Marin County · Land use · Horses and stables
Where is keeping horses allowed in Marin County?
In Marin County, keeping horses is allowed in 4 base zones (A2, A3 to A60, ARP and OA), needs a principally permitted or use permit, depending on chapter 22.32 criteria in 7 (RA, RR, RE, R1, RSP and 2 more) and not allowed in 3 (Marin County use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: A2, A3 to A60, ARP and OA
- Needs a permit: RA, RR, RE, R1, RSP, R2 and RMP
- Not allowed: RX, RF and PF
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Marin 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
Marin County's code calls this use “Horses, donkeys, mules, ponies”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| A2 Agriculture Limited | Allowed | § 22.08.030 |
| A3 to A60 Agriculture and Conservation (A3 to A60) | Allowed | § 22.08.030 |
| ARP Agriculture Residential Planned | Allowed | § 22.08.030 |
| OA Open Area | Allowed | § 22.14.030 |
| RA Residential Agriculture | Needs a principally permitted or use permit, depending on chapter 22.32 criteria | § 22.10.030 |
| RR Residential Restricted | Needs a principally permitted or use permit, depending on chapter 22.32 criteria | § 22.10.030 |
| RE Residential Estate | Needs a principally permitted or use permit, depending on chapter 22.32 criteria | § 22.10.030 |
| R1 Residential Single-Family | Needs a principally permitted or use permit, depending on chapter 22.32 criteria | § 22.10.030 |
| RSP Residential Single-Family Planned | Needs a principally permitted or use permit, depending on chapter 22.32 criteria | § 22.10.030 |
| R2 Residential Two-Family | Needs a principally permitted or use permit, depending on chapter 22.32 criteria | § 22.10.030 |
| RMP Residential Multiple Planned | Needs a principally permitted or use permit, depending on chapter 22.32 criteria | § 22.10.030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- "Equestrian facilities" is a separate commercial row: ag P/P(1)/P(2), RA U, RMP U(4), RSP U(4), OA U; "-" elsewhere. Standards: 22.32.030.
- Not covered here: Coastal zoning districts (Title 20, Tables 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, Coastal Agricultural, Residential and Commercial districts): only the intro section 20.62.040 is in the packet, the tables are missing.; Section 22.32 standards (22.32.030 animal keeping, 22.32.050 child care, 22.32.085 SRO, 22.32.095 homeless shelters, 22.32.150) and Article VIII definitions are not in the packet.; Combining districts (e.g. PF-RSP, San Geronimo Valley) can change allowed uses.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Marin County
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have keeping horses in the RA zone in Marin County?
Only with a principally permitted or use permit, depending on chapter 22.32 criteria. Marin County's use table lists it that way in RA (Residential Agriculture) (§ 22.10.030).
Can I have keeping horses in the RX zone in Marin County?
No. Marin County's use table does not allow it in RX (Residential Mobile Home Park) (§ 22.10.030).
Can I have keeping horses in the A2 zone in Marin County?
Yes. Marin County's use table lists it as allowed in A2 (Agriculture Limited) (§ 22.08.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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