Dothan, AL Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

Dothan City Code § 114-26 draws a hard line between the two use types: a veterinarian provides only outpatient care and treatment, and boarding of animals is not permitted at a veterinarian; an animal hospital is where animals may be boarded during their treatment and convalescence. The Table of Permitted Uses at § 114-131.7 lists "Animal Hospital/Veterinarian" as permitted by right (P) in the A-C, Agricultural-Conservation district and in L-I, Light Industry; it is also permitted in B-1 Central Business, B-2 Highway Commercial, B-3 Local Shopping, and O-I Office/Institutional, each marked with footnote 4, which requires a special exception if non-medical boarding is included.

No column is marked for any residential district (R-1 through R-A), MH-1, MH-2, O-2, O-3, or H-I, so the use cannot locate there. A business seeking to add boarding beyond what's incidental to medical treatment in one of the footnoted commercial or office districts must apply for a special exception before the Board of Zoning Adjustment under §§ 114-98 and 114-99, paying the board's $35.00 nonrefundable application fee and clearing the board's hardship and public-interest findings. Building and business permits for a veterinary use still require the administrative official's sign-off under § 114-40 confirming the site plan matches the district's permitted use table.