Catoosa County, GA Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

Catoosa County's Unified Development Code lists 'veterinary services' in Table 2-3 as a permitted use in the C-1 General Business District and in Planned Unit Developments, with UDC Section 4.09.37 supplying the use-specific standard: no part of any building, structure, pen or enclosure may sit closer than 50 feet to any property line. The Code defines veterinary services as establishments with licensed practitioners of veterinary medicine, dentistry or surgery for animals, including operations that provide testing services for licensed veterinary practitioners. Because the use carries its own additional-standards section, an applicant must show compliance with the 50-foot line on the site plan filed with the Planning and Zoning Office before the Zoning Administrator will issue the building or development permit required under UDC Section 9.04.01.

A veterinary practice is also expressly disqualified from operating as a home occupation: UDC Section 5.02.02(B)(1)(e) lists 'Veterinarian' among the prohibited home-occupation uses, so a resident cannot run even a small animal practice out of a dwelling regardless of the 30-percent floor-area allowance given to other home businesses. Once built, the clinic remains subject to the same nuisance, noise and buffer standards that apply to any commercial use in its district. If the Zoning Administrator finds a violation, such as a kennel run or exam building erected inside the 50-foot line or without the required permit, UDC Section 9.07.03 makes the violation a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $50.00 and not more than $1,000.00, or up to 60 days, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense, plus a doubled permit fee for anyone who built without first obtaining the permit.