Howard County BZA approves home-based dog grooming salon in agricultural zone

Tracy Reese won approval from the Howard County Board of Zoning Appeals to operate a home-based dog grooming business in an agricultural district.

Reese told the board she plans to use an existing barn on her father’s property for a small grooming operation called High Tales by Tracy, with hours roughly 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and the last appointment by 5:00 p.m. She said one to two cars would be on site at a time and that the business would handle about five to six vehicles per day. Reese said the building requires only cosmetic changes and that the operation would meet the zoning ordinance’s setback and development standards.

Staff recommended approval, telling the board the proposed salon would not be injurious to public health, safety or general welfare, that the structure meets front and side setback requirements, and that no permanent expansion is planned. Staff also said the proposal is consistent with the Howard County comprehensive plan.

Board members asked no substantive questions and moved to approve the special exception. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

"The granting of the exception will not subvert the general purposes served by this zoning ordinance," staff told the board during findings read into the record. Reese thanked the board after the decision.

The approval allows Reese to operate the grooming business from the existing structure; any subsequent modifications beyond cosmetic interior work would be subject to applicable permitting and codes.