Rutherford County, TN Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

The Zoning Ordinance's Appendix B Land Use Activity Table lists two distinct veterinary categories. "Veterinary Services for Large Animals" falls under the Agricultural Sales & Services activity group alongside feed milling and horticultural services; that group is marked SE (Special Exception) in the AR and RL districts, N (Not Permitted) in RM, RMF, MHP, OP, IN, LI and HI, and P (Permitted) in CN, CS, CG, VNC, RC and EAC. "Animal Care & Veterinarian Services", the general clinic category, carries a different pattern: SE in AR, N in RL, RM, RMF, MHP and IN, SE in OP, and P outright in CN, CS, CG, LI, HI, VNC, RC and EAC.

A special exception for either use requires a written application filed with the Planning Department under Section 1408, a public hearing held within 60 days of filing, and a Board of Zoning Appeals decision within 90 days; special exceptions are authorized under TCA Section 13-7-109 and run with the land once approved, transferring to a new owner without a rehearing as long as the use does not change. Parking for a large-animal veterinary use is set at one space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area under the Off-Street Parking table, plus one space per employee for the broader Feed & Farm Equipment Sales grouping it sits within. C.