Pet Sitting Business Permit Requirements in San Diego, CA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a pet sitting business in San Diego, San Diego County, California.

Updated 2026-02-15 6 stops $75–$700 est. 1–3 weeks for in-home visiting pet sitting; 4–8 weeks if boarding 7+ pets at your home (kennel license required)
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of California

2 stops

  1. California — No State Pet Sitter License

    California does not require a state-level license for pet sitting services. Kennel licensing is handled at the city/county level. In-home pet sitters who visit clients' homes are lightly regulated.

    Official government source

    No state feeN/A

  2. California Seller's Permit (if selling pet products)

    If you sell pet products, you need a California Seller's Permit from CDTFA. Pet sitting services are generally not subject to California sales tax.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

City of San Diego / San Diego County

3 stops

  1. City of San Diego Business Tax Certificate

    All businesses operating in San Diego, including pet sitting businesses, must obtain a Business Tax Certificate from the City of San Diego City Treasurer. Renewed annually.

    Official government source

    $50–$300/year1–2 weeks

  2. San Diego County Animal Services — Kennel License (for boarding 7+ animals)

    San Diego defines a 'kennel' as any location where 7 or more dogs, cats, or similar small animals are kept. If you board 7 or more clients' pets at your home at one time, a kennel license from San Diego County Animal Services is required. For smaller-scale boarding (under 7 animals), no kennel license is needed. In-home visiting pet sitters do not need this license.

    Official government source

    $100–$400/year3–6 weeks (requires inspection)

  3. San Diego Zoning — Home Occupation (if boarding from home)

    Operating a pet boarding business from your San Diego home may require a Home Occupation permit from San Diego Development Services. Boarding multiple animals may exceed home occupation limits in residential zones.

    Official government source

    $100–$3002–4 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $75–$700 · 1–3 weeks for in-home visiting pet sitting; 4–8 weeks if boarding 7+ pets at your home (kennel license required)

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Official Sources

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