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Board approves special exception for dog boarding in Catoctin district amid neighbor concerns
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved a special-exception use for a dog boarding kennel (Dog Home Away From Home) on a parcel in the Catoctin district, 9–0, after staff said the application included conditions addressing wastewater and animal waste disposal.
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously (9–0) Oct. 21 to approve a special-exception application allowing a dog boarding facility called Dog Home Away From Home in the Catoctin Election District.
Supervisor Caleb Kirschner, who moved the motion, told the board he visited the site and observed an operation that appeared to be run quietly and professionally. The applicants proffered a limit on the total number of animals and conditions regulating hours of operation, animal care, and waste handling. Staff noted conditions stating that animal bathing water and any wastewater or animal waste would not be permitted to discharge to on-site channels, streams or ponds and that animal waste must be disposed of properly.
During public comment, a resident raised concerns about septic capacity, untreated wastewater, and potential wetlands impacts, saying required septic characterization and state health letters had not been submitted. Staff replied that the county's approval included conditions and that violations of conditions may be reported to zoning enforcement. The board directed staff to enforce conditions if complaints arise.
Why it matters
Approvals of rural commercial uses such as kennels often raise questions about septic, wastewater handling and runoff in watershed-protected areas; the board relied on site-specific conditions and zoning enforcement as the mechanism to address compliance.
Actions and outcome
Motion: Approve ZMAP/ZMOD/SPEX application (Dog Home Away From Home) subject to staff conditions dated 08/04/2025 and findings in the staff report. Vote: 9–0 approved.
Next steps
Zoning enforcement will monitor compliance if neighbors report problems; the applicant is expected to follow the conditions, including proper disposal of animal waste and wastewater treatment measures.
