Equestrian & acreage
Buying an Equestrian Home in Hawke's Bluff: A Property Checklist
Quick answer
A paddock, barn or riding ring is only as valuable as your right to keep using it. Before you pay a premium for an equestrian home in Hawke's Bluff, confirm three things for that exact parcel: what the Town of Davie zoning allows on the lot, whether each structure was permitted, and what any HOA or recorded restriction says about animals and outbuildings. Then budget the upkeep a horse setup adds. The listing description is a starting point, not evidence.
Start with the parcel, not the neighborhood's reputation
A Hawke's Bluff neighborhood name or acreage description is not a horse-keeping authorization. Lot size, zoning district and recorded restrictions must be checked for the address. Pull the parcel record from the Broward County Property Appraiser to confirm lot dimensions, recorded improvements and the land-use code, then compare that to what you see on the ground.
If the barn, covered arena or second structure on site does not appear in the property record, that is not proof of a problem — but it is a question to answer before the inspection period ends.
Davie §12-34(B)(6): acreage alone does not allow horses
The Town of Davie Farm Guide, March 2020 edition reproduces Land Development Code §12-34(B)(6), which prohibits raising horses and other listed livestock in residential zoning districts except RR (Rural Ranches), AG, A-1 and R-1. The text also preserves an exception for qualifying nonconforming farm uses. This is a residential-district rule, not a blanket statement about every zoning district. A large lot by itself does not establish a legal right to keep horses.
Ask Town of Davie Planning & Zoning to confirm the current district, applicable amendments, animal limits and any documented nonconforming status using the parcel address or folio. The BCPA use code is an appraisal classification, not a municipal zoning determination. Request permit history and final inspections from the Building Division for barns, electrical work and other improvements.
The equestrian checklist for one Hawke's Bluff address
| Feature you're paying for | What to request | Who confirms it |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping horses on the lot | Zoning district for the parcel and any animal-count rule that applies | Town of Davie Planning & Zoning |
| Barn, stalls, tack room | Permit history and final inspections for each structure | Town of Davie Building Division |
| Fencing and gates | Survey showing fence location vs. property lines and easements | Licensed surveyor |
| Riding ring / paddocks | Drainage after rain; any fill or grading permits | Surveyor, Town records |
| Trail or road access for horses | Recorded easements; HOA rules on trail use | Title company, HOA documents |
| Manure handling and wash area | How waste and washwater are handled today | Seller disclosure; ask the Town if unsure |
HOA and recorded restrictions
Some Davie communities have a homeowners association and recorded declarations; some do not. Ask the seller and the title company whether the parcel is subject to a declaration, and read the sections on animals, outbuildings, fencing and commercial use. A private boarding or lesson arrangement that a past owner ran informally may not be allowed for the next owner.
Ownership costs that a horse setup adds
Get insurance quotes during the inspection period. Do not rely on a seller's current premium — coverage depends on the new owner, the structures and how they are used.
- Fence and gate repair and replacement over time
- Footing, drainage and mowing for paddocks and rings
- Barn roof, electrical and water lines to outbuildings
- Manure removal or composting
- Insurance: ask your agent whether the barn and any equine activities need separate coverage
On-site checks before you commit
- Walk the lot after a heavy rain if you can, and note where water stands.
- Ask which structures could be rebuilt as-is if damaged, and which would need new approval.
- Check gate width and turning room for a horse trailer.
- Confirm water source and pressure at the barn.
Related Mora Realty Davie pages
Sources
- Broward County Property Appraiser — parcel search — Parcel boundaries, recorded owner, building and land-use codes
- Town of Davie — Planning & Zoning — Address/folio-based zoning inquiries and proposed-use verification; request Building Division permit records separately
- Town of Davie Farm Guide — March 2020 edition — Published compilation of §12-34(B)(1), (3) and (6); historical reference, not a current parcel approval