Hart County imposes 90-day moratorium on commercial shooting ranges; staff asked to draft ordinance

Hart County commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 13 to impose a 90-day moratorium on commercial shooting and firing ranges while staff researches ordinance language, setbacks and acreage requirements.

Commissioner Bridal moved the moratorium, saying the pause would give staff time to prepare draft rules; the motion carried 5–0. In the discussion a commissioner urged the board to model potential language on neighboring counties and noted state law limits local authority over existing ranges.

Why it matters: commissioners said they want clear local rules for for-profit ranges that address public-safety buffers (schools, churches), minimum property sizes, and procedures for permitting. Speakers referenced Liberty County’s example and other county ordinances as starting points; Liberty County’s restriction was described in the meeting as a two-acre requirement for business ranges and 1,000-foot buffers from schools and government property.

Key points from the discussion: an attendee and several commissioners emphasized that state law can exempt existing ranges from new local ordinances, so a moratorium would not necessarily affect established operations but would prevent new commercial operations from proceeding while the county writes local rules. One speaker proposed a 4-to-5-acre minimum for new commercial ranges; others recommended relying on existing DNR rules as a baseline for safety and environmental oversight.

Board action and next steps: Commissioner Bridal moved and another commissioner seconded the moratorium motion; the board voted 5–0 in favor. Staff was asked to gather examples (Liberty County and others) and to bring back draft ordinance language covering setbacks, hours of operation and acreage minimums. The transcript records the funding/administrative limitations and multiple references to state law; the board did not adopt final ordinance language at this meeting.

Representative meeting quotes: "I just feel like we need to create an ordinance," said an attendee urging formal local regulation. "I'll I'll make a motion that we put in a 90 day moratorium on all shooting and fire ranges," said Commissioner Bridal during the meeting.