Stonecrest, GA Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

Sec. 4.2.11(A) of the Stonecrest Zoning Ordinance sets four standards for animal hospitals and veterinary clinics as a listed animal care facility use. First, the building and the clinical activities themselves must be located and conducted at least 100 feet from any property zoned or used for residential purposes, the same buffer applied to pet grooming shops but paired with stricter operational limits. Second, when a clinic sits within a shopping center, it must be adequately soundproofed and odor-proofed so that barking, animal noise or clinic odors do not create a nuisance for neighboring tenants and customers.

Third, boarding of animals is barred unless it is required in connection with ongoing medical treatment, closing off the standalone boarding-kennel model for a licensed veterinary use. Fourth, outside runs or kennels are prohibited entirely, meaning any exercise or holding area for patients must be indoors. Together these four rules distinguish a veterinary clinic from a commercial boarding kennel or animal shelter, which are separately regulated later in the same section with acreage minimums and fence-height standards. The Planning and Zoning/Community Development Department applies these standards during site plan review and permitting.