Owning horses is such a pleasure, not only riding, but also when you can look out your window and watch them anytime.
Many horse owners in Eastern Pennsylvania are searching for small acreage with a barn and house, so they can have their horses with them and enjoy them at all times. They search for properties that are already set up for horses with a barn and possibly fencing. When they have found one of their dreams, they are ready to buy it.
But, WAIT!!! Before putting in that offer, are you absolutely sure you can keep your horses there? There may be a possibility that you might not be able to. But why wouldn’t you be able to keep them on this property? It has plenty of room for pastures and it has a barn. Sounds perfect.
Just because there is a barn on the property and there is plenty of acreage does not mean horses are allowed. Local zoning determines whether or not horses are allowed. Even if horses are allowed on the property, check the local zoning ordinance to see how many horses can be housed. The last thing you would want is for the zoning officer to stop by and inform you that you are not in compliance with the local ordinance and the horses MUST be removed. Your dream just turned into a nightmare! Believe it or not, this has happened.
A horsewoman bought a property with several acres intending to keep her 5 horses. It had a barn with 5 stalls, so it was perfect for her. Shortly after settling in with her horses, the zoning officer came knocking on her door. He informed her that the zoning variance does not allow her to run an equine business on the property (which she was not). According to the local zoning ordinance, 1-3 horses were considered as pets and any more than that it was a business. Plus 10 acres or more was needed to have over 3 horses. End result was that she either had to get rid of 2 horses, or sell the property and find another place.
Each township has different zoning laws, which can change at any time. Before buying the horse property of your dreams in Eastern Pennsylvania, check out the zoning in that area first. Then, get it in writing from the zoning officer to protect yourself.
Go ahead and find that horse property you dreamed of in Pennsylvania, but make sure to do some research before actually buying it.
Eastern PA Horse Property Specialists – Call Us Today! ( 610) 849-1790
Our extensive knowledge of the eastern PA horse properties for sale market allows us to guide our clients intelligently. Whether you are looking to buy, sell or invest, we have one mission – to provide you with exceptional customer service throughout the entire transaction. We assist buyers and sellers within the following eastern Pennsylvania counties:
- Berks County PA equestrian properties
- Bucks County PA equestrian properties
- Carbon County PA equestrian properties
- Chester County PA equestrian properties
- Lehigh County PA equestrian properties
- Northampton PA equestrian properties
- Poconos PA equestrian properties
- Schulykill PA equestrian properties
For sellers, we also offer property evaluations and have acquired the knowledge over the years of how to effectively perform an accurate market analysis of PA horse farms for sale, general farms and PA back yard horse properties. Please give us a call today or fill out our online contact form and let us know how we can best assist you with your eastern PA horse property real estate needs!
Cindy Stys, Broker/owner
The Premier Equine Realty Firm Serving Eastern PA
Tel.: 610-849-1790
720 Smith Hill Rd
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
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