Pet Sitting Business Permit Requirements in San Diego, CA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

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 fee·N/A

   No state fee

   N/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

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. City of San Diego Business Tax Certificate

   All businesses operating in the City of San Diego must obtain a Business Tax Certificate from the Office of the City Treasurer. It is a tax registration, not a regulatory license. The fee is based on employee count only: $34/year for businesses with 12 or fewer employees, or $125/year plus $5 per employee for 13 or more employees. Every application and renewal adds a $4 state-mandated SB-1186 fee, and beginning July 1, 2025 an annual Minimum Wage Enforcement Fee of $1.47 per employee also applies. Renewed annually.

   Official government source

   $38/year for most small businesses ($34 business tax + $4 SB-1186 fee; 12 or fewer employees); $129/year + $5 and $1.47 per employee for 13+ employees·1–2 weeks

   $38/year for most small businesses ($34 business tax + $4 SB-1186 fee; 12 or fewer employees); $129/year + $5 and $1.47 per employee for 13+ employees

   1–2 weeks

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

   Under San Diego County Code, a 'kennel' is any premises where seven or more dogs four months of age or older are kept - a threshold that matters if you board dogs overnight at your home in the unincorporated county (kennel licensing runs through the County Department of Animal Services, and county zoning approval is also required). Inside the City of San Diego, animal services are handled by the San Diego Humane Society and city zoning restricts the number of dogs kept at a residence, so home boarding at kennel scale is generally not permitted - check with San Diego Development Services before offering overnight boarding. In-home visiting pet sitters and dog walkers need no kennel license anywhere in the county.

   Official government source

   Varies by jurisdiction - contact County Animal Services (unincorporated areas) or San Diego Development Services (city zoning) before boarding at scale·3–6 weeks (requires inspection)

   Varies by jurisdiction - contact County Animal Services (unincorporated areas) or San Diego Development Services (city zoning) before boarding at scale

   3–6 weeks (requires inspection)

3. San Diego Zoning — Home-Based Boarding Limits (SDMC 141.0308)

   San Diego does not issue home occupation permits - home businesses are allowed by right only if they meet the standards of SDMC 141.0308 (no customer visits, no exterior evidence of the business, limits on outdoor activity). Boarding multiple clients' pets at a residence typically exceeds those standards and city limits on the number of dogs kept at a home, so it generally cannot be operated as a by-right home occupation. Visiting pet-sitting and dog-walking (service performed at the client's home) complies easily. If you want on-site boarding, discuss a Neighborhood Use Permit and zoning limits with Development Services (619-446-5000) first.

   Official government source

   $0 for a compliant visiting-pet-sitter home business; Neighborhood Use Permit fees apply if you seek approval beyond home-occupation standards (contact DSD for current fees)·2–4 weeks

   $0 for a compliant visiting-pet-sitter home business; Neighborhood Use Permit fees apply if you seek approval beyond home-occupation standards (contact DSD for current fees)

   2–4 weeks

Official Sources

• San Diego County Department of Animal Services
• City of San Diego — Business Tax

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