Commission discusses riding‑stable application and whether horseback activities qualify as agritourism

The commission discussed a special‑use permit application for a riding stable or academy on a 36‑acre parcel on Oak Forest Lane and whether the proposed use should be regulated as agritourism under state code.

Staff summarized Virginia’s agritourism definition — activities on a farm or ranch that allow public recreational, educational or entertainment access to agricultural activities — and noted that whether a riding stable counts as agritourism can hinge on whether boarding and commercial activities are the primary business. Staff said if horseback riding is accessory to an agricultural operation, the right‑to‑farm argument may apply, but if boarding or wedding‑style commercial activity becomes the primary revenue source, courts have in some cases treated the property as a commercial venue rather than an agritourism activity.

Commissioners asked for examples from other Virginia counties and for legal input; staff said additional code clarifications and guidance will be sought and that the riding stable item will return for further review once legal guidance and comparative local examples are collected.