DIY punk venue in zoning fight for its life in rural Montgomery County

# What happened

Farm, a rural property in Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve. Its founders describe it as "punk, independent and proudly queer friendly." The space includes a homemade sound system and stage, focuses on punk and hardcore shows, and runs low-cost events—tickets run about $10.

In April 2025 the organizers planned a farm-based music festival that would combine the agricultural side of the property with live music: hayrides, pick-your-own flowers, and a petting zoo with goats were part of the plan. A permit for that event was issued and then rescinded four days later. After that, Montgomery County issued a cease-and-desist order. The Garage is now defending itself in court.

# Why this matters locally

Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve limits which commercial uses are allowed on farmland. Businesses permitted in the Reserve must "support or promote interest in agriculture." That criterion is applied to wineries and breweries, which operate there under county rules. The Garage sits in a gray area: it is on an active farm, but its primary activity is live music rather than agricultural production.

Founders Grace Cotting and Levi Hebeisen say the venue complements farm life and that attendees appreciate the rural setting. Hebeisen's father owns Honey Acres Farm, where the venue is located.

# The county's position and the dispute

Cotting says county staff cited The Garage as a "recreational facility." She also says the county has not provided a clear definition of that term. In private meetings and on the stand in court, she reports, county officials "couldn't define 'recreational facility' then, and again when they were asked on stand in court, they would not define that." The county's Department of Permitting Services declined to comment to reporters because of pending litigation.

The rescinded permit and the cease-and-desist are the immediate legal actions. The Garage is contesting the order in court and urging supporters to contact county officials about allowing live music at Honey Acres Farm under the same permissions granted to wineries and breweries.

# Community and programming details

Before the enforcement action, The Garage ran regular shows, including benefit performances. One of the last shows before the county intervened was a fundraiser featuring D.C. riot grrrl band Mac N' Toss to benefit the Sexual Violence Prevention Association. Organizers emphasize low ticket prices and a community-first ethos in booking.

# What the founders want

# What to watch next

The case is in court and the county will not comment on pending litigation. Outcomes to watch for include a court decision on the cease-and-desist, any formal zoning determination about whether live music on a farm fits within the Agricultural Reserve rules, and whether county policy or permitting practices around mixed farm-entertainment events change.