Salinas, CA Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- CO district
- Conditional use permit (CUP) required
- CR district
- Site plan review (SPR) required
- Barred districts
- CO/R and CT commercial districts
- Facility standard
- Must be entirely enclosed, soundproofed
- Incidental boarding
- Up to 30 days if incidental
Summary
Salinas classifies veterinary practices as 'Animal Hospitals' under Sec. 37-10.250, and Table 37-30.90 bars them from the CO/R and CT commercial districts, requires a conditional use permit in the CO district, and allows them with only a site plan review in the CR district.
Animal Hospitals. Establishments where domestic animals receive medical and surgical treatment. This classification includes only facilities that are entirely enclosed and soundproofed. Grooming and temporary (thirty days or less) boarding of animals is included if incidental to the hospital use.
Animal Husbandry. Raising of animals or production of animal products, such as eggs or dairy products, on an agricultural or commercial basis. This classification includes grazing, ranching, dairy farming, and poultry farming.
Animal Retail Sales. Retail sales and boarding of domestic animals, providing such activities take place within an entirely enclosed business. Grooming is included if incidental to the retail use.
Animal Sales and Services. Includes any of the following, as defined in this division: animal boarding, animal grooming, animal hospitals, and animal retail sales.
Annexation. The incorporation of land area into the jurisdiction of the city with a resulting change in the boundaries of the city.
Antenna, Dish (Also Known as a Parabolic Antenna). See Section 37-50.290: Telecommunication facilities for this definition.
Antenna, Panel (Also Known as a Directional Antenna). See Section 37-50.290: Telecommunication facilities for this definition.
Antenna, Whip (Also Known as Omnidirectional Antenna). See Section 37-50.290: Telecommunication facilities for this definition.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 250 defines Animal Hospitals as 'establishments where domestic animals receive medical and surgical treatment,' a classification limited to 'facilities that are entirely enclosed and soundproofed,' with grooming and boarding of thirty days or less allowed only if incidental to the hospital use. 90, the commercial districts use classification table referenced in Sec. 200, treats Animal Hospitals differently in each of the four commercial subdistricts: 'NP,' not permitted, in Commercial Office/Residential (CO/R) and Commercial Thoroughfare (CT); 'CUP,' conditional use permit required, in Commercial Office (CO); and 'SPR,' site plan review required, in Commercial Retail (CR).
That is a stricter table than the one governing Animal Grooming, which the code allows in CR with only a site plan review and bars everywhere else; Animal Hospitals get a middle path into the CO district through a conditional use permit that grooming-only businesses do not have. Footnote (7) on the Animal Hospitals row cross-references Sec. 170's outdoor storage and display standards. Because the definition requires the facility to be 'entirely enclosed and soundproofed,' an open-air kennel or an unsoundproofed exam building would not qualify for the Animal Hospitals classification and its approval path at all, regardless of which commercial district it sits in.
Violations & Fines
Operating a veterinary clinic in the CO/R or CT commercial district is not permitted under Table 37-30.90 and is a zoning violation there no matter what approvals were obtained elsewhere in the city. In the CO district a clinic must first secure a conditional use permit, and in the CR district it must obtain site plan review; opening before that approval is issued, or operating a facility that is not entirely enclosed and soundproofed as Sec. 37-10.250 requires, takes the use outside the Animal Hospitals classification and its approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a veterinary clinic open in a Salinas Commercial Office district?
Does a Salinas veterinary clinic need to be soundproofed?
How long can a Salinas animal hospital board a pet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salinas
California rules heatmap·Compare Salinas to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.