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Annapolis, MD Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permitted by right
BCE Business Corridor Enhancement district only
Special exception required
B3 and B3-CD commercial districts
Not permitted
B1, B2, BR, C2, C2A, PM2, I1
Parking requirement
Two spaces per employee
Governing chapter
Title 21 Zoning Code, Table of Uses

Summary

Annapolis zoning permits animal hospitals and veterinarian offices outright only in the BCE Business Corridor Enhancement district, requires a special exception in the B3 and B3-CD commercial districts, and bars the use entirely from B1, B2, BR, C2, C2A, PM2 and I1.

P = Permitted Use; S = Special Exception Use; -Std = Use Subject to Standards (Chapter 21.64); A = Accessory Use; Blank = Not Permitted [...] Uses|District B1|District B2|District B3|District B3-CD|District BCE|District BR|District C2|District C2A|District PM2|District I1 [...] Animal hospitals, including veterinarian offices|||S|S|P|||||

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2025 Update 2).

Full Breakdown

Annapolis City Code section 21.48.020, the Table of Uses for Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts, lists 'Animal hospitals, including veterinarian offices' as a permitted use (P) only in the BCE Business Corridor Enhancement district. It is a special exception use (S) requiring Board of Appeals review under Chapter 21.26 in the B3 General Commercial and B3-CD General Commercial Corridor Design districts. The table leaves the entry blank, meaning not permitted, in B1, B2, BR, C2, C2A, PM2 and I1. Off-street parking is set separately at two spaces per employee under section 21.66.130, and 'animal hospital' is defined at section 21.72.010 to include a veterinarian office.

Violations & Fines

Operating an animal hospital without the required special exception, or in a district where the use isn't listed, is a zoning infraction under section 21.36.030 fined 500 dollars a day, 1,000 for repeat violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a veterinary clinic in downtown Annapolis?
Only the BCE Business Corridor Enhancement district permits a veterinary office by right. In B3 or B3-CD you need special exception approval from the Board of Appeals under Chapter 21.26; other commercial districts don't allow the use.
What if my property is zoned B1 or B2?
Animal hospitals aren't listed as a permitted, special exception, or accessory use in B1 or B2, so section 21.16.040(C) treats the use as prohibited there, ruling out a veterinary clinic on that site.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Annapolis

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsPet Groomer RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Propane StorageSome Restrictions

All Annapolis rules

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