Matt Lisignoli came to Central Oregon in 1997 and tried to make a living growing wheat and potatoes. A year later, he started planting pumpkins, which became a critical part of his business. After relocating to Terrebonne 10 years ago, he now grows and delivers many of the pumpkins you see piled up in front of stores around town.

He also started a seasonal activity — Central Oregon Pumpkin Co.

Pumpkin Co. has grown to include a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hay rides, petting zoo, pumpkin cannons and more.

Last year, a complaint brought the attention of county authorities, who say Lisignoli needs a permit.

Lisignoli disagrees. He believes his use is permitted by existing regulations, and he has so far refused to engage with Deschutes County officials who have cited him for failure to seek a permit.

Not too far away, Mike Duggan and his wife run the DD Ranch, where they also offer hay rides, a corn maze and other activities they describe as more directed to younger children. Duggan says their main purpose is to make the ranch succeed by marketing beef and other products like honey and flowers.

Back in 2003, the DD Ranch was also targeted by a complaint, and the Duggans went through the permitting process. Duggan says it cost him about $3,000, but it could easily have been much more.

For Lisignoli, there are two issues. He doesn’t think the law requires him to have a permit. But also, he’s worried that the permit fee could be just the beginning of an endless series of fees, requirements and related expenses. He’s heard what seem to him credible reports of people who describe their experience with government regulation that way.

Many people have signed Lisignoli’s petition opposing the county’s enforcement action, and he says the phone has been ringing off the hook from those who are angry about too much regulation.

For Deschutes County Community Development Director Tom Anderson, it’s a matter of enforcing the law. He says the state’s new agri-tourism law may provide an alternative path for Lisignoli, but he needs to engage with the county to explore options.

Shawn Cleave from the Oregon Farm Bureau disagrees. Cleave is a government affairs specialist who worked on the agri-tourism law, and said it’s specifically focused on purely non-farm uses, such as weddings and concerts.

Cleave says the activities described for Lisignoli’s event fit firmly within approved uses on farms and should not require a conditional use permit. And he says there are numerous examples throughout the state where similar events do not face such regulatory demands from county governments.

Deschutes County needs to take a hard look at similar cases throughout the state and evaluate whether its enforcement at the Central Oregon Pumpkin Co. is appropriate.

Enforce the law, yes. But do so in the least burdensome way possible.