Santa Clara County, CA Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Permits required
- Use permit + ASA
- Minimum lot size
- 2.5 acres
- Applies in districts
- A, AR, HS, RR
- Boarding limit
- 30 days under care
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County requires both a use permit and a minimum 2.5-acre lot for veterinary clinics and hospitals in every rural base district, Exclusive Agriculture, Agricultural Ranchlands, Hillside and Rural Residential, under Zoning Ordinance § 2.20.020.
A AR HS RR Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals U U U U Note 17 ... 17.The minimum lot size for veterinary clinics and hospitals shall be two and one-half acres.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Zoning Ordinance § 2.20.020, Table 2.20-2 lists Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals as a 'U' use, requiring both a use permit (Chapter 5.65) and architecture and site approval (Chapter 5.40), across all four rural base districts: A (Exclusive Agriculture), AR (Agricultural Ranchlands), HS (Hillside) and RR (Rural Residential). Note 17 to that table sets the minimum lot size for a veterinary clinic or hospital at two and one-half acres, on top of the discretionary permit review. The use classification, defined at § 2.10.040, covers medical and surgical treatment of domestic and farm animals, including grooming and boarding of animals under active medical care for up to 30 days.
Violations & Fines
Opening a veterinary clinic or hospital on a rural parcel under 2.5 acres, or without the required use permit and architecture and site approval, is a zoning violation subject to County enforcement and permit denial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a veterinary clinic on rural unincorporated Santa Clara County land?
Does this rule apply inside San Jose or Los Gatos?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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