In a light Douglas County Commission meeting agenda, commissioners passed a resolution that requires anyone constructing a building in the county strictly for agricultural use must obtain an agricultural building exemption.

Before the resolution, agricultural buildings could be built without having to get a permit.

That’s still the case, but now building owners will have to file for an exemption, a process that requires the owner to submit a statement of intended use for the building.

Commissioner Jere McElhaney said at Wednesday’s meeting that some buildings that had an agricultural designation were being used for other uses as well.

The new resolution creates a step in the process for county buildings to become agricultural buildings.

“In either case, you have to have a piece of paper showing what the building is intended to be,” Commissioner Bob Johnson said.

No one came and spoke on the issue, although Bobbie Flory, executive director of the Lawrence Home Builders Association, sent a letter to commissioners outlining her support for the resolution.

“As Douglas County becomes more urbanized, we can no longer assume that all metal buildings are used for agricultural purposes,” Flory wrote in her letter. “This resolution will help protect the rural community by ensuring proper land use and building placement.”

The resolution passed by a 3-0 vote.