Aliso Viejo, CA Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Table
- Table 15.18.020, permitted uses in nonresidential districts
- AUP districts
- CT, CC, CN, BP-1 and BP-2
- Not permitted
- PO Professional Office
- AUP means
- Administrative use permit must be approved
- Animal title exemption
- State-licensed clinic activities, AVMC 6.04.570
Summary
In the City of Aliso Viejo, California, Table 15.18.020 lists animal hospitals and veterinary clinics as AUP in the CT, CC, CN, BP-1 and BP-2 districts and NP in PO. AUP means an administrative use permit is required, and AVMC 6.04.570 separately exempts clinics from the animal title for state-licensed activities.
6.04.570 Veterinary hospitals and clinics. ... Veterinary hospitals and veterinary clinics shall be exempt from the provisions of this title with regard to those activities conducted pursuant to any license or permit issued by the state. ... 4. “AUP” – The use is permitted as a principal or accessory use if an administrative use permit is approved. ... 6. “NP” – The use is not permitted in the district. ... TABLE 15.18.020: ... PERMITTED USES IN NONRESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS Land Use CT Town Center Commercial CC Community Commercial CN Neighborhood Commercial PO Professional Office BP-1 Business Park – 1 BP-2 Business Park – 2 ... Animal hospitals/veterinary clinics4 AUP AUP AUP NP AUP AUP 4Animal control, welfare and licensing requirements shall be pursuant to AVMC Title 6.
Full Breakdown
Veterinary clinics sit in the commercial districts' use table, not in the animal title. Table 15.18.020 in AVMC 15.18.020 lists Animal hospitals/veterinary clinics for six nonresidential districts in the City of Aliso Viejo: CT Town Center Commercial, CC Community Commercial, CN Neighborhood Commercial, PO Professional Office, BP-1 Business Park 1 and BP-2 Business Park 2. The row reads AUP, AUP, AUP, NP, AUP, AUP in that column order, so a clinic needs an administrative use permit in CT, CC, CN, BP-1 and BP-2 and is not permitted in PO. The table's footnote 4 adds that animal control, welfare and licensing requirements follow AVMC Title 6.
The legend defines both codes. AUP means the use is permitted as a principal or accessory use if an administrative use permit is approved, and NP means the use is not permitted in the district. A use not listed in the table is prohibited unless specifically determined to be permitted under AVMC 15.06.050, and AVMC 15.18.020 adds that establishing a land use in most cases also requires a site development permit or other permits under AVMC 15.74.020. The administrative use permit itself comes from AVMC 15.74.040, which requires findings that the use is consistent with the general plan and any applicable specific plan and conforms to the zoning code's permitted use provisions and development standards.
Neighboring animal uses on the same table show the pattern. Animal boarding and kennels also reads AUP, AUP, AUP, NP, AUP, AUP, while Animal grooming reads AUP, AUP, AUP, NP, P, P, so a groomer is permitted outright in the two business park districts and a clinic is not.
Operating rules are lighter. AVMC 6.04.570 exempts veterinary hospitals and veterinary clinics from the animal title for activities conducted under a license or permit issued by the state, and the kennel definition in AVMC 6.02.010 excludes veterinary clinics and pet hospitals. Residential districts have their own table, Table 15.10.020, which this row does not cover.
Violations & Fines
A clinic operating without the required administrative use permit violates the zoning code. Under AVMC 1.06.010(B), a misdemeanor conviction for a code violation carries a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months, or both, unless otherwise specified, and an infraction carries up to $100, $200 and $500 for a first, second and further violation within one year. Administrative fines under AVMC 1.06.120 follow the same three tiers unless a council resolution sets amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a veterinary clinic open in Aliso Viejo's commercial districts?
What does AUP mean in the zoning table?
Does the animal control title apply to veterinary clinics?
What if a use is not listed in the table?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Aliso Viejo
California rules heatmap·Compare Aliso Viejo to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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