Should equestrian-related uses, including equestrian events, be classified as agricultural uses in the Zoning Ordinance?
For purposes of zoning, a Horse Farm is considered agriculture. This category would typically encompass the keeping or breeding of horses for sale. Certainly horse boarding facilities seem an appropriate extension of this allowed use, and possibly appropriate for properties that are preserved for agriculture, which includes maintaining property in pasture. Instruction activities are less clearly agricultural in nature, but are certainly an important accessory activity on many horse farms in Fauquier County today. Equestrian events are also much less clearly agricultural in character. With the exception of farm wineries, which have special status under the Code of Virginia with respect to events, all other agricultural uses in the County would be required, under the existing Ordinance, to secure special exception approval for any events held in conjunction with the agricultural operations. For example, Cows and Corn, in Midland, holds a special exception for the various activities they
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