder that the inevitable noise, odors, dust, and fumes associated with farming are a necessary part of the agricultural landscape, which the Town deems beneficial to the community.
Disclosure Notice: The Town now requires a "Right to Farm" disclosure to be included in property transactions to inform prospective buyers and renters about surrounding agricultural activities. You can find that disclosure here.
The disclosure requires presentation to the prospective Buyer(s) or Occupant(s), by the person transferring the property interest, no later than 21 days after the Purchase and Sale Contract was entered into, or prior to sale or exchange of real property, if no Purchase and Sale Contract exists, for the purchase or exchange of real property, or prior to the acquisition of a leasehold interest or other possessory interest in the Property. In all circumstances, this Disclosure Notification must be presented to the Grantee prior to the recording of any deed or other instrument of conveyance of real property interests.
