Spokane County, WA Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SCC 14.618.230(3)
- Zones
- Rural-5 (R-5), RAC, Urban Reserve (UR)
- Boarding of healthy animals
- Prohibited
- Noise standard
- WAC 173-60-040
- Commercial-zone parallel
- SCC 14.612.230(2), CC/RC/LDAC
Summary
A veterinary clinic in Spokane County's rural R-5, RAC or UR zones must keep all treatment rooms, cages and runs inside a fully enclosed, soundproofed building and cannot board healthy animals. Section 14.618.230(3) sets these limited-use conditions, and off-street parking cannot sit in the front or flanking yard or be lit.
3.Animal health services (R-5, RAC, UR zones).a.Treatment rooms, cages, yards, or runs shall be maintained within a completely enclosed building. Compliance with noise standards for a commercial noise source as identified by WAC 173-60-040 shall be demonstrated by the applicant.b.The facility shall be designed as to create an exterior appearance compatible to adjacent surroundings.c.Boarding of animals not under treatment shall not be permitted, either inside or outside the clinic building, and the operation of the clinic shall be conducted in such a way as to produce no objectionable odors or noise outside its walls, or other nuisance or health hazard.d.Off-street parking areas shall not be located within front or flanking street yard areas and shall not be illuminated.e.The use shall be subject to restrictions and conditions, as may be imposed by the hearing examiner under chapter 14.404.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
230, item 3. Treatment rooms, cages, yards or runs must be maintained within a completely enclosed building, and the applicant must demonstrate compliance with the commercial noise standard set by WAC 173-60-040. The facility's exterior design must be compatible with the surrounding rural surroundings, and boarding of animals not currently under treatment is barred entirely, inside or outside the clinic building, with the clinic required to operate without producing objectionable odors or noise beyond its walls. Off-street parking areas cannot be located in the front or flanking street yard and cannot be illuminated, a restriction aimed at keeping the rural streetscape dark and low-key at night.
230(2) permits it as a limited use in Community Commercial, Regional Commercial and LDA Commercial with its own no-outside-runs and no-boarding conditions, while it is not permitted at all in Neighborhood Commercial. 404 beyond the baseline standards listed in the code.
Violations & Fines
Boarding animals not under treatment, running outdoor kennel runs, or illuminating front-yard parking at a veterinary clinic in the R-5, RAC or UR zones violates Section 14.618.230(3) and is enforced under Chapter 14.408, carrying a Level I ($200) or Level II ($500) civil notice of violation plus $50 per day the condition continues, appealable to the hearing examiner within fourteen days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a veterinary clinic have outdoor dog runs in rural unincorporated Spokane County?
Are there parking restrictions on veterinary clinics in Spokane County?
Does a veterinary clinic need a conditional use permit in Spokane County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spokane County
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