Steps for Starting an Equestrian Event Facility

Thank you for considering what it takes to open an equestrian event facility in Loudoun County! Equestrian event facilities provide the necessary event space for Loudoun’s world-class equine industry, thanks to talented entrepreneurs like you.

This page is designed to give you an overview of important considerations before establishing an equestrian event facility, but your specific situation may have different requirements. The Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance is the ruling document.

Working with Loudoun County and Virginia Commonwealth staff will help verify that those requirements are met. Our combined goal is to ensure that your operation is safe for customers so that your business can be successful.

Before establishing an equestrian event facility, it is important to understand what is permitted with that use. With the approval of an equestrian event facility, you are permitted to provide the following on-site services:

  • Equestrian events, including competitions, exhibitions, skill displays and teaching;
  • Caretaker’s quarters;
  • Care for, breeding, boarding, riding or training horses.

Non-equestrian events are not permitted as part of an equestrian event facility. Special events open to the public or private parties not open to the public and are by invitation only, such as weddings or wedding receptions, are regulated separately (see Zoning Ordinance Section 5-500(C), Special Events).

While this page focuses on equestrian event facilities, think about what additional uses (if any) you might consider later. Communicating these additional uses to Loudoun County and Virginia Commonwealth staff up front can help avoid surprises later in the process. If you have questions at any point, please contact Loudoun Economic Development at 1-800-LOUDOUN.

Detailed contact information for County and Commonwealth regulatory departments can be found at the bottom of this page.

Considerations Before You Buy:

Before you make any investment in the property, make sure that the parcel is zoned for your intended equestrian event facility. Ask yourself these questions:

Is your parcel zoned for an equestrian event facility? Contact the Department of Planning and Zoning to verify.

The Zoning Ordinance provides specific development and use requirements, and your business needs a clear determination about what is allowed. Equestrian event facilities may be on parcels of at least 25 acres, either owned or leased:

  • By right, if the parcel is zoned AR-1, AR-2, JLMA-20, TR-10 or PD-CV(CVSC);
  • By right, if the parcel is zoned A-3, A-10, JLMA-1, JLMA-2, JLMA-3, TR-1, TR-2, TR-3, TR-10, or PDRV(VCSS), if the property has direct access to a state-maintained road;
  • By Minor Special Exception if the parcel is zoned TR-3UBF or TR-3LF, and does not have access to a state-maintained road;
  • By Special Exception if the parcel is zoned A-3, A-10, CR-1, JLMA-1, JLMA-2, JLMA-3, TR-1, or TR-2, TR-10, TR-3LBR, and does not have direct access to a state-maintained road.

Planning and Zoning can also tell you if there are development regulations for your business, such as restrictions on structure size and location, signage, road width and access. They can also determine the required parking and landscaping. Your parcel must meet the zoning requirements for your zoning district and Section 5-627 or 5-630, which may be modified by Minor Special Exception.

Does the parcel have adequate well and septic to support the use? Contact the Health Department to verify.

Equestrian event facilities are located on parcels typically serviced by wells and septic systems. The Health Department will make the determination if your parcel’s systems can support an equestrian event facility. If the systems are inadequate, they can help get your well and septic paperwork started with the Virginia Department of Health.

Do you plan to serve food on premises? Contact Department of Planning and Zoning and the Health Department with questions.

Whether it’s a snack bar, mobile food truck or commercial kitchen (restaurant), Planning and Zoning can answer any question as to the type of food service allowed and the Health Department can answer any questions on food service regulations or direct you to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for limited food service approval.

Are you in an “environmentally sensitive” area? Contact Department of Building and Development to verify.

Whether you plan to construct buildings, parking, or just move some earth, there may be restrictions in a Floodplain Overlay District (Zoning Ordinance Section 4-1500), Mountainside Overlay District (Section 4-1600), Limestone Overlay District (Section 4-1900), or Steep Slopes (Section 5-1508).

Have you factored in location setbacks? Contact Department of Planning and Zoning to confirm.

A minimum amount of space is needed between your construction site and property boundaries or roads, whether for parking or structures. Setbacks vary, depending on your zoning district, type of business and the type of road that your parcel fronts. See Zoning Ordinance Section 5-600 and 5-900 for definitions.

Do you need to submit site plans? Contact Department of Building and Development to confirm.

Depending on your projects, you might have to submit a site plan or rural economy site plan to the engineering team in Building and Development.

