Clifton, NJ Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

1X governs the P-MU District and lists an animal hospital, item [15], among the permitted limited manufacturing uses alongside research and laboratory facilities and repair and machine shops, meaning veterinary treatment facilities can locate there without a variance. 1N covers the M-2 Industrial District and separately lists an animal hospital, item [4], as a permitted use on M-2 lots that are contiguous to or have direct access other than by a public street to a four-or-more-lane divided highway, alongside printing shops, newspaper publishing plants and an accessory cafeteria.

Outside those two named districts, an animal hospital is not listed as a permitted use in Clifton's Schedule of Regulations, so locating one in a straight residential or standard business district would require a use variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment rather than a by-right zoning permit. The veterinary licensing exemption at § 203-20 separately confirms that a graduate veterinarian's establishment for diagnostic, medical or surgical treatment of dogs is not subject to kennel/pet shop licensing, but that section addresses licensing, not where the use may be sited.