Portsmouth, VA Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Use Permit required
- UR and UR-M districts
- Permitted by right
- NMU, GMU, MU-H, IL, IN, D1-T4/T5
- Indoor requirement
- Entirely indoors unless approved outdoor kennel
- Residential buffer
- 200-ft triggers fully enclosed building
- Outdoor run standard
- 50-ft setback, secure fencing
- Governing section
- Zoning Ordinance Sec. 40.2-217(G)(2)
Summary
Veterinary clinics in Portsmouth need a discretionary Use Permit in the Urban Residential and Urban Residential-Mixed districts and are permitted by right only in Neighborhood Mixed-Use, General Mixed-Use, Mixed-Use High, Light Industrial, Industrial, and two Downtown sub-districts. Every clinic must also meet Sec. 40.2-217(G)(2)'s odor, enclosure, and outdoor-run standards.
VETERINARY CLINIC—A facility for the care and treatment of animals, including household pets and larger domesticated animals. Such facilities shall be entirely indoors unless also authorized and approved as an outdoor kennel. ... Animal Care Uses. In addition to general requirements, animal grooming, animal shelters, domestic animal breeding, kennels (indoor and outdoor), and veterinary clinics shall comply with the following standards:(a)Animal care uses shall be sufficiently insulated so no unreasonable odor or noise can be detected off the premises.(b)Animal care uses located within 200 feet of residentially zoned property shall be within a completely enclosed and adequately ventilated building.(c)Non-porous surfaces shall be used in all outside animal areas.(d)Any outdoor runs or pens used to house animals shall comply with the following standards:(i)Be located at least 50 feet from any lot line;(ii)Be secured with adequate fencing or walls to ensure containment of the animals; and(iii)Animals shall be confined to an enclosed building from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Portsmouth's Zoning Ordinance defines VETERINARY CLINIC at Sec. 2-216 marks veterinary clinics with a "U" (requiring a discretionary Use Permit) in the Urban Residential (UR) and Urban Residential-Mixed (UR-M) districts, meaning a clinic cannot open in those residential-leaning zones as of right; it needs a public hearing and approved conditions first. The use is permitted outright ("P") in Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMU), General Mixed-Use (GMU), Mixed-Use High (MU-H), Light Industrial (IL), Industrial (IN), and Downtown D1-T4 and D1-T5, and is not a listed use at all in the base Neighborhood or General Residential districts or in the Historic, Commercial, or Waterfront districts.
Whichever district a clinic lands in, Sec. m. Site Plan or Zoning Permit review under Sec. 2-217(B) is where compliance with these standards is checked before a Certificate of Occupancy issues.
Violations & Fines
A veterinary clinic that opens in the Urban Residential or Urban Residential-Mixed district without first obtaining the required Use Permit, or that fails to meet the Sec. 40.2-217(G)(2) enclosure, buffer, or confinement standards, is subject to zoning enforcement: a notice of violation, revocation of the Zoning or Use Permit, and withholding of the Certificate of Occupancy until the clinic comes into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a veterinary clinic need a special permit in Portsmouth?
Can a veterinary clinic have outdoor kennels in Portsmouth?
How close can a veterinary clinic be to a residential neighborhood?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portsmouth
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