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<h2>Open Space Uses: Dude/Guest Ranch</h2> <h3>Definition</h3> <p>A dude or guest ranch is a ranch that offers multi-night accommodations for guests, recreational activities or immediate access to such activities, on-site dining facilities, and ranch-related facilities like barns, outbuildings, corrals, pastures, and livestock. It does not include a restaurant or bar for the general public or active solicitation of one-night accommodations.</p> <h3>Standards</h3> <h4>Minimum Site Size</h4> <p>A dude or guest ranch site should have a minimum of 70 acres of privately owned Gross Site Area.</p> <h4>Maximum Number of Guests</h4> <p>The maximum number of guests allowed at a dude or guest ranch is 1 guest per 5 acres accessible to the ranch, with a maximum limit of 75 guests. Accessible acreage should meet the following standards:</p> <ul> <li>It should be owned, leased, or subject to a recreational permit issued by a government agency.</li> <li>The conservation area of another development may be considered if its conservation easement permits recreational activities.</li> <li>The acreage should be a part of, or within one mile of, the ranch and guests should have legal, non-vehicular access to the acreage.</li> <li>The use permit for the dude or guest ranch should run concurrently with any lease or recreational permit. If the lease or recreational permit is renewed or extended, the use permit should be reviewed for any effects resulting from changes to the lease or permit.</li> </ul> <p>For example, a ranch with access to 80 acres would permit no more than 16 guests (80/5=16). A ranch with access to 400 acres would permit no more than 75 guests (400/5=80; maximum occupancy of 75 applies).</p> <h4>Recreational Activities</h4> <p>Dude or guest ranches should provide outdoor recreational activities for their guests. These activities may include, but are not limited to:</p> <ul> <li>Horseback riding or horsepacking trips</li> <li>Guided hunting trips</li> <li>Fishing or rafting trips</li> <li>Cook-outs</li> <li>Hay-rides</li> <li>Cross-country skiing</li> <li>Snowmobiling</li> </ul> <p>Outdoor activities should be approved as part of the Use Permit and may be restricted both in location and the time of year during which they may be conducted.</p> <h4>Structures and Accommodations</h4> <ul> <li><strong>Lodging</strong>: Permanent buildings for lodging all guests should be provided either in separate cabins or a main lodge. Lodging in temporary facilities, such as tents, is permitted as part of overnight recreational activities, but should not be the primary type of accommodation.</li> <li><strong>Dining Facilities</strong>: A dining facility capable of accommodating the maximum number of guests permitted at the ranch may be provided. If a common dining facility is not provided, cooking facilities should be provided to guests as part of the lodging accommodations.</li> <li><strong>Employee Housing</strong>: Accessory residential units to provide employee housing may be permitted.</li> <li><strong>Agricultural and Accessory Buildings</strong>: Other buildings associated with a dude or guest ranch should be actively used for the care and management of livestock kept on the property or for maintenance and operation associated with the recreational activities provided to guests.</li> <li><strong>Events</strong>: Dude or guest ranches may host receptions or special events for guests of the ranch as an ancillary use without separate permit, provided the size of the event does not exceed the permitted number of guests of the ranch.</li> </ul>
## Open Space Uses: Dude/Guest Ranch ### Definition A dude or guest ranch is a ranch that offers multi-night accommodations for guests, recreational activities or immediate access to such activities, on-site dining facilities, and ranch-related facilities like barns, outbuildings, corrals, pastures, and livestock. It does not include a restaurant or bar for the general public or active solicitation of one-night accommodations. ### Standards #### Minimum Site Size A dude or guest ranch site should have a minimum of 70 acres of privately owned Gross Site Area. #### Maximum Number of Guests The maximum number of guests allowed at a dude or guest ranch is 1 guest per 5 acres accessible to the ranch, with a maximum limit of 75 guests. Accessible acreage should meet the following standards: - It should be owned, leased, or subject to a recreational permit issued by a government agency. - The conservation area of another development may be considered if its conservation easement permits recreational activities. - The acreage should be a part of, or within one mile of, the ranch and guests should have legal, non-vehicular access to the acreage. - The use permit for the dude or guest ranch should run concurrently with any lease or recreational permit. If the lease or recreational permit is renewed or extended, the use permit should be reviewed for any effects resulting from changes to the lease or permit. For example, a ranch with access to 80 acres would permit no more than 16 guests (80/5=16). A ranch with access to 400 acres would permit no more than 75 guests (400/5=80; maximum occupancy of 75 applies). #### Recreational Activities Dude or guest ranches should provide outdoor recreational activities for their guests. These activities may include, but are not limited to: - Horseback riding or horsepacking trips - Guided hunting trips - Fishing or rafting trips - Cook-outs - Hay-rides - Cross-country skiing - Snowmobiling Outdoor activities should be approved as part of the Use Permit and may be restricted both in location and the time of year during which they may be conducted. #### Structures and Accommodations - **Lodging**: Permanent buildings for lodging all guests should be provided either in separate cabins or a main lodge. Lodging in temporary facilities, such as tents, is permitted as part of overnight recreational activities, but should not be the primary type of accommodation. - **Dining Facilities**: A dining facility capable of accommodating the maximum number of guests permitted at the ranch may be provided. If a common dining facility is not provided, cooking facilities should be provided to guests as part of the lodging accommodations. - **Employee Housing**: Accessory residential units to provide employee housing may be permitted. - **Agricultural and Accessory Buildings**: Other buildings associated with a dude or guest ranch should be actively used for the care and management of livestock kept on the property or for maintenance and operation associated with the recreational activities provided to guests. - **Events**: Dude or guest ranches may host receptions or special events for guests of the ranch as an ancillary use without separate permit, provided the size of the event does not exceed the permitted number of guests of the ranch.