Pet Service Space in Laguna Niguel

What to diligence before LOI

1. 01

   Grooming: Table 4.1 in Section 9-1-42 lists "Pet grooming, without overnight boarding" as a minor use permit in CN, CC, BP and MU-TC and prohibited in CO and PI. Title 10 also requires an animal facility license for every grooming facility (Section 10-2-309), issued by the City of Mission Viejo Animal Services Director under contract (Section 10-1-5 definitions). The license runs one year (Section 10-2-302), an animal control officer inspects before approval (Section 10-2-311), and each grooming parlor needs its own permit even under common ownership.

2. 02

   Veterinary: Table 4.1 lists veterinary clinics and animal hospitals without pet boarding as a minor use permit in CN, CC, CO, BP and MU-TC. With indoor-only boarding they need a full use permit in CC, CO, BP and MU-TC and are prohibited in CN. Table 6.5 (Section 9-1-66) parks animal hospitals at 1 space per 200 sq ft, not counting overnight boarding areas. The California Veterinary Medical Board registers each premises through BreEZe with a California-licensed veterinarian named as Licensee Manager, who answers for Business and Professions Code Sections 4853 to 4856 and the minimum standards in 16 CCR 2030 to 2032.5.

3. 03

   Daycare and boarding: Section 9-1-141 defines a kennel as any property keeping four or more dogs or cats over four months old for any purpose except veterinary care, and Title 10 (Section 10-1-12 definitions) says a kennel includes dogs or cats kept for daycare. Table 4.1 allows kennels only with a use permit in the BP and PI districts and prohibits them in CN, CC, CO and MU-TC, so a dog daycare will not fit in a Crown Valley or Alicia Parkway shopping center. Table 6.5 has no kennel ratio, so the Community Development Director sets parking under Section 9-1-66(d).

4. 04

   Pet stores: a supply store is a retail store under Table 4.1 (permitted in CN, CC and MU-TC under 30,000 sq ft), but any business that keeps animals for sale also needs a Title 10 pet shop license, and Section 10-2-418 bars pet shops from selling dogs, cats or rabbits except shelter or rescue animals offered for adoption with no fee to the store.

5. 05

   Noise and waste: Section 9-1-42(c) requires listed uses to operate within a completely enclosed building, Section 6-6-5 limits noise measured on residential property to 55 dB(A) from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 50 dB(A) overnight (5 dB(A) lower for impact noise), and Section 9-1-45.21(9) requires waste that attracts rodents or insects to be stored outdoors only in closed containers. Budget for sound insulation on shared demising walls and a sealed waste area before you sign.

6. 06

   The Center at Rancho Niguel: its directory already lists Banfield, Rancho Niguel Animal Hospital and a groomer, plus a 2,000 SF vacancy at 28221 Crown Valley Parkway, Suite C, in Banfield's building. Ask the landlord for the veterinary and grooming exclusives before you tour, and ask Laguna Niguel Plaza's owner, First Washington, the same question about Alicia Pacific Veterinary.