Dreaming of a property with horses, chickens, or goats in the Arizona desert? Before you buy land, you need to understand the Mohave County animal point system zoning ordinance. This system controls exactly how many animals you can keep on your parcel. Furthermore, it applies to nearly every rural residential property in the county. At Mohave Homes, we help buyers navigate these rules every day. Therefore, we want to give you a clear, practical guide before you commit to a purchase.
Mohave County Animal Point System Zoning Ordinance: How It Works
The Mohave County animal point system zoning ordinance uses a simple points-per-acre formula. Every residential parcel gets 100 animal points per acre. Each animal you keep uses a set number of those points. As a result, the size of your land determines exactly how many animals you can have.
Here is how the Mohave County Zoning Ordinance breaks down the point values:
- Large animals (25 points each): Horses, cows, mules, donkeys, and llamas fall in this group. Therefore, a 1-acre parcel allows a maximum of 4 large animals.
- Medium animals (12 points each): Miniature horses, miniature donkeys, sheep, and goats use 12 points. Consequently, you can keep up to 8 of these on a single acre.
- Small animals (3 points each): Chickens, ducks, rabbits, and similar fowl cost only 3 points. As a result, one acre can support up to 33 small animals.
Let us look at a real example. Say you have a 2-acre parcel. That gives you 200 total points. You want 2 horses (50 points), 4 goats (48 points), and 10 chickens (30 points). That totals 128 points. In other words, you are well within your limit and still have 72 points left over.
Residential Zoning and What It Means for Your Property
Not all rural land zones are equal. In Mohave County, common residential zones include R-1, RR, and A-R. However, each zone has its own rules about lot size minimums and permitted uses. Therefore, you should always verify the specific zone of any parcel before purchasing.
You can review the full list of Mohave County zones on the county website. Additionally, the Mohave County zoning code enforcement office can answer specific questions about your target parcel. We always recommend calling them before you finalize any land deal.
Animal control in the county is handled by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Animal Control division. They enforce compliance with all livestock and domestic animal regulations. Consequently, violating the point system can result in fines and required removal of animals.
Agricultural Exemptions: How to Bypass Zoning Restrictions
If you plan to run a working farm or ranch, there is good news. Mohave County offers an agricultural exemption that can remove standard zoning restrictions entirely. However, this exemption has strict requirements.
According to the Mohave County Agricultural Exemption Policy, you need at least five contiguous commercial acres. Note that one commercial acre equals 35,000 square feet. Therefore, five commercial acres works out to 175,000 square feet of contiguous land. Once you meet this threshold, standard residential zoning codes and building requirements no longer apply to agricultural use.
This exemption is especially valuable for buyers who want to establish equestrian properties, small ranches, or homesteads. Furthermore, it pairs perfectly with a multi-module manufactured home setup. For example, a Cavco West triple-wide on a qualifying parcel in Golden Valley or Dolan Springs gives you the space, the freedom, and the infrastructure to run a true working property.
Planning Your Land and Home Together
At Mohave Homes, we know that the land and the home are one decision. Many of our buyers in Chloride, Golden Valley, and Mohave Valley are specifically looking for rural parcels with animal rights. Therefore, we always encourage buyers to research zoning before they fall in love with a lot.
Here are three steps to take before you buy:
- Look up the parcel’s zone. Use the county assessor’s GIS map or call Development Services directly. Additionally, verify the acreage so you can calculate your animal point allowance.
- Calculate your points budget. List every animal you plan to keep and add up the points. As a result, you will know exactly how much land you need before you make an offer.
- Ask about ag exemption eligibility. If you plan to buy five or more commercial acres, you may qualify for a full agricultural exemption. Consequently, your options expand significantly.
Understanding the Mohave County animal zoning laws before you buy is one of the smartest moves you can make. Furthermore, pairing the right parcel with a quality Cavco or Champion manufactured home creates a property that works for your lifestyle from day one. Contact Mohave Homes today and let us help you find the right fit.