Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Ascension Parish

Ascension Parish, LA Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Indoor-only vet clinic permitted in
MU, MU2, CC districts only
Outdoor-animal use reclassified as
"Kennels" (different district list)
Kennels permitted in
MU, R, C districts only
Governing table
UDC Appendix I, Table A
General penalty
$50-$500 fine or up to 30 days jail

Summary

Ascension Parish's Unified Land Development Code permits animal hospitals and veterinarian offices, provided the animals are kept inside, only in the Mixed Use (MU), Mixed Use 2 (MU2) and Crossroad Commercial (CC) districts. A clinic that keeps animals outdoors is instead treated as a kennel, which the code confines to a different, narrower set of districts.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Ascension Parish. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

MU MU2 CC RM R C LI C5 MI HI A ... Animal hospital and veterinarian offices, provided animals are kept inside, otherwise see "Kennels" Y Y Y

View official code

Full Breakdown

Appendix I, Table A of the parish's Unified Land Development Code lists 'Animal hospital and veterinarian offices, provided animals are kept inside, otherwise see "Kennels"' as a commercial use marked Y, permitted with no conditional use review, only in the Mixed Use (MU), Mixed Use 2 (MU2) and Crossroad Commercial (CC) districts. It is not a listed use in the parish's residential, rural, conservation or industrial districts. The cross-reference is deliberate: if a veterinary practice keeps any animals outdoors, whether in runs, kennels or exercise yards, Table A instead applies the separate 'Kennels' row, which is permitted only in Mixed Use (MU), Rural (R) and Conservation (C) districts, a materially different footprint than the indoor-only vet clinic use.

A practice proposing to operate on land outside these listed districts, or that mixes indoor treatment with outdoor boarding on a lot zoned only for the indoor-animal use, needs a use interpretation from the Zoning Official under Section 17-2090(P) or a rezoning petition to the Zoning Commission before opening. Because a veterinary clinic is classified as a commercial use, it must also obtain a development permit and certificate of occupancy under Section 17-2090 before the building can be occupied for that purpose, and site plan review applies if the clinic sits on a commercial parcel of qualifying size.

Violations & Fines

Operating an animal hospital, veterinarian office or kennel in a district where Table A does not list that specific use is a violation of the Unified Land Development Code under Section 17-2090(W)(1). The penalty is a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00, up to 30 days in jail, or both, and each day the violation continues is a separate offense; the Building Official may also stop work or revoke a permit issued in error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a veterinary clinic in a rural or conservation-zoned part of Ascension Parish?
Not as an 'animal hospital and veterinarian office' use, which Table A limits to the Mixed Use (MU), Mixed Use 2 (MU2) and Crossroad Commercial (CC) districts. If the practice keeps animals outdoors it falls under the 'Kennels' row instead, which is allowed in Mixed Use, Rural and Conservation districts, so the district that works depends on whether animals stay inside.
Does it matter if my vet clinic boards animals outside overnight?
Yes. Table A's veterinarian-office entry only applies 'provided animals are kept inside'; otherwise the code directs you to the 'Kennels' row, which is permitted in a different and narrower set of districts (MU, R, C). Mixing indoor treatment with outdoor boarding can put a project outside its zoned use.
What happens if I open a vet office in a district that doesn't list it?
You would be violating the Unified Land Development Code under Section 17-2090(W)(1), which carries a fine of $50 to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both, with each day of continued operation counted as a separate offense; the parish can also deny or revoke the development permit.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Ascension Parish

Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsLight RestrictionsCat RulesSome RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsMicrochippingLight RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions

All Ascension Parish rules

Compare Ascension Parish to another location·View the Louisiana animal ordinances overview

Get notified when Veterinary Clinic Zoning in Ascension Parish, LA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.