Stratford, CT Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)

The definition in Section 2.3 of the Stratford Zoning Regulations reads: a commercial kennel is a place maintained for boarding or grooming dogs or cats, and it includes any veterinary hospital that boards or grooms dogs or cats for nonmedical purposes. Grooming alone is enough to meet the definition. The Zoning Commission adopted the current Regulations, with an effective date of January 1, 2025.

Section 4.4.4(B) applies the agricultural-activity standards to commercial kennels, and Section 4.4.4(C)(1) sets the residence-district rule: no building in a residence district shall be used as a commercial kennel unless specifically approved as a special permit under Section 7.3.4, subject to any conditions and regulations the Zoning Commission imposes.

Section 7.3.4 sets the process. The application goes to the Zoning Commission, which holds a public hearing after public notice and can approve the use by the affirmative vote of four or more members present, with restrictions it considers reasonable and the minimum necessary. The criteria include conformance to all requirements of the district, a location, size and intensity compatible with the property and neighborhood, conformance with the Town Plan of Conservation and Development, no adverse effect on street safety or traffic, no emission of noise, light, smoke, odor, gas, dust or vibration that adversely affects land, water or air quality, no adverse effect on the tax valuation of neighboring properties, and no fire or police hazards.

The Regulations also define a non-commercial kennel as one occupied by less than three dogs or cats, with any run located no closer than 100 feet to any property line or street line. Separately, § 152-28 of the Town Code bars dog grooming inside the Town's dog exercise areas. Zoning enforcement belongs to the Planning and Zoning Administrator under Section 7.4.