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Kenosha County, WI Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Zoning status
Conditional use in B-2 and B-5 Districts
Setback
100 feet from any property boundary
Structure rule
Enclosed, noise-deadening construction like concrete
Permit authority
Planning, Development & Extension Education Committee
Applies in
Unincorporated towns adopting county zoning only
Penalty
$10-$500 forfeiture per day, jail if unpaid

Summary

Kenosha County treats animal hospitals, shelters, kennels and veterinary services as a conditional use in the B-2 Community Business District and B-5 District, not a by-right use. Section 12.33.020(d)(1) requires a conditional use permit, and section 12.40.080(b)(6) sets the standards the Planning, Development & Extension Education Committee attaches: enclosed animal housing set back 100 feet from any property line, proper waste disposal, and noise-deadening construction.

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

(d) Conditional Uses (see also section 12.40.080) (8/6/02). 1. Animal hospitals, shelters and kennels and veterinary services ... 6. Animal hospitals, shelters and kennels and veterinary services in the B-2 and B-5 Districts. (8/5/94) a. All animals shall be kept within an enclosed structure and no structure or animal enclosure shall be located closer than one hundred (100) feet to a property boundary. b. Adequate provisions shall be made for the proper disposal of animal waste. c. Buildings to house animals shall be constructed with materials so as to deaden noise, such as concrete, etc.

Full Breakdown

020(d)(1). A conditional use is never permitted outright: the operator must apply through the Kenosha County Department of Planning and Development and win approval from the Planning, Development & Extension Education Committee before opening. 080(b)(6) sets the standards the Committee applies specifically to 'Animal hospitals, shelters and kennels and veterinary services in the B-2 and B-5 Districts,' added August 5, 1994: all animals must be kept within an enclosed structure, and no structure or animal enclosure can sit closer than 100 feet to a property boundary; the operator must make adequate provision for disposing of animal waste; and any building housing animals must be built of noise-deadening material such as concrete.

080(a) also lets the Committee attach further conditions on hours of operation, fencing, lighting or traffic circulation to control nuisance impacts on neighboring parcels. 030(a) applies it only to the unincorporated areas of townships that have adopted it. A veterinary clinic sited inside the City of Kenosha, the City of Lake Geneva, or a village such as Pleasant Prairie, Somers, Paddock Lake, Twin Lakes or Silver Lake answers to that municipality's own zoning code, not Chapter 12. 070.

Violations & Fines

The Department of Planning and Development investigates complaints against a permit holder, and the Planning, Development & Extension Education Committee must hold a hearing within 45 days under section 12.40.070; it may suspend or revoke the conditional use permit, and continued operation after suspension or revocation is itself a violation. General penalties under section 12.53.010 run $10 to $500 per offense plus prosecution costs, with up to 30 days in the county jail for nonpayment, and each day of continued violation counts as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a veterinary clinic by right in Kenosha County?
No. Section 12.33.020(d)(1) lists animal hospitals, shelters, kennels and veterinary services as a conditional use in the B-2 Community Business District, so it requires a conditional use permit from the Planning, Development & Extension Education Committee, not automatic approval.
How far must animal enclosures sit from the property line?
At least 100 feet from any property boundary under section 12.40.080(b)(6), which also requires animals kept in an enclosed structure built of noise-deadening material such as concrete, plus adequate disposal of animal waste.
Does this rule apply to a clinic inside the City of Kenosha?
No. Section 12.02.030(a) limits Chapter 12 to unincorporated township areas that adopted county zoning. Clinics inside the City of Kenosha, City of Lake Geneva, or the county's villages follow that municipality's own code instead.
What happens if a clinic violates its permit conditions?
The Department of Planning and Development can bring a complaint, the Committee holds a hearing within 45 days under section 12.40.070, and may suspend or revoke the permit; continued operation after that is a separate violation carrying a $10-$500 forfeiture under section 12.53.010.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Kenosha County

All Kenosha County rules

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