Carrollton, TX Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)

Carrollton's Code of Ordinances folds pet grooming into its definition of a 'kennel' at § 91.003: any premises where two or more animals four months of age or older are kept, and where the business of buying, selling, breeding, grooming, training, or boarding dogs, cats, or other animals is conducted, qualifies as a kennel, whether or not the animals stay overnight. The definition specifically carves out veterinary hospitals, which are covered separately.

Because a grooming business keeps multiple animals on-site, it would otherwise run into Chapter 91's residential pet-count caps of two cats or two dogs on unfenced property and three of each on fenced property under § 91.007(A)(1)-(2). Section 91.007(A)(9) lifts that cap for 'commercial kennels' and other animal establishments, but only if the property is 'located on property zoned for such purpose,' and even then the operator 'must meet sanitation requirements and keep animals securely contained.' A grooming operation running on residentially zoned property without that zoning approval remains subject to the ordinary two- or three-pet household limit and can be cited for exceeding it.

Zoning compliance runs through the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, codified as Chapter 153, which lists 'Pet Care, Veterinary Services & Kennels' as a distinct commercial land use requiring a Special Use Permit and site development plan review before a grooming or boarding business can open in many zoning districts, on top of the sanitation and containment duties Chapter 91 imposes directly.