Equine Ordinance
The Equine Policy and Ordinance Development project (POD 11-011)
updated the County of San Diego’s Zoning Ordinance with regard to
equine uses. On July 13, 2011(1) the Board of Supervisors directed
staff to develop an ordinance for the permitting of a commercial horse
stable.
On September 11, 2013(1) the project was presented to the Board, with a tiered system of permitting that eliminated the need for a discretionary permit for some horse stables depending on the numbers of horses and the size of usable acreage for a stable. The focus of the changes in the ordinance was to regulations for commercial horse stables, in particular the requirement for a Major Use Permit in certain areas. The project provides greater permit flexibility with regulation tiers that are more restrictive with the intensity of the equine options starting with a ministerial approval for the least intensive.
The project was approved by the Board of Supervisors on September 11, 2013. The ordinance was effective Friday October 11, 2013. Here is the adopted ordinance and the Board's minute order approving the project:
FAQ and permit documents for the new permit types:
- Horse Stable Permit FAQ
- Zoning Verification Permit Cover
- Zoning Verification Permit Application
- Zoning Verification Permit Checklist
- Administrative Permit Cover
- Major Use Permit Cover
Contact Zoning for an appointment to submit plans for a new Horse Stable permit at 858-565-5981
Final Environmental Impact Report August 2013
Planning Commission Report June 14, 2013
Horse Maps
Large view, countywide map showing where Commercial Horse Stables are allowed under previous zoning:
County Commercial Horse Stable Map
Stable Interviews Map 2012-2013
Additional Equine Ordinance Information and Project Timeline:
Summer - Winter 2012 Community Planning and Sponsor Group Presentations regarding the Draft Ordinance Outline and Draft EIR.
January 19 - February 17, 2012 - POD 11-011, Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report public review
October 2011 - POD 11-011, Draft Ordinance Summary with initial recommendations on the project.
July 2011 - POD 10-010, staff was directed by the Board to develop a tiered Equine Ordinance. For additional information on the options that were considered, refer to the: July 13, 2011 Board Letter
May 2011 - POD 10-010, staff presented the Equine Options to the Planning Commission for consideration. For additional information refer to the: Planning Commission Hearing Report
March 2011 - the Board directed staff to Explore Options for Updating Equine Regulations: Item # 2 Equine Board Letter March 2, 2011
Information links regarding Best Management Practices in the County:
County of San Diego – Watershed Protection Program
Links to information from the County Watershed Protection Program regarding:
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