Alpharetta, GA Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)

Section 2.2.14 of the Unified Development Code lists 'Pet Grooming' among the Business Uses a property in the C-1 neighborhood commercial district 'may be used for... by right, unless superseded by applicable conditions of approval for rezoning, variance, or conditional use,' placing it alongside barber shops, dance studios and dry cleaners as a routine retail-service use rather than something requiring City Council review. Section 2.2.15 extends the identical by-right listing to the C-2 general commercial district. A separate use, 'Pet Day Care,' is listed immediately next to Pet Grooming in both district tables and carries the same by-right status, so a combined grooming-and-daycare storefront does not need extra zoning approval beyond what either use alone would require.

Outside C-1 and C-2, a pet grooming business can also locate in a CUP community unit plan district as one of the many uses the CUP's Table 2.2 conditional-use list allows once it is written into the CUP's conditions of approval or concept plan. Because the use is permitted by right in the commercial districts, the grooming business still must obtain a standard building permit, pass Community Development's site plan and life-safety review, and register for the city's occupation tax certificate before opening, the same baseline steps required of any new retail tenant, but it does not face the public hearing, notice and City Council vote that a conditional use like a kennel or animal hospital requires.