Arcadia, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)

Arcadia's use tables treat grooming two ways. Table 2-8 in § 9102.03.020 covers the C-O, C-G, C-R and M-1 zones. The row for Pet Stores, inclusive of grooming services reads not allowed in C-O and P (permitted) in C-G, C-R and M-1, with the note No overnight animal keeping. The separate Animal Grooming row reads not allowed in C-O, P in C-G, P in C-R, and not allowed in M-1. A groomer that is not part of a pet store therefore has only two zones in that table, C-G and C-R, and needs no discretionary permit in either.

The downtown table, Table 2-10 in § 9102.05.020, works differently. Pet Stores with grooming services are permitted in the CBD, MU, DMU and CM zones, but animal grooming is limited to 50% of the business and there is no overnight animal keeping. A stand-alone Animal Grooming shop downtown needs a Minor Use Permit (M) in all four zones. The Minor Use Permit runs through § 9107.09: the city mails notice, the Director decides on the date stated in the notice, and a public hearing is held only if an interested person requests one in writing before that date.

The Development Code defines the use in Division 9. Animal Grooming is the commercial provision of bathing and trimming services for dogs, cats, and other household animals permitted by the code, and overnight boarding is not allowed. A pet store is retail sales of animals or services, including grooming, on a commercial basis. The classification excludes dog walking and similar pet care services not carried out at a fixed location.

A groomer that wants to board animals falls into the Animal Boarding/Kennels use instead, which needs a Conditional Use Permit in M-1 and downtown CM and must stay 250 feet from residentially zoned property under § 9104.02.200.