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Planning commission recommends code changes to ease permitting for small equine businesses
Summary
The commission voted to recommend approval of WDCA26-0003, a development-code amendment that creates a new equine facility use category with small/medium/large tiers, relaxes certain commercial requirements for small operations and adds Article 342 for agricultural uses. Staff said the update follows extensive outreach and is intended to make permitting more workable for equine operators.
The Washoe County Planning Commission on July 7 recommended approval of WDCA26-0003, a development-code amendment that replaces the existing "commercial stable" classification with a tiered equine facility framework and creates Article 342 for agricultural uses.
Cat Oakley, planning staff, described the background and goals: the code change follows outreach beginning in 2024, including a consultant-led survey and multiple public rounds that drew nearly 1,900 survey responses and numerous meetings. The amendment creates three tiers — small (1–8 horses), medium (9–20) and large (21 or more) — with different permitting pathways: by-right for many small facilities, administrative review for most medium facilities and special use permits generally reserved for large facilities.
Oakley said the proposal codifies a 35,000-square-foot minimum lot size for certain equine facilities, allows temporary restroom facilities for small and medium operations that are not in structures (with coordination from Northern Nevada Public Health and Washoe County Building), permits unpaved all-weather surfaces for agricultural uses with 20 or fewer parking spaces, reduces landscaping requirements and provides flexibility for rural properties (for example, more permissive allowances on parcels of at least 35 acres).
Speakers from the equine community addressed the commission. Catherine Yarte, founder and president of the Nevada Equine Council and owner/operator of Team Yarte Horsemanship, testified in support and described years of collaboration with county staff and state partners. Deanna Newcomb and Landis Whitmer expressed concern that the draft could inadvertently subject historically small backyard boarding (one or two horses) in low-density suburban (LDS) areas to administrative review; staff clarified that small equine facilities in LDS zones with fewer than three horses would be allowed by-right, consistent with current practice.
Commissioner Kennedy moved to recommend approval, authorize the chair to sign the resolution and direct staff to present the recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners within 60 days. Commissioner Owens seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: the commission will transmit its recommendation and resolution to the Board of County Commissioners for final action; staff noted additional details and summaries of public engagement are available in the staff report and online links.
