Lincoln, NE Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Lincoln Municipal Code § 27.63.790
- Permit required
- Planning Commission special permit
- Outdoor screening
- Opaque fence/wall, ground to 6 ft
- Outdoor hours
- No outdoor use 10 p.m.–7 a.m.
- Setbacks
- Must meet zoning district setbacks
Summary
Lincoln requires veterinary facilities and kennels operating as special permit uses to get Planning Commission approval, meet zoning setbacks, screen outdoor exercise areas, and restrict outdoor animal use to daytime hours.
Veterinary facilities and/or kennels which do not comply with the requirements for a permitted conditional use under Section 27.62.100 may be allowed by special permit in such districts under the following conditions: 1. All outdoor areas and fences surrounding outdoor areas shall meet the setbacks of the zoning district. 2. All outdoor areas shall be screened 100% from the ground to six feet in height with an opaque fence or wall. Slats in chain link fence are not acceptable. 3. Use of outdoor areas between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. is prohibited.
Full Breakdown
Under Lincoln Municipal Code section 27.63.790, a veterinary facility or kennel that does not qualify as a permitted conditional use under Section 27.62.100 needs a special permit from the Planning Commission before it can operate in districts where the use is allowed. Outdoor exercise areas must meet the district's setback requirements and be screened floor-to-six-feet with an opaque fence or wall; chain-link fencing with privacy slats does not count. Owners cannot use outdoor runs between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., animals must stay under a handler's supervision outdoors, and the Planning Commission can cap how many animals use the outdoor area at once.
Violations & Fines
Operating a veterinary facility or kennel without the required special permit, or violating its conditions like missing screening or unauthorized nighttime outdoor use, exposes the operator to city code enforcement and can trigger revocation of the special permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lincoln require a permit to open a veterinary clinic or kennel?
Can a Lincoln veterinary facility keep animals outside overnight?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lincoln
Compare Lincoln to another location·View the Nebraska animal ordinances overview
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