Veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and boarding kennels in Spokane are sited through SMC Title 17C land use standards, allowed in commercial and some mixed-use zones with conditions on overnight boarding and outdoor runs.
Spokane Municipal Code Chapter 17C classifies animal services as a commercial use. Small-animal clinics without overnight boarding are typically permitted in office, neighborhood retail, and general commercial zones. Clinics with kennels, large-animal services, or outdoor runs are usually conditional uses requiring noise mitigation, setback compliance, and odor controls. Clinics in or near residential zones must observe SMC noise standards (Chapter 10.08D) for barking and HVAC, and kennel waste must be managed under Spokane Regional Health District solid-waste guidance. Operators also need a SCRAPS commercial license and Washington Veterinary Medical Examining Board credentials.
Operating outside the permitted zone can trigger Spokane Code Enforcement civil penalties, stop-work orders for build-out, and conditional-use revocation for noise or odor non-compliance.
Spokane, WA
Spokane regulates commercial pet sales through SMC Chapter 6 dealer and kennel licensing administered by SCRAPS, with state Department of Agriculture rules l...
Spokane, WA
Spokane allows home occupations in all residential zones under SMC 17C.315. Must be secondary to residential use, no more than 25% of dwelling floor area, no...
See how Spokane's veterinary clinic zoning rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.