Bernalillo County, NM Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing zone
- C-1 Neighborhood Commercial Zone
- Small animal clinic
- Permissive use, no CUP needed
- Commercial animal establishment
- 6+ dogs/cats, for-profit
- Nonprofit animal facility
- 6+ dogs/cats, not for profit
- Permit needed
- Zoning certificate, § 24
- Max penalty
- $300 fine, 90 days jail
Summary
In unincorporated Bernalillo County, a small animal clinic is a by-right permissive use in the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial Zone and any commercial or industrial zone that carries C-1 uses forward, so no conditional use permit is required. Commercial animal establishments and nonprofit animal facilities share the same permissive listing under Zoning Ordinance § 14.
B.Use Regulations. A building or premises shall be used only for the following purposes. All uses customarily incidental to the building or premises shall be maintained on site.1.Prohibited Uses.a.Any use not designated a permissive use or conditional use in this zone, unless otherwise authorized by this Code; orb.Any use not recognized as customarily incidental to a permitted use in the zone.2.Permissive Uses:a.Any permissive use allowed and as regulated in the O-1 Office and Institutional Zone and the following:(1)Automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, motorized bicycle (moped), all terrain vehicle, and small engine repairing, including emissions testing, but no bodywork...(4)Commercial animal establishments and nonprofit animal facility.(5)Delivery service...(15)Shoe repair shop, shoeshine stand.(16)Small animal clinic.(17)Sign, on-premises provided:...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 92).
Full Breakdown
Bernalillo County Code, Appendix A (Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance) § 14 governs the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial Zone, created to provide office, service, institutional and limited commercial uses for nearby residential areas while minimizing adverse effects on those neighborhoods. a, C-1 carries forward every permissive use already allowed in the O-1 Office and Institutional Zone, then adds its own list. A is enough. a makes any use not designated permissive or conditional a prohibited use, a veterinary or animal-boarding business is not allowed by right in the county's residential zones (A-1, A-2, R-1, R-2, M-H); it must locate in C-1 or a higher commercial/industrial zone, or seek a rezoning or special use permit under § 18. c.
Violations & Fines
Operating a veterinary clinic, kennel, or animal-boarding business in a zone where it is not a listed permissive or conditional use, such as a residential A-1, A-2, R-1, R-2, or M-H zone, without an approved rezoning or special use permit violates §§ 14 and 18. Under § 26, any such violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $300, up to 90 days in the county jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense; the county may also seek a restraining order or injunction to abate it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a veterinary clinic in a residential zone in unincorporated Bernalillo County?
Do I need a conditional use permit to open a small animal clinic in a C-1 zone?
What's the difference between a commercial animal establishment and a nonprofit animal facility under the zoning code?
What happens if I run an animal clinic in the wrong zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bernalillo County
Compare Bernalillo County to another location·View the New Mexico animal ordinances overview
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