Surry County, NC Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)

Surry County's Table of Permitted Uses lists NAICS 81291, "Pet care (except veterinary) services without outdoor kennels," as a use permitted by right (P) in the Rural Agricultural, Residential and most business zoning districts, with a cross-reference to the special-requirements standard at Surry County Code § 154.008(C)(52). That section requires that no outdoor containment of animals connected with the pet-care use be located less than 250 feet from any residentially zoned property and 50 feet from any other adjacent property line. A groomer that also boards animals outdoors shifts into the separate "pet care with kennels" classification at § 154.008(C)(53), which carries the same 250/50-foot setbacks plus a mandatory six-foot opaque fence around kennel areas, noise buffering, routine waste cleanup, and a cap of one on-premises sign no larger than nine square feet unless the Zoning Administrator approves a larger one.

Before opening, the operator obtains a zoning permit from the Zoning Administrator under § 154.005-01/-02; a development approval expires one year after issuance if the authorized work has not substantially commenced. Uses with no outdoor animal area (an indoor-only grooming shop) still need the zoning permit but are not subject to the 250/50-foot standard, since it applies specifically to outdoor containment. Any deviation from an approved permit requires written approval before the change is made, per § 154.005-02(C).