Veterinary Clinics and Animal Hospitals
San Diego Municipal Code § 141.0625
in effect§141.0625 Veterinary Clinics and Animal Hospitals
Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals are permitted as a limited use in the zones indicated with an “L” and may be permitted with a Neighborhood Use Permit decided in accordance with Process Two in the zones indicated with an “N” in the Use Regulations Tables in Chapter 13, Article 1 (Base Zones) subject to the following regulations.
(a) General Rules
(1) Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals are not permitted in agricultural zones in Proposition A Lands, except as an accessory use within a zoological park, or within floodplains located in the Coastal Overlay Zone.
(2) Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals shall be operated and maintained in accordance with the health and sanitation regulations for health regulated businesses in Chapter 4, Article 2, Division 7 (Animals and Poultry).
(3) Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals shall be maintained in a sanitary condition to minimize the impacts of odors on surrounding development.
(b) Limited Use Regulations
(1) Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals shall not be located on a premises that is identified as Prime Industrial Land in a land use plan.
(2) Outdoor exercise areas are not permitted as a limited use, except as an accessory use within a zoological park.
(3) Off-street parking shall be provided in accordance with Table 142-05E.
(4) Deviations from Section 141.0625(b) may be permitted with a Neighborhood Use Permit decided in accordance with Process Two.
(c) Neighborhood Use Permit Regulations
(1) Noise emanating from the facility shall be kept at minimum levels through the following methods:
(A) Limitations on the number of animals permitted in exterior areas at any one time;
(B) Limitations on the hours that animals are permitted in exterior areas;
(C) Locating exterior boarding and exercise areas on those portions of the site where noise impacts on surrounding development will be minimized;
(D) The use of walls or fences to minimize noise impacts to surrounding development; and
(E) Sound-proofing of interior kennel areas.
(2) Exterior boarding, training, and exercise facilities shall be screened from adjacent development by a 6-foot solid fence or wall.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S)
(Amended 10-18-1999 by O-18691 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 3-1-2006 by O-19467 N.S.; effective 8-10-2006; renumbered from 141.0624 to 141.0625 with no change in text.) (Amended 4-8-2008 by O-19734 N.S; effective 5-8-2008.)
(Amended 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective 10-6-2011.)
(Amended 11-16-2012 by O-20216 N.S.; effective 12-16-2012.)
(Amended 6-18-2013 by O-20261 N.S.; effective 7-19-2013.)
(Amended 8-9-2019 by O-21114 N.S.; effective 9-8-2019.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter14/Ch14Art01Division06.pdf#page=65Fetched: 10/28/2026