Overview 

Horses and stables within the City of Chanhassen are required to obtain an annual permit. The stable inspector shall inspect the premises of those seeking a stable permit and shall approve an application that is in compliance with this chapter or disapprove applications that are not in compliance with this chapter for permits under this division. Annual permit renewals shall be applied for by June 1 of each year. 

Conditions Required for Permit Issuance 

• Property must be located in the A-2, RR, or RSF zoning districts.
• Minimum pasture acreage for horses shall be determined as follows:
  • Grassed pasture two acres per horse. Mini-horses and alpacas may reduce the required grassed pasture to one-quarter acre per mini-horse or alpaca. A grassed pasture provides sufficient and suitable vegetation for the feeding of a horse during the growing season.
  • Dry lot 400 square feet of pasture per horse. Mini-horses and alpacas may be reduced to 200 square feet of dry lot per mini-horse or alpaca. A "dry lot" does not provide sufficient and suitable vegetation for the feeding of a horse.   
    
    The applicant shall specify on the permit what acreage of pasture is grassed and what acreage is dry lot. 
• No stable permit shall be issued for a lot of less than one acre, or a lot with less than 120 square feet of free access shelter. 
• Pasture area shall be enclosed by a sturdy wood, metal, or electrical fence which will keep the animal or animals confined within. 
• All shelters and stabling facilities must be setback at least 100 feet from any structure used for residential purposes, excepting those owned by the applicant. 
• The shelter or stabling facility shall be so located so as not to create a public nuisance. 
• The shelter or stabling facility shall be clean and sanitary. Excessive feces, urine, mud or other waste products must not accumulate within the housing enclosures or to the extent that these cause unhealthy conditions. 
• Keeping, storing, stabling, or maintenance of horses shall not directly contribute to the pollution of any public body of water. 
• Accumulations of manure shall be located at least 100 feet from any well. 
• All accumulations of manure shall be removed at such periods as will ensure that no leaching or objectionable odors exist, and the premises shall not be allowed to become unsightly. 
• The shelter structure shall be a minimum of 200 feet from any wetland.

Revocation 

A permit issued pursuant to this division may be revoked by the stable inspector if it is determined, after investigation by the stable inspector or a designated employee and after holding a hearing thereon, proceeded by notice of the hearing to be given to the holder of the permit mailed to the address shown on the application or most recent annual registration statement at least ten days prior to the hearing, that: 

• The permit holder has not maintained the standards set forth in section 5-104;  
• The winter accumulation of manure is not removed from the stabling area prior to May 1 of each year or as soon as is practicable thereafter; 
• The permit holder failed to make a reasonable effort to keep the horse, or horses, under control and contained within the applicant's stabling area;  
• The permit holder has treated a horse cruelly or inhumanely or has not furnished adequate care to a horse as set forth in section 5-89;  
• The horses are kept, stabled, boarded, or harbored in such a manner as to constitute a public nuisance; or  
• The accumulation of manure presents a hazard to public health.

Pre-Existing Uses 

Properties with a valid stable permit as of May 8, 2017 may continue renew their stable permit in the following situations: 

• Non-conforming uses: The applicant may apply for a stable permit for up to the number of horses allowed by a previous permit, subject to the requirements of sections 20-71 to 20-91.
• Interim use permit: Interim use permits for stables shall not be revoked by a change in zoning. Holders of interim use permits may continue to apply for and receive stable permits under the terms of their interim use permit.
• Conditional use permit: Holders of conditional use permits may continue to apply for and receive stable permits under the terms of their conditional use permits.

In any case where a property owner wishes to increase the number of horses housed on the property beyond what was allowed by a previous permit, they must meet the requirements of this article.