Fountain Valley, CA Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

Table 2-6 in § 21.10.030 lists 'Veterinarians, animal hospitals, kennels, boarding' as one use with CUP in the C1, C2 and M1 columns and a dash, meaning use not allowed, in the CP and CM columns. The row has no permitted-by-right district. The mixed-use table in § 21.15.030 lists the same use as CUP for MU-1 and MU-2 and points to § 21.15.040(c)(3) in its Specific Use Regulations column.

Section 21.90.020 defines the use as office and indoor medical treatment facilities used by veterinarians, including large and small animal veterinary clinics and animal hospitals. Kennels and boarding operations are commercial facilities for the keeping, boarding or maintaining of four or more dogs four months of age or older, or four or more cats, except for dogs or cats in pet shops. A home with three dogs falls outside that definition; a fourth dog over four months old crosses it.

Every CUP goes through Chapter 21.36. Section 21.36.030 has the commission approve, approve with conditions or disapprove, and § 21.36.050 requires findings that the design, location, shape, size and operating characteristics are compatible with existing and future land uses in the vicinity and that the use is not detrimental to public health, safety or welfare.

Parking is set in § 21.22.040 for 'Kennels, animal boarding and veterinary clinics' at 1 space for each 500 sq. ft. of gross floor area, plus 1 space for each 800 sq. ft. of boarding area. A 4,000 sq. ft. clinic with 800 sq. ft. of boarding counts 9 spaces. Pet grooming is a separate parking category at 1 space for each 400 sq. ft.