Davis · Land use · Kennel
Where is a kennel (dog boarding) allowed in Davis?
In Davis, a kennel (dog boarding) is allowed in 2 base zones (C-S and CMU, all with a condition) and needs a permit in 5 (A, N-M, N-L, MS-M and MS-L, 4 with a condition) (Davis use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: C-S and CMU
- Needs a permit: A, N-M, N-L, MS-M and MS-L
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Davis Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where a kennel (dog boarding) can go
Davis's code calls this use “Animal care ... kennels / Veterinary Clinic/Boarding”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| C-S Commercial Service | Allowed — see note Note enclosed: Permitted only for animal care uses 'that operate entirely within a wholly enclosed building.' § 40.17.040(k) (S46) lists 'Animal care ... kennels' as a conditional use without the enclosure condition. | § 40.17.020 |
| CMU Commercial Mixed Use | Allowed — see note Note enclosed: Permitted only for animal care uses 'that operate entirely within a wholly enclosed building.' § 40.18.040(j) (S49) makes uses conditionally permitted in the C-S district conditional in CMU; C-S lists animal care kennels as conditional without the enclosure condition. | § 40.18.020 |
| A Agricultural | Needs a conditional use permit | § 40.02.040 |
| N-M | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note 1: All uses required to be in compliance with the frontage requirements in Section 40.14.090 (Specific to frontage types). | § 40.13.130 |
| N-L | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note 1: All uses required to be in compliance with the frontage requirements in Section 40.14.090 (Specific to frontage types). | § 40.13.130 |
| MS-M | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note 1: All uses required to be in compliance with the frontage requirements in Section 40.14.090 (Specific to frontage types). | § 40.13.130 |
| MS-L | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note 1: All uses required to be in compliance with the frontage requirements in Section 40.14.090 (Specific to frontage types). | § 40.13.130 |
What else applies
- C-S (S46 k) lists 'Animal care ... kennels' as a conditional use with no enclosure limit; CMU makes C-S conditional uses conditional (S49 j). C-N combining district permits enclosed kennels (not a base zone).
- Not covered here: Downtown zone names (N-M, N-L, MS-M, MS-L) are not spelled out in the packet; Sections 40.26.135, 40.26.160, 40.26.270, 40.26.255 and the definitions in 40.01.010 (group care home, day care center) are not in the packet; R-3-L / R-3-M sub-districts named in S10/S23 have no table of their own in the packet. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Davis
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a kennel (dog boarding) in the A zone in Davis?
Only with a conditional use permit. Davis's use table lists it that way in A (Agricultural) (§ 40.02.040).
Can I have a kennel (dog boarding) in the C-S zone in Davis?
Yes, with a condition. Davis's use table lists it as allowed in C-S (Commercial Service) (§ 40.17.020). The code adds a condition: “Permitted only for animal care uses 'that operate entirely within a wholly enclosed building.' § 40.17.040(k) (S46) lists 'Animal care ... kennels' as a conditional use without the enclosure condition.”
General information, not legal advice.
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