Connecticut couple built trails on 50 acres; zoning dispute shuts hikers out
A Connecticut couple who bought 50 acres in 2022 built forest trails as part of a management plan. They later began charging hikers and dog owners $10 an hour to use the trails, but Roxbury officials said the activity could violate local zoning rules. The couple has now challenged the town’s position and is seeking to reopen the property to visitors.
A Connecticut couple purchased 50 acres of land in 2022, intending to renovate an old cottage and manage the surrounding woodland. They developed a forest management plan, which included removing rubbish, invasive species, and deteriorating hunting structures. The couple also constructed approximately 1.3 miles of trails to facilitate easier access for managing the land.
In 2024, they began listing the property on Sniffspot, an online platform for dog walkers to rent private properties by the hour, charging $10 per hour. During this time, the property saw about two to three bookings per week.
However, the arrangement faced a zoning dispute when the Roxbury Land Use Department issued a letter in April 2025, claiming the couple had violated zoning laws by operating a "dog park." The letter outlined requirements for operating a "home enterprise," and advised the couple to cease renting out the property until the necessary steps were taken.
The Copleys attempted to resolve the issue by applying for permission to rent out the trails and discussing the matter with the town officials. Despite these efforts, they were informed that they would need to consolidate the two parcels making up their property into one lot, which would require expensive surveys and may affect their plans to build a second house on the land.
The couple refused to consolidate the parcels and explored changing the town's zoning rules, but were unable to find a solution to reopen the trails.
The Institute for Justice, representing the Copleys, argued that the couple stopped taking reservations after receiving the town's notice and spent over a year attempting to resolve the issue. The organization's attorneys sent a letter to Roxbury officials in August, demanding that the couple be allowed to rent parts of the property for recreation or receive an explanation of why the activity violates local zoning rules.
The Institute for Justice maintains that the town's interpretation of zoning laws is incorrect, stating that there is no reason to prohibit people from walking on private property. They contend that the Copleys' activity aligns with agricultural and forestry uses allowed under the town's zoning rules, as well as certain accessory uses. Additionally, the organization points to similar uses on land managed by a local land trust.
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