Royal Oak Township, MI Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

Royal Oak Charter Township regulates veterinary uses through Chapter 32, Zoning. The use-specific site standards are in § 32-765, Site development standards for nonresidential uses, subsections (t) for veterinary clinics and (u) for veterinary hospitals.

Both subsections require that all activities be conducted within a completely enclosed building. The difference is distance. Under § 32-765(t)(2), all buildings of a veterinary clinic must be set back at least 50 feet from abutting land that is zoned for residential use. Under § 32-765(u)(2), all buildings of a veterinary hospital must be set back at least 100 feet from abutting land zoned residential. A clinic must also meet § 32-765(t)(3): it cannot contain facilities for boarding of animals, and treatment is limited to domesticated animals considered as pets.

The zoning definitions in Chapter 32 treat the names as one use. Animal hospital, hospital (veterinary) and veterinary hospital each point to the definition of Clinic, Veterinary: an institution licensed by the state department of community health to provide for the care, diagnosis and treatment of sick or injured animals, including those in need of medical or surgical attention. That definition adds that a veterinary clinic can include customary pens or cages for overnight boarding of animals and related laboratories, testing services and offices. The definition allows overnight pens while § 32-765(t)(3) forbids boarding facilities at a clinic, so ask the Township Building Department which text applies before drawing plans.

The use lists show where the standards apply. In the O-1 Office District, § 32-433(b)(4) lists veterinary hospitals or clinics as a special land use. In the C-2 Community Business District, § 32-478(b)(8) lists veterinary hospitals and clinics as a special land use subject to section 32-765(u). Special land uses in those districts are permitted subject to the conditions specified for each use, review and approval of the site plan, any special conditions imposed during review, and the provisions of articles II and IX of Chapter 32.

The Township Board of Trustees adopted this zoning chapter; the Building Department administers it. Animal Control enforcement of animal care and licensing rules sits in Chapter 4 and is separate from these land-use standards.