Considerations Before You Break Ground:

Once you have property, a business plan, and a blueprint, there are steps to reach construction approval. Ask yourself these questions:

Do you need a grading permit? Contact Department of Building and Development to confirm.

If you’re planning to disturb more than 5,000 square feet of land, which includes applying gravel or other materials, or move dirt in any “environmentally sensitive” area, you will need a grading permit.

Do you need a building permit? Contact Department of Building and Development to confirm.

Whether you’re building new or altering the use of an existing structure, you will need a building permit from Building and Development, unless it is exempt under Virginia law (Click to apply for exemption). Safety is an important consideration for equestrian event facilities, so we encourage all rural businesses to utilize minimum fire and life safety standards. Going through the permitting process ensures that details of your plan aren’t overlooked. This reduces surprises later and could help in getting your space insured.

Do you need to modify access to roads? Contact Virginia Department of Transportation to verify and Department of Planning and Zoning with questions.

If your parcel is accessible by state roads, access points may need to be improved to accommodate customer traffic. If so, you will need permit approval from VDOT. Department of Planning and Zoning can answer any question as to whether on-site driveways may need to be improved.

Do you need a zoning permit? Contact Department of Building and Development to verify.

A zoning permit is required for new construction or the expansion of existing structures, to start a new use or to change use (turning another rural business into an equestrian event facility), or expand an approved use.

Considerations Before Opening for Business:

Once you have completed the construction process, there are a few more considerations before opening to the public. Ask yourself these questions:

Do you plan to use exterior signage? Contact Department of Building and Development for information.

Signs are an important factor in marketing your business and attracting customers. Contact Building and Development for the permitted size and type of signs, then apply for a sign permit.

Have you had a fire inspection? Contact the Loudoun Fire Marshal to schedule an appointment.

The Fire Marshal must inspect to determine that your property and structures are safe for the public to use, and accessible for emergency personnel. You may also need an approved fire safety and evacuation plan, as required by the Loudoun County Fire Prevention Code. If necessary, the Fire Marshal issues your assembly permit.

Do you have enough parking? Contact Department of Planning and Zoning to confirm.

Parking is required at an equestrian event facility, with a minimum of 0.33 parking spaces per person in maximum occupancy, plus one parking space per employee. Contact Planning and Zoning with questions about parking and consult Zoning Ordinance Section 5-1102 for specific information. For the sake of your customers, consider what will be enough to serve the best interests of your business.

Contact Us

There is a lot to consider as you imagine or expand your rural business. Loudoun County has resources to assist in planning, permitting and growing your rural business.

LOUDOUN COUNTY GOVERNMENT

DepartmentContactPhoneWebsite
Department of Economic Development John Magistro 703-737-8820http://biz.loudoun.gov
Department of Planning and Zoning Planning and Zoning703-777-0246http://loudoun.gov/dpz
Business Assistance Team Business Assistance Team703-777-0293http://loudoun.gov/BAT
Health Department - Wells and Septic SystemsJoshua Hepner703-777-0234http://loudoun.gov/eh
Health Department - Food ServiceVictor Avitto703-771-5806http://loudoun.gov/eh
Department of Building and Development - EngineeringBuilding and Development703-777-0220https://www.loudoun.gov/1315/Site-Plans
Department of Building and Development - Natural ResourcesAnna Dougherty703-737-0253https://www.loudoun.gov/1321/Natural-Resources
Department of Building and Development - Grading Permits Joseph Ohler703-737-8952http://loudoun.gov/commercialconstruction
Department of Building and Development - Building PermitsChris Thompson703-771-5527http://loudoun.gov/commercialconstruction
Department of Building and Development - Zoning PermitsBuilding and Development703-777-0220http://loudoun.gov/commercialconstruction
Department of Building and Development - Sign PermitsLee Ann Baty703- 737-8205http://loudoun.gov/commercialconstruction
Fire MarshalChris Barry703-737-8600http://loudoun.gov/firemarshal

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DepartmentContactPhoneWebsite
Virginia Cooperative ExtensionStuart Vermaak703-777-0373http://loudoun.ext.vt.edu
Alcoholic Beverage ControlMarc Haalman804-213-4626http://abc.virginia.gov
Office of Drinking WaterDavid Travers540-829-7340http://vdh.virginia.gov
Department of Agriculture and Consumer ServicesCentral Office804-786-3501http://vdacs.virginia.gov
Department of Soil and WaterChris Van Vlack571-918-4530, ext. 107http://lswcd.org
Department of TransportationStaff800-367-7623http://vdot.virginia.gov