Pet Service Space in Brea

What to diligence before LOI

1. 01

   Four different permit paths (Table 20.11.020.A): Animals, grooming is by right in C-N, C-C, C-G and C-M. Animals, daycares (daytime boarding, with overnight stays only in emergencies up to 48 hours under 20.00.070) need a minor conditional use permit in C-N, C-C, C-G and C-M. Animals, veterinary clinic/hospital needs a CUP in C-N, C-C and C-G and is by right in C-M. Commercial boarding and kennels (overnight) need a CUP in C-G, are by right in C-M, and are not allowed in C-P, C-N or the C-C Major Shopping Center zone.

2. 02

   Minor CUP versus CUP: under 20.408.030 the Director decides a minor CUP without a hearing, after mailing notice to owners within 300 feet at least 10 calendar days before the decision, and the decision takes effect 10 days later. A full CUP goes to a Planning Commission hearing; the City's CUP page says completeness is confirmed within 30 days and appeals are due within 10 days. A daycare in a C-N center is the shorter path; an overnight kennel outside C-G or C-M is not available at all.

3. 03

   Parking (Table 20.08.040.D): veterinary clinics are 5.5 spaces per 1,000 sq ft, grooming 1 per 250 sq ft, and daycares and commercial kennels 1 per employee plus 1 per 10 animals, against 1 per 200 sq ft for general retail. A 3,000 sq ft clinic needs 17 spaces (16.5 rounds up under 20.08.040.B.3) where retail needed 15, and 20.08.040.B.1 requires the extra stalls when the use category changes.

4. 04

   State and county licensing: a clinic needs a California Veterinary Medical Board Veterinary Premises Registration (initial application through BreEZe, with a managing licensee associated to the premises). OC Animal Care requires an Animal Facility Business License, with routine inspections, for commercial kennels, grooming parlors, mobile groomers and pet shops. Brea's website sends animal services to OC Animal Care, but confirm with OC Animal Care that the license applies to your Brea address.

5. 05

   Suite size benchmarks from the landlords' rosters: Banfield at Brea Marketplace uses 3,327 sq ft and Aloha Veterinary Hospital at Brea Gateway 2,584 sq ft. Brea Marketplace also showed a 2,918 sq ft suite (03A) marketed as medical space on September 24, 2026; a vet looking at it would need a CUP if the center is zoned C-N or C-C, so check the zone first.

6. 06

   Zoning check before touring: the uses above turn on the exact zone, and PetSmart's PetsHotel at Brea Union Plaza does not by itself show that overnight boarding is allowed in a neighboring suite. Ask the Planning Division (714-990-7674) for the parcel's zone and use the City's free Screen Check meeting before you sign.