Nipomo and the rural edges of Arroyo Grande are two of the South County areas where buyers look for room for horses. A great horse property is about more than acreage. Here is what to check.
By Richard Gonzalez, REALTOR® · The Gonzalez Group at Compass ·
Whether you can keep horses, and how many, depends on county or city zoning, lot size and any HOA rules or CC&Rs. Most rural Nipomo and Arroyo Grande acreage is in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County, so check with County Planning & Building. Inside Arroyo Grande city limits, check with the city.
Horses need reliable water. Find out whether the property is on a water district, a mutual water company or a private well. For a well, ask for flow and water-quality tests and service records.
Ask for permits on barns, stalls, arenas, covered shelters and any living space in outbuildings. Unpermitted structures can affect insurance, financing and resale.
Walk the fencing, gates and paddocks. Look at how arenas and paddocks drain in winter rains and whether footing has been maintained.
Check road access for a truck and trailer, any shared or private road maintenance agreements, and how far you are from trails and riding areas you plan to use.
Some rural and hillside areas are in mapped fire hazard zones. Get insurance quotes early and ask about defensible-space requirements.
No. It depends on zoning, lot size and any CC&Rs. Confirm with County of San Luis Obispo Planning & Building.
If the property has a private well, a flow test and a water-quality test are common.
Many structures do. Ask the seller for permits and check county records.
Richard Gonzalez, REALTOR® (CA DRE 01429838), and Monique Garza of The Gonzalez Group at Compass.
General information only, not legal, tax or lending advice. Verify rules with the city, county, lender or a licensed professional. Richard Gonzalez, REALTOR®, CA DRE 01429838 · Compass, CA DRE 01991628 · 763 Shell Beach Rd, Pismo Beach, CA 93449 · 805-268-4407 · Equal Housing Opportunity.
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