In Washtenaw County, the exact acreage required for horses is determined by local zoning ordinances set by individual cities and townships, rather than county-wide guidelines. There isn't a single, universal rule across all of Washtenaw County.

General Acreage Guideline:

While specific rules vary, a common starting point to consider is 5 acres for your first 1-2 horses, plus an additional 1 acre for every horse thereafter. This guideline helps ensure adequate space for grazing, exercise, and proper waste management.

Commercial Horse Operations & Michigan's Right To Farm Act (RTFA):

If you plan to use your property for commercial horse activities, such as boarding, breeding, or training, Michigan's Right To Farm Act (RTFA) may offer specific protections. This act can potentially allow for a higher number of horses than standard local zoning ordinances typically permit, especially for established farm operations.

Next steps: Contact your local planning department to confirm zoning for your property — or reach out to us and we’ll help you get the answers you need.

There are several options for financing an equestrian property. Some equestrian properties will qualify for conventional mortgages, while others may require financing through an agricultural lender or even an SBA loan.

From our experience, many buyers successfully secure financing through an agricultural lender, who can typically lend on a wide range of equestrian property types — including those with acreage, barns, arenas, and business operations.

Need help finding the right lender? Contact us and we’ll connect you with equestrian-friendly financing partners.

Finding the perfect equestrian property can be tricky because many listings don’t appear on public websites. Besides the MLS, a number of equestrian properties are sold off-market and aren’t publicly advertised.

To discover these hidden gems:

• Partner with a local real estate agent who specializes in equestrian properties and has access to exclusive or private listings.
• Tap into equestrian-focused real estate networks and referral groups.
• Network within local horse communities and connect with property owners directly.

If you want help accessing both listed and off-market properties in Washtenaw County or other areas, feel free to contact us. We can guide you to opportunities you won’t find online.

Most real estate websites pull their listings from the MLS, but horse properties are difficult to find because MLS systems aren’t built to showcase equestrian features. In Michigan, there are multiple MLSs, and they often lack consistent fields for barns, arenas, fencing, or turnout. Unlike filters for acreage or square footage, equestrian amenities aren’t standardized — so the listings you see may be incomplete or misleading.

To save time and avoid missing out, work with a Realtor who specializes in horse properties and can combine listings from all MLSs into one accurate search. If you're looking for equestrian properties in Washtenaw County, reach out and let us build a custom search for you.

The best way to get started is with a Market Analysis specifically designed for equestrian properties. As Michigan’s #1 equestrian property broker based right here in Washtenaw County, we understand what makes these properties unique and their market demand.

We’ll provide expert pricing guidance, marketing strategy, and everything you need to make an informed decision. Let’s get started — request your free Market Analysis today.