St. Johns County, FL Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

Land Development Code Sec. 41 makes Veterinary Offices and Animal Hospitals a Special Use in the districts listed under Sec. 01, meaning a clinic cannot open by right; the applicant goes through the Planning and Zoning Agency, which under Sec. 01-A must find the use will not substantially harm the public good, is compatible with surrounding uses, and complies with all Article II standards. A completely enclosed animal-housing structure must sit at least 100 feet from any residentially zoned property or Open Rural land with a Residential Future Land Use designation; a structure that is not completely enclosed must sit at least 200 feet away.

Sec. 04 supplies the operating standards referenced by Sec. B: all activities besides exercise yards and confinement areas must occur inside an enclosed, soundproofed building; a fully enclosed four-wall building must be at least 50 feet from residential property, while a non-enclosed building must be at least 300 feet away. Outdoor exercise areas must be at least 100 feet from any dwelling unit on adjacent land and 75 feet from residentially zoned or used property, and confinement yards must be at least 300 feet from a dwelling unit and 300 feet from residential property, with the operator responsible for controlling odor, insects and noise.

Boarding tied to veterinary or surgical treatment is allowed but cannot exceed 20% of building square footage. Sec. C carves out agricultural veterinary practices serving livestock in Agricultural-Intensive or Rural/Silviculture Future Land Use areas: those qualify as a by-right Rural Home Industry under Sec. 4 if they meet the Sec. 04 standards, and only need a Special Use Permit if they exceed Rural Home Industry limits.