Gentleman's Farms and Hobby Farms Near Palm Beach County: Zoning, Agricultural Exemptions and Resale

Buyers who look for hobby farms Florida listings near Palm Beach County usually want the same thing: a few acres, a barn, maybe horses or chickens, and a house they can still drive to work from. That kind of property goes by many names. Some call it a gentleman's farm, others a ranchette or a hobby farm. In this county, most of these homes sit in the western communities around Loxahatchee, Loxahatchee Groves, The Acreage and parts of Wellington. This guide explains what the term means here, how zoning and the agricultural tax class work, and what helps these homes resell later.

Key takeaways

• A hobby farm is a home on acreage used for animals or crops mostly for enjoyment. Florida law gives the agricultural tax class only to land in "good faith commercial agricultural use," so a true hobby use usually does not qualify.
• In Palm Beach County you apply for the agricultural class between Jan. 1 and March 1. A new owner has to reapply, and losing the class can bring a large tax increase.
• County zoning allows domesticated livestock next to a single-family home in the Rural and Exurban Tiers, outside a PUD, but sales are not allowed under that rule.
• Loxahatchee Groves is its own town, The Acreage is unincorporated, and Wellington is a separate village. Each one can mean a different set of rules, so verify the jurisdiction of every parcel.
• As of Oct. 1, 2026, Pure Equity's MLS data shows a median list price of $795,000 in Loxahatchee and $749,900 in The Acreage.

What hobby farms in Florida mean around Palm Beach County

A gentleman's farm is an old phrase for a rural home where farming is a pastime, not the main source of income. Today most people just say hobby farm. The owner may keep two horses, a few goats, a chicken coop and a vegetable patch. However, the household income usually comes from a job in town.

In western Palm Beach County, that lifestyle is easy to find. Many lots in The Acreage and Loxahatchee run one acre or more, and plenty of owners have added paddocks, pole barns and run-in sheds. Still, the word "farm" in a listing does not tell you what the county will let you do. For that, you need to look at zoning, the tax roll and, in some areas, the town code.

Also keep in mind that a hobby farm is a lifestyle choice first. The owners we meet want space, privacy and animals. They do not expect the land to pay for itself, and that matters for taxes, as the next section shows.

The agricultural tax class and hobby farms Florida owners use

Florida's "greenbelt" law is section 193.461 of the Florida Statutes. It lets the property appraiser value farmland based on its farm use instead of its market value. On rural land, the savings can be large. But the statute says only land used "primarily for bona fide agricultural purposes" qualifies, and it defines that as good faith commercial use.

So the test is commercial intent. The appraiser looks at how long the land has been farmed, whether the use is continuous, the price paid, the size of the land for that use, and how well the land is cared for. In addition, the law says a minimum acreage may not be required. That means a small parcel can qualify, but only if it runs as a real farm business.

What Palm Beach County asks for

The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's agricultural page spells out the local process. You file between Jan. 1 and March 1, and you must be the owner of record on Jan. 1. The office wants proof that a commercial farm business operates on the land, with a reasonable expectation of profit. As a result, owners usually attach sales invoices, a business plan, an agricultural lease or boarding agreements.

For horse properties, the page notes an industry standard of two full-sized animals per acre. Meanwhile, keeping your own horses for riding is a hobby use, not a business. That is why many hobby farms Florida buyers tour carry a normal residential assessment, even with a barn on site.

What happens when an ag-classified farm sells

Here is the part buyers miss. The classification does not travel with the deed. According to the Property Appraiser, a new owner has to reapply for the following year. If the land loses the class, the full market value of that acreage is added back to the assessed value. The office warns this will often mean a significant tax increase.

So when a listing shows a low tax bill, ask why. Check the Property Appraiser's record for the agricultural class, then budget for the tax you would pay without it. Our guide to how Florida's greenbelt classification works covers the rules in more depth.

Livestock zoning for hobby farms in Florida's Palm Beach County

Zoning is a separate question from taxes. The county's zoning FAQ answers it plainly. It says domesticated livestock is allowed accessory to a single-family home if the land sits in the Rural or Exurban Tier and not inside a Planned Unit Development. However, sales are prohibited under that rule. In other words, you can keep animals, but you cannot run them as a business on that basis.

The same FAQ says the county decides whether a use is bona fide agricultural under the Florida Right to Farm Act, section 823.14. That matters if you plan to sell eggs, board horses or grow produce for market. Before you buy with a business plan in mind, call the county zoning office with the parcel control number.

Barns, fences and building permits

Barns are another common question. The county's agricultural improvements page explains that a nonresidential farm building, farm fence or farm sign may be exempt from building permits under section 604.50. That exemption applies only to land the Property Appraiser has classified as agricultural and that is used for bona fide farming. Even then, the structure must meet floodplain rules, and the county charges a $200 fee to review an exemption request.

For a hobby owner without the ag class, a new barn usually goes through normal permitting. So when you tour, ask whether the barn, stalls and any guest quarters were permitted. An unpermitted building can slow a sale, affect insurance and cost money to fix.

Loxahatchee, Loxahatchee Groves and The Acreage: know the boundary

The names in this part of the county overlap, and buyers mix them up all the time. Here is a simple way to sort them out.

