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:
165-204.15 Shooting ranges, outdoor.
Outdoor shooting ranges shall be allowed only with a conditional use permit. Where outdoor shooting ranges are allowed, zoning district separation buffers and screens, Category C as described by this chapter, shall be provided in relation to surrounding properties containing residential uses. In no case shall a shooting range be located within 1,000 feet of any residence located on surrounding parcels of land. Application for a conditional use permit shall include plans for appropriate site layout and design to protect the safety of the public. Such plans shall include berms and other protective features. All outdoor shooting ranges shall be supervised at all times by qualified personnel.
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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?