Waco, TX Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic Zoning (2026)

Waco's zoning special-permit process, Sec. , requires an application filed with the planning commission (Sec. 28-123), a development plan showing site layout, improvements and landscaping (Sec. 28-124), a report from the director of planning (Sec. 28-125), a commission public hearing with a report and recommendation forwarded to the city council within 45 days (Sec. 28-128), a council public hearing held within 30 days of receiving that recommendation (Sec. 28-129), and a final council decision within 45 days of the close of its hearing (Sec. 28-130), which can approve, modify, deny, or attach conditions such as an enlarged lot or yard.

To grant the permit, the council must find the veterinary clinic meets the five criteria in Sec. 28-122: consistency with the comprehensive plan, compatibility with orderly neighborhood development, no greater objectionability from traffic, noise, fumes or vibration than a use permitted outright, adequate community facilities and road access, and consistency with any applicable special-district regulations. In the R-E district, item 18 of the Sec. 28-273 special-use list is 'Veterinarian clinics (no outside kennel)'; the parallel R-1B list at Sec. ' The 'no outside kennel' qualifier means an approved permit authorizes indoor clinic operations only, not outdoor animal runs or holding pens.

Related uses appear in the same special-use lists and require their own permits: 'kennels and stables' is item 17 in both districts, and 'agriculture, feed lots' is item 16 in the R-E list.