Planning commission approves allowing dog grooming as a home occupation, limits work to four dogs

The Carolina Beach Planning and Zoning Commission on July 9 voted to amend the town’s Unified Development Ordinance to allow dog grooming as a home occupation, setting a limit of four animals at a time and requiring that grooming occur in a completely enclosed indoor area.

Staff presented the proposed change, noting existing home-occupation rules that limit dedicated floor area to 25 percent, allow one non-family employee, require off-street parking for customers and prohibit equipment that generates excessive noise or vibration. Staff (introduced in the meeting as Miss Abbotts) said the Technical Review Committee supported the amendment and reminded the applicant that building, fire and ADA requirements may apply for customer access or renovations.

Applicant Zoe Brass, who said she owns Island Dog Grooming and proposed relocating her business to 100 Moorefield Drive, described a staggered appointment workflow to limit overlap and noise: “They would get a text about 10 to 15 minutes before their dog is finished and then the dog leaves and the next one comes in,” she said, adding that she expects to keep the grooming area under 25 percent of the home’s floor area and to avoid major plumbing changes.

Commissioners asked how ADA accessibility and parking would be handled if customers come to the home; staff said a parking space and an accessible path may be required and that building-code review would determine whether a ramp or other improvements are necessary. The commission also discussed whether mobile grooming trailers would be covered; staff said those operations generally would be treated separately because they are not located inside a primary dwelling.

During discussion the commission considered the number-of-animals limit. Staff explained the original two-animal recommendation was linked to the existing allowance for one non-family employee, but commissioners proposed and supported raising that to four animals to reflect operational realities and reduce vehicle trips. A motion to approve amending Articles 3 and 7 to allow dog grooming as a home occupation with a four-animal limit was made and seconded; the commission approved the motion and adopted a consistency statement under NCGS.

The ordinance language adopted by the commission specifies indoor-only grooming, a cap of four animals per appointment, no overnight boarding and compliance with building, fire and accessibility requirements that may apply if customers visit the home. The commission’s approval will be reflected in minutes and the matter will proceed per the town’s legislative workflow.

The change updates a gap staff said has existed in the home-occupation language since earlier code revisions; staff reported that neighboring towns use similar language and that the TRC had no objection to adoption.