Hillsboro, OR Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Enclosed/supervised-yard clinics
- Development Review required
- Unsupervised outdoor runs
- Conditional use permit required
- Outdoor noise limit
- 60 dBA at property line
- Outdoor exercise density
- 10 animals per 1,000 sq ft
- Governing code
- Hillsboro CDC § 12.40.110
Summary
Veterinary clinics in Hillsboro are regulated as animal service facilities: indoor or supervised-yard operations need Development Review approval, while any outdoor run allowing unsupervised animal activity requires a conditional use permit.
Animal service facilities primarily enclosed within a building, or having exterior yards for supervised activity only, may be permitted in certain zones, subject to Section 12.80.040. Where allowed, facilities with outdoor runs allowing unsupervised activity are permitted only as conditional uses under Section 12.80.020.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 1 | Community Development Code: Supplement 1).
Full Breakdown
Hillsboro Community Development Code § 12.40.110 classifies veterinary clinics as animal service facilities alongside boarding, grooming, and pet day care. Facilities enclosed within a building, or with exterior yards limited to supervised activity, may be approved through Development Review under § 12.80.040 in zones where the use is listed. Any facility with outdoor runs allowing unsupervised activity needs conditional use approval under § 12.80.020. Applications must document animal counts, vehicle circulation, noise attenuation, and screening of outdoor areas.
Violations & Fines
Operating an animal service facility, including a vet clinic with unsupervised outdoor runs, without the required Development Review or conditional use approval, or exceeding the outdoor noise and screening standards, is a Community Development Code violation subject to enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a veterinary clinic anywhere in Hillsboro?
Are outdoor dog runs at a Hillsboro vet clinic regulated for noise?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hillsboro
Compare Hillsboro to another location·View the Oregon animal ordinances overview
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