Can I put a one or two horse stall in my walk-out basement instead of finishing the basement for dwelling use?

Question

I would put an access door direct to the outdoors (a rolling barn door) and close off access to the house. The basement is currently unfinished on one side and the garage is on the other side.

Answer 1

My great-grandparents lived in a house that was 200 years old, that had a milk cow stall in the basement so they could have milk in bad weather. My grandfather told me that the smell does go through the whole house (you get used to it, but visitors will smell it immediately), plus you still have to deal with flies and rodents drawn to the feed. There may be zoning laws against it too, for health reasons.

It also could damage the house's marketability in the future when you want to move someday.

Answer 2

Your basement ceilings high enough for horses? They stand much taller than we do.

Smell is an issue. It will permeate your house.

The bugs and rodents will try to get into the house because of the warmth they feel coming from it.

Sound coming into the house from the basement.

Drainage issues with horse waste and after cleaning them.

Do you plan on living in this house the rest of your life? Will you ever need to sell it?

I think it would be better to build a barn.

Answer 3

my wifes parents bought a house....not more than 15 years old, in a subdivision....and they has a horse in the basement.

Answer 4

You can do anything you set your mind to.However I am not sure I would want two horses in my basement.

Answer 5

better check your zoning laws to see if its allowed (probably isn't) and then get the proper building permits. If you have a mortgage, check the fine print, it could be grounds for foreclosure.