Some townships allow you to be grandfathered in with whatever zoning rules were applicable at the time the property was developed.
For instance, we looked at a house that was built in the '80s and was on just over 5 acres.
The current zoning rules for that size of a property was around 3 horses.
However the seller checked with the town council and the zoning rules in place at the time the property was developed was 9 horses, so they were able to advertise that.
I appreciate all of the replies. This particular property is just a hair outside what we can make work. It’s lovely but the layout and “to do” list to make it perfect I fear will drive the price outside of our range and ability to have a serviceable house that could be home. It’s really cute but a new kitchen, plus removing trees, plus a new fence for the dogs, plus adding central air, plus some other things. It’s just creeping beyond the smart place to buy.
Here’s a link if anyone else is looking though. It’s a solidly built house. The barn is cute with an attached lean to.
http://www.kw.com/homes-for-sale/19320/PA/COATESVILLE/1525-S-BAILEY-RD/3yd-TRENDPA-6603941.html
[QUOTE=Leather;8226217]
Some townships allow you to be grandfathered in with whatever zoning rules were applicable at the time the property was developed.
For instance, we looked at a house that was built in the '80s and was on just over 5 acres.
The current zoning rules for that size of a property was around 3 horses.
However the seller checked with the town council and the zoning rules in place at the time the property was developed was 9 horses, so they were able to advertise that.[/QUOTE]
While this is true IME it is not retroactive. Most zoning changes effects new construction, future development. Zoning changes that effect existing property uses and or development the owners are given a chance to apply for a variance and or “grandfather” their property under existing zoning. But the opportunity to do this is “time sensitive” with a limited window in which to do this. The fees and paper work must be submitted before the advertised deadline. Once that passes it can be very difficult if not impossible to change it “back” in the future. A property owner would have to seek a “conditional use” variance. Can be time consuming and expensive. All the surrounding property owners will be given a chance to “chime it” on how they feel about things. And their feelings carry a LOT of weight.
Our township upped the minimum acreage for a new single family residence from 5 acres to 25 acres about 10 years ago. There is a 25+ acre undeveloped piece of property across the road from us and next to some property we own also. Behind it is another large horse farm. The owner does not live in our township and was “asleep at the wheel” when the change was proposed, opened for review, commentary and passed with over 88% of township residents voting for it.
If the owner had been paying attention they could have “grandfathered” the 5 acre development right. And we might have been looking at 5 houses at some point in the future. There is no way that the township will grant a variance at this time. At least that is what I was told by our supervisors. None of our neighbors would go for it anyway.
[QUOTE=Xctrygirl;8226246]
I appreciate all of the replies. This particular property is just a hair outside what we can make work. It’s lovely but the layout and “to do” list to make it perfect I fear will drive the price outside of our range and ability to have a serviceable house that could be home. It’s really cute but a new kitchen, plus removing trees, plus a new fence for the dogs, plus adding central air, plus some other things. It’s just creeping beyond the smart place to buy.
Here’s a link if anyone else is looking though. It’s a solidly built house. The barn is cute with an attached lean to.
How adorable! And that’s just a stone’s throw from where I lived as a very young child before we moved to East Nottingham. Is it still West Bradford there? It should be pretty easy to look up the livestock zoning requirements online…
ETA: Looks like it’s right on the line between West Bradford and East Fallowfield, and I think it falls into East Fallowfield. If that’s the case, you’ be good to go for several horses on the property depending on how the pastures are arranged:
www.keystatepub.com/keystate-pdf/PA/Chester/East%20Fallowfield%20Township/Chapter%2027%20Zoning.pdf
Pg. 157-158
Summary: 2 acre minimum for livestock, 1 acre for the 1st horse and 1/2 acre for every each additional horse, and a few other requirements regarding the location of barns/pastures. Of course, I’d confirm that with the township before purchase. :lol:
[QUOTE=Xctrygirl;8226246]
I appreciate all of the replies. This particular property is just a hair outside what we can make work. It’s lovely but the layout and “to do” list to make it perfect I fear will drive the price outside of our range and ability to have a serviceable house that could be home. It’s really cute but a new kitchen, plus removing trees, plus a new fence for the dogs, plus adding central air, plus some other things. It’s just creeping beyond the smart place to buy.
Here’s a link if anyone else is looking though. It’s a solidly built house. The barn is cute with an attached lean to.
The house is adorable! I’d totally put up with a functional but outdated kitchen if the horse part of the property is nice and doesn’t need much work. Regardless, good luck with your search. Horse property shopping–fun!!
Oh for sure it’s a lovely house, but the DH “can’t” live with that kitchen. Gave him nightmares thinking about it. And it’s not got central AC and it was feeling warm throughout.
And to be fair the “horse” part of the property is a fenced in pasture that maybe is 3/4 of an acre, and a barn with one broodmare stall and a ‘shed’ in the form of an extended lean to on the side. Riding there would be challenging and honestly it would really only be useful as a place at home to stash a layup horse or a retiree. The owner of the house’s daughter lives on adjacent property and her 40 year old sr citizen lives in the field. He seems ok, a bit neuro looking when he walked, but hey not my horse!
I just am looking for a 2000 sq ft house with 1-3 acres.
Not looking to have my horses at home, but wanted to do the due diligence and check if it was a must have.
Emily
[QUOTE=Xctrygirl;8227358]
Oh for sure it’s a lovely house, but the DH “can’t” live with that kitchen. Gave him nightmares thinking about it. And it’s not got central AC and it was feeling warm throughout.[/QUOTE]
I’m with your DH. As someone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen of my own design enjoying some of the culinary arts, I’d have to blow that out to a full gut, put on an addition and completely rebuild it to be functional and enjoyable! Major big bucks for that, even doing all or most of the work yourselves.
OP, that house is cute. I can see why you liked it.
Hopefully you find something that fits your needs in all aspects.
[QUOTE=Texarkana;8223556]
Bottom line: call the township and ask.[/QUOTE]
I think this is the only right answer to the question of ‘how many horses can I legally put on this piece of land’. Each property has its own rules.
I will admit, the original post had me wondering if the OP was asking about legal or what is best horse keeping practices. No need to get upset with someone who was answer either of those questions. I am glad it was finally clarified.
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