Franklin County, KY Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

The Franklin County Fiscal Court regulates where veterinary practices can locate through the county zoning chapter, Chapter 155 of the Franklin County Code. In the CL, Rural Limited Commercial District, § 155.146(C)(1) lists animal hospitals and veterinary clinics as a conditional use, grouped with bars and taverns and self-service car washes. Three conditions come with it: the property cannot abut any parcel currently used or zoned for residential purposes, surface water from the establishment cannot drain onto adjacent streets or property, and the site must have adequate on-site storage lanes and parking so that no public way is used for those purposes.

In the PO, Professional Office District, § 155.145(C) separately lists veterinarians' offices as a conditional use. The permitted use table in § 155.085 carries a row for offices of veterinarians and animal hospitals, and that row expressly excludes animal disposal, meaning a crematory. Non-residential development in the CL District follows the bulk table in § 155.146(D): maximum height of 35 ft., minimum front yard of 20 ft., minimum rear yard of 20 ft., minimum side yard of 10 ft., and a minimum landscape area of 20%.

A lot on a septic tank needs 1-1/2 acres, while a lot on public sewer has no minimum. The Board of Zoning Adjustments decides conditional use permits under § 155.048, can attach conditions, and can revoke a permit for non-compliance. This chapter applies in unincorporated Franklin County only. Frankfort has its own code.