Virginia Beach, VA Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

Virginia Beach zones veterinary clinics, called 'animal hospitals' in the code, as a conditional use, not a by-right use, meaning City Council approval is required in every zoning district that allows them. The Zoning Ordinance requires any building or outdoor area housing animals to sit at least 100 feet from the property line of an adjacent lot, unless the animals are kept in a soundproof, air-conditioned building, in which case the setback doesn't apply. Off-street parking is set at one space per 400 square feet of floor area, though residential kennels are exempt from that parking formula and instead follow whatever the conditional use permit specifies.