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Commercial Equestrian Facility Assessment Survey

Purpose: Help inform the Kitsap County Board of County Commissioners and the Department of Community Development in decision-making regarding commercial equestrian facilities; whether existing Kitsap County code and Washington Right-to-Farm protections are sufficient or if additional regulations are needed for commercial equestrian facilities, and, if so, what form they should take. Your input will help assess community and environmental impacts, the potential effects of additional regulations on commercial equestrian facilities, and opportunities to support equestrian operations.

Confidentiality: Responses will be summarized in aggregate.

Survey timeframe: February 4 - February 18. Results will be summarized and shared on the project webpage.
Section 1 – About You
1.Which best describes you? (Select all that apply)
2.What is your primary relationship to equestrian activities in the county?
3.In what general area of the county are you located?
4.Would you describe your area of the County as rural or urban?
Section 2 – Experience with Commercial Equestrian Facilities

Per KCC 17.455.030, “Equestrian facility” means a facility designed for equestrian activities and events, including boarding, breeding, and training facilities. May offer occasional assembly events, but is intended primarily for routine daily equestrian activities.

A later section includes questions to help us determine commercial thresholds.
5.How familiar are you with commercial equestrian facilities?
6.How familiar are you with the commercial equestrian facilities in Kitsap County?
7.What types of commercial equestrian activities do you interact with or observe? (Select all that apply)
Section 3 – Impacts Assessment
8.Overall, do you view commercial equestrian facilities as mostly:
9.Do you live next to or near a commercial equestrian facility?
10.If yes, how close?
11.Have you experienced, or observed but not personally experienced, any of the following impacts from a commercial equestrian facility?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
Not Sure
Traffic or parking issues
Noise*
Odor or manure management concerns*
Dust or mud*
Water quality or runoff concerns
Impacts to wildlife or habitat
Negative visual/aesthetic impacts
*Note: Under the Right-to-Farm protections (RCW 7.48.300) these conditions may not be considered nuisances for a farm when “in conformance with agricultural best management practices” per KCC 17.455.100. We will review this closely, along with existing Kitsap County code and best practices.
12.To what extent do you believe commercial equestrian facilities provide the following benefits?
Not at all
Slightly
Moderately
Significantly
Very significantly
Not Sure
Positive visual/aesthetic impacts
Foster a sense of community
Provide recreational opportunities
Provide therapeutic opportunities
By preserving open space, provide wildlife & bird habitat
Improve physical & mental health of participants
Bring revenue into surrounding communities
Supporting veterans
Engaging youth programs
13.Please describe any specific positive or negative impacts you have experienced or observed regarding commercial equestrian facilities in Kitsap County.
Section 4 – Thresholds and Scale
14.At what point do you believe an equestrian operation becomes “commercial” and may warrant additional standards such as permitting, conditions, or controls? (Select any that apply)
*Note: Per KCC 17.455.030 “assembly event” means a use or activity where a group of persons gather to participate in a commercial or marketed event or activity, including, but not limited to, entertainment, equestrian events, recreational or celebratory events or activities, conventions, retreats, or weddings.
15.Do you think small-scale commercial operations should be treated differently than large-scale facilities?
16.If yes, how should they differ?
Section 5 – Business Considerations
17.How important are the following to the economic viability of commercial equestrian facilities?
Not Important
Somewhat Important
Important
Very Important
Predictable permitting process
Affordable permitting process
Reasonable development standards
Ability to expand or adapt operations
Access to affordable land
Ability to host events
Clear definitions in code
Legal right for the facility to operate into perpetuity
No additional regulations
18.How concerned are you that new regulations could negatively affect equestrian businesses?
19.If you operate or work at a facility, what types of regulations would be most challenging?
Section 6 – Opportunities for Support
20.What types of support would be/are most helpful for commercial equestrian facilities? (Select all that apply)
21.Are there examples of successful equestrian facility standards or programs you are aware of that Kitsap County could model or learn from (including education, incentives, awareness, etc.)?
Section 7 – Regulation Approach
22.Which general approach do you prefer?
23.What principles should guide any future regulations? (Select up to three)(Required.)
Section 8 – Final Thoughts
24.What is the most important thing decision-makers should know about commercial equestrian facilities?
25.Do you believe regulatory action is needed at this time?
26.Would you like to stay informed about this project?