San Bernardino County, CA Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed zones
- IC, SD-COM, SD-IND only
- Permit required
- Minor Use Permit (M/C)
- Barred zones
- IR, IN, SD-RES districts
- Citation
- § 82.06.040, Table 82-17
- No-permit result
- Declared a public nuisance
Summary
Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals in unincorporated San Bernardino County may open only in Community Industrial (IC), SD-COM, or SD-IND districts, each requiring a Minor Use Permit under Development Code Table 82-17.
LAND USE PERMIT REQUIRED BY DISTRICT See Division 10 Specific Use (Definitions) for land IC IR IN SD-RES (1) SD-COM (1) SD-IND (1) Regulations use definitions ... Veterinary clinic, animal M/C — — — M/C M/C hospital
Full Breakdown
County Code Table 82-17 (§ 82.06.040) lists "Veterinary clinic, animal hospital" as an M/C use, requiring a Minor Use Permit under Chapter 85.06, or a Conditional Use Permit if the project is disqualified under § 85.06.050, in the IC (Community Industrial), SD-COM, and SD-IND districts, but bars it outright (", ") in IR (Regional Industrial), IN (Institutional), and SD-RES districts. No separate veterinary entry appears in the county's Commercial or Residential land-use tables, so a clinic cannot locate on land zoned strictly commercial or residential in the unincorporated area, it must sit on a qualifying industrial or special-development parcel and clear Minor Use Permit review through Land Use Services before opening.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the required Minor Use Permit is declared an unlawful public nuisance under §§ 86.09.040–.050; each day of noncompliance is a separate offense subject to County code enforcement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a veterinary clinic locate on commercial-zoned land in unincorporated San Bernardino County?
What permit does a vet clinic need in an IC zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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