Carrollton, TX Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

Carrollton's animal code carves veterinary hospitals out of its residential pet-count limits, but only conditionally. Section 91.007(A)(9) states that the two-to-five pet caps in § 91.007(A) do 'not apply to governmental or educational facilities, commercial kennels, veterinary hospitals, or animal establishments operated by a veterinarian, located on property zoned for such purpose,' and adds that such establishments 'must meet sanitation requirements and keep animals securely contained.' A veterinary practice sitting on land that hasn't been approved for that commercial use falls back under the ordinary household limits, capped at two or three dogs and cats depending on fencing.

The zoning half of that test runs through the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, codified as Chapter 153. Its Article 5 land-use table lists 'Pet Care, Veterinary Services & Kennels (In Enclosed Building Only)' as use code 812910, adopted by Ordinance No. 2909 on July 6, 2004, and marks it with an 'S' in the city's all-single-family-detached-district column, meaning the use requires a Special Use Permit rather than being allowed by right in those districts; the ordinance's legend defines 'S' as 'Special Use Permit Required' and 'SDP' as 'Special Development Plan,' both of which the veterinary use also triggers there. A separate line item, use code 81291, covers veterinary or kennel operations 'With Outside Runs or Pens' and carries the same Special Use Permit marking. Practically, a veterinarian opening a clinic with outdoor kennel runs in or near a single-family district needs city approval of both a Special Use Permit and a site development plan before the Chapter 91 sanitation exemption becomes available.