I own 15 acres in Frederick County and am wanting to build a covered shooting bench with a concrete floor that overlooks my animal pasture and would allow me to range targets out to 300 yards.  I'd also like to then build a second 25 yard pistol range which will need a berm behind it to prevent the rounds from crossing into my neighbors property.  The later would be a more permanent involved structure.

Looking into the code of Frederick County it states:


Conditional use permit to shoot on your own land?  The 1000 foot residential offset is ridiculous and greater than my 300 yard course and width of my land alone.  Would one think this only applies to commercial applications?  To me this law is silly, it's like if you walk out onto your land and throw some metal targets into the ground, you're good to go, but then the second you make it more safe by throwing up a berm, you've now created an outdoor shooting range and need 50+ acres to meet 1000 foot set backs, and then pay fees to the man.  

How does this read to you guys?

After talking to a lawyer friend of mine, it appears it only applies for commercial use because it's under special use permits for zoning.  Example he used was the provision on kennels under the same chapter wouldn't apply to doghouses for my two dogs.

If you need help there are plenty of locals willing to set up a working party/ meet and greet.

Yup commercial requirements.

Good luck and let us know if you need help breaking it in. ;)

As long as you are 100yards or more away from a dwelling and 50yards from state maintained highway, you will be fine .

BTW, I've always wanted to do this.

Can you link to the 100y offset requirement?  I wanted to place the pistol range right next to my hippy neighbors house.