Evansville, IN Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- By-right zones
- A, CON, AIR districts (Use Group 18)
- Special use needed
- SU 25 in commercial/industrial zones
- Administering body
- Evansville-Vanderburgh Area Plan Commission
- First violation fine
- Up to $500
- Repeat violation fine
- Up to $7,500 within 12 months
Summary
Veterinary clinics are permitted outright in Evansville's agricultural, conservancy and airport zones, but need Special Use No. 25 approval from the Area Plan Commission to locate in commercial or industrial districts.
List of uses permitted with SU 25 in the A, C-4, M-1, M-2, AIR and W-R districts, which meet the requirements and restrictions of those zones:
(A) The following recreational and service uses:
(1) Amusement park or theme park;
(2) Animal or vehicle racetrack;
(3) Campground. Premises used for temporary parking of trailers, campers, or recreational vehicles;
(4) Child care centers;
(5) Drive-in theater;
(6) Permanent circus or carnival grounds.
(B) The following service uses (no special use required in agricultural zone – permitted use per Use Group 18):
(1) Boarding/Breeding Kennel. Premises on which four or more small animals at least four months old are kept;
(2) Veterinarian or veterinary clinic. [Ord. G-89-17, passed 5-24-89; Ord. G-85-64, passed 12-16-85; Ord. G-78-13, passed 5-8-78; Ord. G-76-10, passed 2-28-77. 1962 Code, Art. 9, Ch. 32, § 21; 1982 Code § 153.086; 1983 Code § 15.153.086.]
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance G-2026-12, passed June 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Evansville Municipal Code § 18.125.210 (Use Group 18) lists veterinary clinic as a permitted use in the A (Agricultural), CON (Conservancy) and AIR (Airport) districts, alongside kennels, livestock ranches and riding stables. Outside agricultural zoning, § 18.125.220 (Use Group 19) places 'Veterinarian or veterinary clinic' among service uses that require Special Use No. 25 approval before locating in the A, C-4, M-1, M-2, AIR or W-R districts; the agricultural zone alone gets a by-right pass under Use Group 18. The joint Evansville-Vanderburgh Area Plan Commission, not the City acting alone, administers these approvals and issues the required improvement location permit.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the required special use approval or improvement location permit draws a civil penalty starting at $500, rising to $7,500 for repeat violations within 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a veterinary clinic anywhere in Evansville?
Who approves veterinary clinic zoning in Evansville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evansville
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