Palm Beach County, FL Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- AR/AGR/CLO clinic cap
- 5,000 sq ft, no outdoor runs
- CC/CN clinic cap
- 3,000 sq ft, no outdoor runs
- Outdoor run lot size
- 1 acre minimum
- Outdoor run setback
- 50 ft from residential land
- Applies to
- unincorporated county only
Summary
Unincorporated Palm Beach County caps veterinary clinics at 5,000 sq ft in AR, AGR and CLO zones and requires a 1-acre lot with 50-foot setbacks for any outdoor runs.
40. Veterinary Clinic a. Definition An establishment engaged in providing medical care, treatment, and temporary boarding for animals. b. Approval Process – AGR, AR, CLO Zoning Districts and MUPD with CL, CL-O FLU Designation 1) A Veterinary Clinic may be Permitted by Right in the AR, CLO Zoning District, and MUPD with CL or CL-O FLU designation, subject to the following limitations: [Ord. 2019-005] a) GFA shall not exceed 5,000 square feet; and b) Shall not include outdoor runs. 2) A Veterinary Clinic may be Permitted by Right in the AGR Zoning District. The GFA shall not exceed 5,000 square feet. [Ord. 2019-005] c. Lot Size – AR and AGR Districts Shall be located on a minimum of five acres. d. Zoning District A Veterinary Clinic shall not have outdoor runs and limited to the following: 1) CC and CN Zoning Districts Shall not occupy more than 3,000 square feet of GFA. 2) MUPD with CL FLU Designation and TDD Districts Shall not occupy more than 5,000 square feet of GFA. [Ord. 2017-025] 3) Infill Redevelopment Overlay Boarding facilities shall comply with the standards for a Type 3 Commercial Kennel. e. Outdoor Runs A Veterinary Clinic with outdoor runs shall comply with the following standards: 1) Lot Size A minimum of one acre. 2) Setbacks Outdoor runs shall not be located within 50 feet of any property line adjacent to a parcel of land with a residential FLU designation or use; or 25 feet from any property line adjacent to a nonresidential zoning district, use, or FLU.
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated Palm Beach County, a veterinary clinic is permitted by right in the AR, AGR and CLO zoning districts (and MUPD with CL/CL-O future land use) up to 5,000 square feet of floor area, but only without outdoor runs. In the CC and CN commercial districts the cap drops to 3,000 square feet, also with no outdoor runs. A clinic that does add outdoor runs needs a minimum one-acre lot, a run setback of 50 feet from any residential-designated property line and 25 feet from a nonresidential one, and a 6-foot fence backed by a 4-foot hedge if the fence isn't opaque. This is the unincorporated-county standard only. Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Jupiter and the county's other 34 municipalities set their own zoning for veterinary uses.
Violations & Fines
Operating a veterinary clinic beyond the size cap for its district, or adding outdoor runs without meeting the acre-lot and setback standards, is a zoning code violation subject to the county's Article 10 enforcement process, including stop-work and code compliance citations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a vet clinic have outdoor dog runs in unincorporated Palm Beach County?
Does this rule apply inside West Palm Beach or Boca Raton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.