Yolo County · Land use · Horses and stables
Where is keeping horses allowed in Yolo County?
In Yolo County, keeping horses is allowed in 6 base zones (A-N, A-X, RR-5, RR-2, R-L and 1 more, all with a condition), needs a permit in 3 (A-C, A-I and A-R, all with a condition) and not allowed in 1 (Yolo County use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: A-N, A-X, RR-5, RR-2, R-L and R-M
- Needs a permit: A-C, A-I and A-R
- Not allowed: R-H
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Yolo County Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where keeping horses can go
Yolo County's code calls this use “Private stables, less than 16 boarded horses and no special events (S1); Large domestic animals (fowl, horses, swine, goats) (S2)”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| A-N Agricultural Intensive | Allowed — see note Note Row: Specific Use Requirements: See Sec. 8-2.306(i) | § 8-2.304 |
| A-X | Allowed — see note Note Row: Specific Use Requirements: See Sec. 8-2.306(i) | § 8-2.304 |
| RR-5 | Allowed — see note Note Row: Specific Use Requirements: See Sec. 8-2.506(j). Row: Large domestic animals (fowl, horses, swine, goats) | § 8-2.504 |
| RR-2 | Allowed — see note Note Row: Specific Use Requirements: See Sec. 8-2.506(j). Row: Large domestic animals (fowl, horses, swine, goats) | § 8-2.504 |
| R-L | Allowed — see note Note Row: Specific Use Requirements: See Sec. 8-2.506(j). Row: Large domestic animals (fowl, horses, swine, goats) | § 8-2.504 |
| R-M | Allowed — see note Note Row: Specific Use Requirements: See Sec. 8-2.506(j). Row: Large domestic animals (fowl, horses, swine, goats) | § 8-2.504 |
| A-C | Needs a site plan review — see note Note Row: Specific Use Requirements: See Sec. 8-2.306(i) | § 8-2.304 |
| A-I | Needs a site plan review — see note Note Row: Specific Use Requirements: See Sec. 8-2.306(i) | § 8-2.304 |
| A-R | Needs a minor use permit — see note Note Row: Specific Use Requirements: See Sec. 8-2.306(i) | § 8-2.304 |
Zones where it is not allowed
R-H.
What else applies
- Commercial stables: S1 small SP SP SP SP N, large UP(m) UP(m) SP SP N (Sec. 8-2.306(i)); S5 'Commercial riding stables, rodeos': P-R UP(m), POS N, PQP UP(M). Private stables with events: SP SP SP SP N. Horse breeding is A in S1 A-N to A-R.
- Not covered here: Tribal Trust Overlay (TT-O), Agricultural District Overlay (AD-O, Clarksburg; in Sec. 8-2.401) and Special Building (B) overlay: not in the use tables; Specific plan (S-P) and PD zones: only interim agricultural uses in Table 8-2.905-1. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Yolo County
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have keeping horses in the A-C zone in Yolo County?
Only with a site plan review. Yolo County's use table lists it that way in A-C (§ 8-2.304). The code adds a condition: “Specific Use Requirements: See Sec. 8-2.306(i)”
Can I have keeping horses in the R-H zone in Yolo County?
No. Yolo County's use table does not allow it in R-H (§ 8-2.504).
Can I have keeping horses in the A-N zone in Yolo County?
Yes, with a condition. Yolo County's use table lists it as allowed in A-N (Agricultural Intensive) (§ 8-2.304). The code adds a condition: “Specific Use Requirements: See Sec. 8-2.306(i)”
General information, not legal advice.
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