Novato, CA Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

Novato regulates veterinary uses through the commercial and industrial land use table in Section 19.12.030 of the Zoning Ordinance. Table 2-7 uses three symbols: P for a permitted use, UP for a use requiring a Use Permit, and a dash for a use not allowed. The seven columns are BPO (Business and Professional Office), CN (Neighborhood Commercial), CG (General Commercial), CDR (Downtown Core Retail), CDB (Downtown Core Business), CI (Commercial/Industrial) and LIO (Light Industrial/Office).

The table splits veterinary care into two rows. Veterinary clinics, animal hospitals print a dash in BPO, CN and CDR and UP in CG, CDB, CI and LIO. Veterinary clinics, outpatient treatment only print a dash in BPO and CDR and UP in CN, CG, CDB, CI and LIO. No district prints P for either row, so every approved clinic goes through the Use Permit process in Section 19.42.050, which note (3) to the table cross-references.

Kennels and boarding have their own row. Kennels & boarding print UP only in CG, CI and LIO. The glossary in Division 19.60 defines Veterinary Clinics, Animal Hospitals, Kennels as office and indoor medical treatment facilities used by veterinarians, including large and small animal veterinary clinics and animal hospitals. It defines kennels and boarding operations as commercial facilities for keeping, boarding or maintaining four or more dogs four months of age or older, or four or more cats, except for dogs or cats in pet shops.

Parking is set separately in Table 3-7 of Section 19.30.040. Veterinary clinics and hospitals need 1 space for each 350 square feet, plus 1 space for each 1,000 square feet of boarding area, while kennels and animal boarding need 1 space for each 500 square feet plus 1 space for each 1,000 square feet of boarding area. Animal control in Novato is handled by Marin Humane under county contract, so the City's role on this topic is land use review by the Community Development Department.