San Antonio, TX Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

Sec. 35-311 holds the Nonresidential Use Matrix (Table 311-2), and it lists two veterinary hospital rows. The Large And Small Animal row carries a P under I-1 and an S under ERZD, with every other column empty. The Small Animal row carries a P under L, a P under I-1 and an S under ERZD. Subsection (a) bars any use that is not listed as permitted or as a specific use permit, and subsection (c) says a blank cell means the use is not allowed in that district. A veterinarian therefore cannot open a hospital in the O-1, O-1.5, O-2, NC, C-1, C-2, C-3 or D columns.

Appendix A draws the dividing line between the uses. A large and/or small animal hospital treats large animals such as livestock and can include outside runs, paddocks and pens. A small animal hospital treats small animals and permits overnight and outside boarding. The separate animal clinic use covers prevention, treatment and minor surgery for small domestic animals, all inside a completely enclosed building, with no noise or odors perceptible beyond the property line and no animals kept outside at any time. Table 311-2 permits that clinic by right in the NC, C-1, C-2, C-3, D and L columns and with a specific use permit in ERZD, so a storefront practice with no outdoor animals belongs under the clinic row, not the hospital rows.

An S means the owner must win a specific use authorization under Sec. 35-423. The application goes to the Director of Planning and Development Services, the Zoning Commission holds a public hearing, and City Council approves or denies. The applicant must bring a commission-reviewed application to Council within six months or restart with a new application and fee. Council can impose conditions such as special setbacks, increased screening or landscaping, lighting and hours of operation, and can require a performance guarantee.

The ERZD exists to protect the Edwards Aquifer recharge area, and its permitted land uses are those without operations, production or storage of hazardous materials that could contribute contaminants to the water supply.

Parking is set separately by Table 526-3b in Sec. 35-526: all four veterinary hospital variants require 1 space per employee, counted on the largest shift, with no maximum listed (N/A). Areas zoned D are exempt from the off-street parking provisions, and bicycle spaces equal 10 percent of the minimum vehicle spaces, capped at 24.