§ 9-19. Commercial stables.

The following requirements shall apply to commercial stables:

1.

A minimum of one and ½ (1.5) acres per horse is required. A reduction of the minimum acreage per horse may be allowed by special exception on lots of at least twelve (12) acres in the C-2, RC-1, RC-2, and SC-1 zoning districts.

2.

Two (2) or more parcels may be used to meet the acreage requirements, provided the parcels are located within one hundred fifty (150) feet of each other and are not separated by a state right-of-way greater than forty (40) feet.

3.

The minimum acreage shall not include the area occupied by the primary or accessory structures and associated yards, and/or areas of wetlands.

4.

The minimum required acreage shall be suitable for grazing when the use is initiated or, if the property owner has obtained approval of a livestock management plan from the Tidewater Soil and Water Conservation District, then within eighteen (18) months of initiation of the use.

5.

All horses shall be contained within a fenced area which may encompass all of, or for purposes of pasture rotation, a portion of, the minimum required acreage.

6.

Commercial stables accessed from roads that are not included in the state highway system shall have no more than five (5) boarded horses, exclusive of horses owned by the property owner(s), and shall have no horse shows.

7.

Commercial stables accessed directly from roads included in the state highway system, and served by an entrance meeting the standards of the Virginia Department of Transportation, are permitted to have more than five (5) boarded horses, in addition to those owned by the property owner(s), and are permitted to have horse shows as follows:

a.

Horse shows are not permitted for commercial stables less than ten (10) acres in size.

b.

Up to four (4) horse shows per year are permitted for commercial stables greater than ten (10) acres but less than twenty (20) acres in size.

c.

More than four (4) horse shows per year are permitted for commercial stables greater than twenty (20) acres in size.

8.

Activity areas and/or accessory structures established as part of the use, such as stables, arenas, and the like, shall be located a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from all property lines. Areas for routine turnout and pasturing shall have no required setback.

9.

Composting piles shall be located a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from all property lines, watercourses, and water wells.

10.

Should an existing private stable be converted to a commercial stable, the minimum setback may be reduced to fifty (50) feet - provided that said stable is effectively screened from the adjacent property by a landscaped buffer at least twenty (20) feet in width and consisting of evergreen trees planted in staggered rows.

(Ord. of 7-5-2005, § 4; Ord. of 5-5-2015(2))

(Ord. of 7-5-2005, § 4; Ord. of 5-5-2015(2))