El Dorado County Horse Properties for Sale

By Matthew Martinez, Founder, CEO & Managing Broker, Diamond Real Estate Group. California DRE #01869679.

El Dorado County horse properties are mostly in the foothill residential-estate, rural lands and agricultural zones of the unincorporated county. The county zoning ordinance (Title 130) permits animal raising and keeping and grazing outright in its agricultural, rural lands and resource zones. On residential lots, large animals such as horses are permitted by right only on R2A, R3A and RE lots of more than two acres. Smaller lots and the R1A zone need an Administrative Permit, and a commercial stable needs a Conditional Use Permit in any zone.

At a glance

Where to look in El Dorado County

Start with the El Dorado County real estate hub. Horse-capable parcels are spread through the western foothills, wherever Rural Lands (RL), residential-estate (RE), R2A/R3A or agricultural zoning is mapped. Two places to begin:

• Cool and the Georgetown Divide. Acreage and rural-residential parcels in the northwest county; see Cool real estate, our Cool parcel jurisdiction and services guide and the Cool private roads guide.
• The El Dorado Trail corridor. The county’s El Dorado Trail links the western county line, the community of El Dorado, Placerville and Camino, so parcels near the corridor can be close to a public riding route.

The zoning designator on the parcel matters more than the community name. For example, an RL-20 parcel and an R1A parcel in the same area allow horses under very different rules. Our El Dorado County property use and permit research guide shows how to look up the zone. For foothill versus Tahoe-basin property, see the foothill and Tahoe property comparison, and for town-by-town context, see where to live in El Dorado County.

What to check before you buy

Which zone, and which permit

The ordinance splits horse keeping into two regimes:

• Agricultural, rural lands and resource zones (LA, PA, AG, RL, FR and TPZ). Table 130.21.020 lists animal raising and keeping, grazing, and hiking and equestrian trails as permitted uses. Commercial stables need a Conditional Use Permit. "Private stable" isn’t listed as its own use in this table, so ask Planning how a large private barn is classified.
• Residential zones. Section 130.40.080 and its matrix (Table 130.40.080.1) govern. Large animals (horses, cattle, mules) are permitted in R2A, R3A and RE and need an Administrative Permit in R1A. Keeping large animals on any lot under two acres needs an Administrative Permit. Up to two large animals may be allowed that way on R1A lots under two acres. Adjacent lots under two acres in the same ownership, run as one operation, can count together toward the two-acre minimum.

Private stables, boarding and lessons

A private stable on a residential lot may have no more than three patrons at once and no more than 15 per day unless the owner gets a use permit under §130.40.160. Commercial stable standards are in §130.40.210, and commercial equine rental licensing is in Title 6, Chapter 6.24. If a listing advertises boarding, ask for the Conditional Use Permit and its conditions.

Manure, erosion and setbacks

Section 130.40.080 requires enclosures to be kept free of manure buildup, and it bars animal keeping that sends erosion or sediment onto roads, neighboring parcels or drainage channels. Barns, stables and other animal shelters must meet the zone’s setbacks. Look at paddock drainage during inspection, and confirm permits for every barn and arena.

Wells, septic and water rights

Rural El Dorado horse properties usually depend on a well or an irrigation water account, plus septic. Our El Dorado County rural house infrastructure guide lists what to test and request. If the property diverts from a creek, ask for its water-right filings. Under Water Code section 5101, most surface-water diverters must file an annual Statement of Water Diversion and Use with the State Water Resources Control Board.

Fire, insurance and evacuating horses

Insurance and access are part of the due diligence for foothill parcels; see our El Dorado County home insurance and access guide. The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s disaster preparedness guide for horse owners recommends:

• ID and records for each horse
• Trailers kept fueled, and horses practiced at loading
• Several destinations and routes
• At least three days of feed and water on hand
• An early departure

Check whether a loaded trailer can turn around on the driveway and get out on a shared road. Our guide to private road maintenance agreements explains who maintains it.

Riding near El Dorado horse properties

The county’s El Dorado Trail runs about 23 miles of natural-surface trail along the Sacramento-Placerville Transportation Corridor from the western county line to the community of El Dorado. Class 1 multi-use segments continue through Placerville to Camino. The county’s trail etiquette tells all users to yield to horses, and motor vehicles are prohibited. The page doesn’t state horse access segment by segment, so check posted signs at each trailhead.

Questions people ask

How much land do I need for a horse in El Dorado County?

On R2A, R3A and RE lots, large animals are permitted by right on more than two acres. Lots under two acres need an Administrative Permit. In the agricultural, rural lands and resource zones, animal raising and keeping is a permitted use.

Can I keep horses on R1A land?

Yes, with an Administrative Permit. The matrix lists large animals as "A" in R1A, and up to two may be allowed that way on R1A lots under two acres.

Do I need a permit to board horses?

A commercial stable needs a Conditional Use Permit in the agricultural, rural lands and resource zones. On residential lots, a private stable is limited to three patrons at a time and 15 per day without a use permit.

What are RL-10, RL-20 and RL-40?

They’re Rural Lands parcels. The suffix sets the minimum lot size in acres, with designators from 10 to 160. Animal raising and keeping and grazing are permitted uses in RL.

Does the county regulate manure?

Yes. Section 130.40.080 requires enclosures free of manure buildup and bars erosion or sediment reaching roads, neighbors or drainage channels.

Where can I ride near Placerville?

The El Dorado Trail runs from the western county line through El Dorado and Placerville to Camino. The county’s etiquette rules tell trail users to yield to horses.

Do these rules apply in Placerville?

No. Title 130 covers unincorporated El Dorado County. Inside a city, check that city’s code.

Sources & notes

1. El Dorado County Zoning Ordinance (Title 130): Tables 130.21.020 and 130.21.030, read via the Zoneomics mirror of Article 2; §130.40.080 and Table 130.40.080.1, read via the mirror of Article 4. Confirm the current text on the official El Dorado County Code or with the Planning and Building Department.
2. County of El Dorado, El Dorado Trail.
3. California Department of Food and Agriculture, Disaster Preparedness for Horse Owners.
4. State Water Resources Control Board, Statements of Water Diversion and Use; Water Code §5101.

Commercial stable standards (§130.40.210) aren’t summarized here because we didn’t open that section. General information, not legal advice. Updated November 2026. Primary sources are linked in this guide.

Related: El Dorado County homes for sale · Where to live in El Dorado County · El Dorado County land for sale · Cool acreage ownership budget · Woodside residential and equestrian property · Equestrian, ranch and acreage properties in Sonoma County