• Loxahatchee Groves is an incorporated town. It was incorporated on Nov. 1, 2006, according to the town's annual financial report, and the Historical Society of Palm Beach County calls it the county's 38th municipality. Residents incorporated to protect the area's rural way of life. It had 3,355 residents in the 2020 Census. Royal Palm Beach sits on its east side, Wellington to the south and The Acreage to the west and north.
• The Acreage is an unincorporated area. Its roads and drainage are maintained by the Indian Trail Improvement District. Its mailing addresses vary, so the city name on an address does not tell you who governs the parcel.
• Loxahatchee is often used as a mailing name for the wider rural area, which is why a "Loxahatchee" address may sit in The Acreage or nearby unincorporated land.
• Wellington is a separate village with its own land development rules.

Because of this, a mailing address does not tell you which rules apply. For example, a home with a Loxahatchee address could fall under county zoning, while a home a mile away falls under the town of Loxahatchee Groves. Always check the jurisdiction on the Property Appraiser's parcel record. Then read the zoning code for that jurisdiction before you sign.

Prices for hobby farms and acreage homes in Florida's western communities

According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of Oct. 1, 2026, Loxahatchee had 216 active listings with a median list price of $795,000. Those listings had been on the market an average of 144 days. The Acreage had 161 active listings, a median list price of $749,900 and an average of 86 days on market. Keep in mind that the two areas overlap, so some homes appear in both counts.

For comparison, Wellington had 554 active listings and a median list price of $915,000. These are asking prices for active homes, not sale prices, and they mix all property types. Across the county, Miami Realtors reported an August 2026 single-family median sale price of $650,000, with homes going under contract in a median of 40 days.

So acreage homes in the west tend to list above the county median and can take longer to sell. That makes sense, since the buyer pool for a barn and paddocks is smaller than for a suburban house.

What drives resale value on hobby farms in Florida

When you buy a hobby farm, think about the next buyer from day one. In our experience, a few features shape resale value more than others.

• Usable, dry land. Fenced pasture that drains well is worth more than raw scrub. Ask about the flood zone and how the lot handles a heavy summer rain.
• Permitted structures. A permitted barn with stalls, a tack room and power adds value. An unpermitted one can become a problem at inspection.
• Road access. Paved roads and easy access to Southern Boulevard or Okeechobee Boulevard help. Some streets in the western areas are unpaved, and many buyers notice.
• Water and septic. Most rural homes here use wells and septic systems. Recent service records give buyers confidence.
• A house that works without the farm. Many future buyers will not keep animals. A sound home with good space appeals to both groups.

On the other hand, very custom setups can narrow your buyer pool. A large riding arena or a commercial kennel may matter a lot to one buyer and nothing to the next. So invest in features that most rural buyers value, such as fencing, shade and a solid barn.

A buyer checklist for hobby farms in Florida

Before you make an offer, work through these steps with your agent.

1. Confirm the jurisdiction (county, Loxahatchee Groves or Wellington) on the parcel record.
2. Read the zoning for that jurisdiction and confirm the animals you plan to keep are allowed.
3. Check whether the land carries the agricultural class, and estimate taxes without it.
4. Ask for permits on the barn, fences and any accessory dwelling.
5. Order a survey to confirm acreage, fence lines and easements.
6. Have the well, septic and roof inspected.
7. Get insurance quotes early, since barns and animals can change your coverage.

If you plan to build instead, the same checks apply to a vacant lot, plus soil, fill and flood elevation questions for the builder.

Frequently asked questions

Can a hobby farm get the agricultural exemption in Florida?

Usually not. The law gives the agricultural class only to land in good faith commercial agricultural use. If you keep animals for fun, the land is a hobby use. If you run a real business with sales and records, you can apply between Jan. 1 and March 1.

Can I keep horses at a home in The Acreage?

Many owners do. County zoning allows domesticated livestock next to a single-family home in the Rural and Exurban Tiers, outside a PUD. Still, check the parcel's tier, any deed restrictions and the rules for your exact lot before you buy.

Is Loxahatchee Groves the same as Loxahatchee?

No. Loxahatchee Groves is an incorporated town formed in 2006. Loxahatchee is a mailing name used across a wider rural area, much of it unincorporated. The rules can differ, so check the parcel record.

Does the ag tax class transfer when I buy a farm?

No. The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser says a new owner must reapply for the following year. If you do not qualify, the land is assessed at market value, which can raise the tax bill.

Do I need a permit to build a barn?

It depends. A nonresidential farm building on land classified as agricultural may be exempt under section 604.50. Without the ag class, plan on normal permits. Floodplain rules apply either way.

Sources

• Florida Statutes, s. 193.461 agricultural lands
• Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, agricultural classification
• Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning and Building, zoning FAQ
• Palm Beach County, agricultural improvements and permit exemptions
• Town of Loxahatchee Groves, annual financial report (incorporation date)
• Historical Society of Palm Beach County, The Acreage
• Miami Realtors, Palm Beach County August 2026 market report
• Historical Society of Palm Beach County, Loxahatchee Groves
• University of Florida BEBR, Florida Population: Census Summary 2020

Own acreage in the western communities? If you are thinking of selling, start with a free home valuation from Pure Equity that accounts for your land, barn and permits. Shopping for your own hobby farm instead? Schedule a buyer strategy call and we will help you check zoning, taxes and boundaries before you make an offer.