How Zoning and Permitting Research Can Save Your Animal Care Project

Hannah Skidmore, MBA
6 hours ago
4 min read

If you’ve ever watched a great project stall before it even breaks ground, there’s a good chance zoning or permitting was the culprit. One of the most common (and most expensive) mistakes in construction is assuming approvals will be straightforward. In reality, zoning and permitting aren’t “paperwork.” They’re the rulebook that determines what can be built, where it can go, how it must function, and how long everything will take.

Animal care building projects that “win” aren’t the ones that move fastest at the start - they’re the ones that research early and avoid the redesigns, delays, and surprise costs that show up later in the construction process.

Planning and Zoning for Animal Care Buildings

Zoning is the foundation. Before design begins (and definitely before anyone prices construction), you need to know what the site legally allows. This is where the engineers at Design Learned can help by identifying the property’s current zoning classification. These classifications and designations shape facility options and note possible limitations for the building’s use.

Start thinking about what the project may need. Again, this is where it helps to work with building engineers and animal care consultants. Does this project require a…

Special use permit (often public-facing and time-intensive)?
Variance (possible, but not guaranteed)?
Rezoning (higher risk, longer timeline, and more visibility)?

Each route comes with different timelines, monetary investments, political realities, and approval risks. Having this information at the beginning and knowing which one you’re on early helps you plan the project like a professional, not a gambler.

Timelines Matter More Than People Expect

Some zoning actions can be handled administratively. Others require months of review, multiple hearings, and a trip to a Planning & Zoning (P&Z) board. Hearings and board meetings often introduce public input - and public input can quickly reshape schedules.

If you know your building project is heading into that territory, Design Learned’s team of building experts can help you build a realistic timeline and a communication strategy instead of crossing your fingers.

Your Neighbors Have a Vote (Even If It’s Informal)

The surrounding properties aren’t background scenery! They are part of the risk profile. Adjacent neighborhoods, schools, or sensitive land uses can heavily influence approval outcomes.

Projects that increase traffic, noise, lighting, or “unusual” site activity often draw attention. But here’s the good news: when we anticipate concerns and address them proactively in design, projects typically face less resistance than projects that react after opposition forms.

Zoning Submittals Can Drive Design Cost

Not every jurisdiction accepts the same level of documentation. Some will review a conceptual plan. Others require detailed site plans, elevations, and operational narratives before they’ll even engage. These are all documents that engineers and designers provide to you.

Zoning Requirements Shape the Actual Building

Zoning and site constraints directly influence what you can draw on paper, including:

Parking minimums
Setbacks and easements
Height limits
Impervious coverage allowances
Floodplain restrictions
Stormwater requirements
Noise limitations
Number of buildings allowed on site

If you try to ignore these early, the “perfect” design often becomes a late-stage redesign. And, that is right when changes are most expensive!

Then Comes Permitting for Animal Care Facilities

Once zoning is aligned, permitting becomes the next hurdle. Keep in mind, it’s rarely as simple as “submit and wait.”

The smartest move is to identify all required permits as early in design as possible. You can often schedule informal meetings with the building department to discuss your project and any questions you have. Depending on the project, that may include:

Building permits
Grading permits
Utility approvals
Use-specific or specialty permits

Permitting Is Often Sequential, Not Parallel

Many jurisdictions don’t allow everything to move forward at once. One permit may need approval before the next review can even begin. If you plan as though everything happens concurrently, your schedule will drift - fast.

Other Agencies Can Add Hidden Time

Some projects require approvals beyond the building department, such as health department sign-offs or environmental reviews. Those agencies often have their own criteria, submittal formats, and review timelines, which can add complexity if they aren’t anticipated early.

Build Resubmissions Into the Schedule

Even “simple” projects often involve at least one or two rounds of comments and resubmissions. Treating that as normal (rather than exceptional) helps set realistic construction start dates and avoid avoidable disappointment.

Permit Fees Should Never Be a Surprise

Permitting costs can be substantial and may be tied to square footage, valuation, or occupancy type. Budgeting for fees early supports better financial planning and prevents last-minute sticker shock.

Zoning and Permitting are Design Drivers for Animal Care Buildings

The zoning and permitting board doesn’t just approve your project - they shape it.

That is why the animal care building experts at Design Learned research early, align project expectations, protect the schedule, and design for real constraints from the start. Our intentional focus on engineering and design is part of the Design Learned Advantage. And, it pays off with smoother approvals, fewer surprises, and a project that moves forward with confidence.