Rustic Ranches farms could house grooms in up to four RVs, one per four stalls, under a rule Wellington's zoning board takes up Oct. 21. One could stay all year.

Horse farms in Rustic Ranches could keep up to four recreational vehicles as housing for grooms and trainers under a rule change Wellington’s Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board reviews Wednesday.

The board meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Village Hall, 12300 Forest Hill Blvd. The item, Ordinance No. 2026-18, is a public hearing, so residents can speak. The board makes a recommendation. The Village Council has the final say over two readings, on dates the village has not yet set.

What would change

Rustic Ranches is the small ranch community in sub-area E of the village’s equestrian overlay. It covers about 640 acres on the village’s map layer. Under the rules adopted in 2025, an owner can use one or two RVs as a temporary home from November to April, depending on lot size. That is according to the staff report.

Staff wrote that property owners asked for more, on the same basis as grooms’ quarters. The draft ordinance says:

  • one RV for every four stalls in a permanent barn or stable, up to four RVs a property
  • grooms’ quarters already built count against the same total, one for one
  • at most two people in each RV: grooms, trainers or similar equestrian staff and their families
  • no renting the RVs to anyone else
  • one RV may stay occupied all year; the rest only from November to April
  • an Equestrian Permit every year, renewable five times before the council must approve it
  • permitted water and sewer connections that meet Palm Beach County Health Department rules
  • principal-building setbacks, 10 feet between RVs, and a hedge, opaque fence or building screening them from roads and neighbors
  • the owner agrees to a village inspection to confirm the seasonal RVs are empty from May to October

The committee wants the renewal limit gone

The Equestrian Preserve Committee voted 7-0 on Oct. 7 to recommend the change. It asked for one edit: remove the five-renewal limit and the council approval that follows it. The staff report notes the committee’s request. The draft before the board still carries the limit.

Why it is on hold now

The council approved a zoning in progress for Rustic Ranches RVs in August. It lasts 180 days or until the council adopts or rejects the rule, whichever comes first. Until then the village will not issue RV permits in Rustic Ranches that would break the proposed rule if it passes.

Staff wrote that the change does not conflict with Senate Bill 180, a recent state law that limits new local building restrictions, because it is less restrictive than the rule in place today.

Rustic Ranches was annexed into Wellington in 2004. Its overlay district was adopted in 2006. At first it allowed an RV as a temporary home for only two weeks a year.

The other item: a state housing law

The board also takes up Ordinance No. 2026-20, a change to the village’s comprehensive plan required by House Bill 399, passed by the Legislature this year.

The staff report says the law makes local governments judge whether new homes are “compatible” with their neighbors using written, objective factors. A denial must name the area of incompatibility and the mitigation considered. Staff wrote that general references such as “community character” or “neighborhood feel” are no longer enough to deny an application.

Most Wellington homes are in planned developments or agricultural zoning, which the law leaves out. Staff wrote that the new standards would apply only to the newly annexed land along Southern Boulevard and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. The council is scheduled to hear the plan change on Nov. 10 and Dec. 8.

What it means for you

  • Rustic Ranches owners: the draft sets how many RVs your barn supports. Count your permanent stalls and any grooms’ quarters you already have.
  • Neighbors: RVs would need screening and setbacks, and all but one must be empty from May to October.
  • To speak: attend Wednesday’s hearing, or watch the meeting page for the council dates.
  • More on how zoning works in the village is in our building permits and zoning guide and our equestrian preserve guide.