Backyard Horse Corral: Researching Zoning Laws

Different states have different laws governing the construction of backyard horse corral. Some states have more lenient rules than the others so it is very important to check with your local council regarding this matter. To help you research zoning laws governing the construction of backyard horse corral, here is what you should do.

Check Out the Land Classification of your Area

Each town or city has its own comprehensive land use plan where areas around the town or city are classified into commercial, residential, agriculture and others. If you live in the countryside, you will probably find more areas in your locality classified as agricultural but if you live in the city, finding an area where to keep your horse can be a big challenge. To find out the classification of your land, go to your local land registration office and check out the land classification maps. You can also get an idea on the kind of your land classification through your real estate tax certificate. The tax certificate to your land shows its classification, however, you should not rely on this information alone if you want to build your backyard horse corral according to local regulations. Remember that in some areas, not all areas that are declared as agricultural can be utilized as horse corrals. In some neighborhoods, setting up backyard horse corrals is strictly prohibited so it is best for you to go through your town or cities land use plan and land use regulations before you start building anything.

Pay Attention to Drainage Requirements

Horse corrals need good drainage system and most towns and cities around the country are very particular when it comes to corral drainage systems. Some types of lands are prone to flooding while others are not so it is imperative that you check the viability of your geographical location before you plan to construct any animal corrals. Note that run-offs from corrals and animal feedlots have the potential to contaminate streams and other bodies of water especially during the rainy season so before you set up your backyard horse corals, check out the drainage requirements first. To get an idea as to what types of drainage system you need to set up a backyard go to your local government’s engineering office or building authority and ask for their help.

Know the Prohibitions

There are a number of zoning restrictions that apply to backyard horse corrals especially around the suburb areas. When planning your corral, pay close attention to structural restrictions like the size of your corral and the height of your fences. Remember that failure to adhere to restrictions can result to penalties and possible destruction of your structure. You may request your local engineers or building inspectors to evaluate your property first before you finalize your building plan to avoid future problems.

Horse Disaster Plan

There are a number of towns and cities around the country that require you to present a horse disaster plan together with your structural plans when applying for horse corral construction permits. Most local government units that require horse disaster plans provide checklists of the things that you should include in your plan so you will not be totally in the dark as what to do.