Pet Sitting Service Permit Requirements in Colorado Springs, CO

Complete permit and license guide for starting a pet sitting service in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado.

Verified 2026-09-03 6 stops $100–$600 est. 1–3 weeks for in-home visiting pet sitting; up to 6 weeks if boarding from a home or commercial facility
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

2 stops

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS. Also recommended if you plan to open a dedicated business bank account.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

  2. Pet Sitter / Pet Care Insurance

    While not federally required, pet sitting businesses should carry general liability insurance and pet care, custody, and control (CCC) insurance to cover injuries, escapes, or accidental deaths of animals in your care. Professional organizations like PSI (Pet Sitters International) and NAPPS offer member insurance programs. Most clients and professional standards bodies recommend at least $1 million in liability coverage.

    Official government source

    $200–$1,500/year depending on coverage and business sizeObtained before accepting clients

State of Colorado

2 stops

  1. Colorado — No State Pet Sitting License (PACFA applies to boarding)

    Colorado requires no state license for in-home pet sitting in Colorado Springs. Boarding is licensed by the state, not El Paso County: the Colorado Department of Agriculture issues a PACFA Boarding/Training Facility license under C.R.S. Title 35, Article 80 to anyone housing more than three pet animals at a time in addition to their own for compensation. Boarding three or fewer is exempt.

    Official government source

    $0 for in-home pet sitting. A PACFA Boarding/Training Facility license is $500 a year.Not applicable for in-home sitting; PACFA licensing takes up to 2-3 weeks including qualifying education and a pre-license inspection.

  2. Colorado Sales Tax License — Colorado Department of Revenue

    Services are not subject to sales tax in Colorado, so pet sitting and dog walking are not taxable. If you also sell pet products (food, leashes, accessories) those sales are taxable and you need a Colorado Sales Tax License. In Colorado Springs the applicable rate is 2.9% state plus 3.07% city, within a combined rate of 8.20% including El Paso County and PPRTA. Colorado Springs is a home-rule city and licenses and collects its city tax separately from the state.

    Official government source

    $16 for the two-year state license period when applying January–June of an even year, prorated to $12, $8 or $4 later in the cycle, plus a one-time refundable $50 deposit for a new accountImmediate when filed online through MyBizColorado or Revenue Online

City of Colorado Springs / El Paso County

2 stops

  1. Colorado Springs - No General Business License for Pet Sitting

    Colorado Springs does not have a general business or occupational license. The City Clerk's Office states that, apart from liquor/beer and marijuana licensing, only the business types it enumerates need a city business license: concrete contractor, escort, bicycle-share, funeral escort, massage business, mobile food vendor, pawnbroker, pedal-cab, security, sexually oriented business, tree service and excavation. Pet sitting, dog walking and in-home pet care are not on that list, so no city business license applies. A home-based pet sitter does need a Home Occupation Permit from the Development Review Enterprise, and should call the Sales Tax Division (719-385-5903) to confirm whether a city sales tax license is required.

    Official government source

    No city business license fee applies (most Colorado Springs business licenses, where required, are $110 annually). The Home Occupation Permit is a non-refundable $120 application fee with no renewal required.No city business license to wait for. The Home Occupation Permit is applied for through the city's online submittal system; the city does not publish a processing-time standard.

  2. Colorado PACFA Boarding/Training Facility License (state)

    Boarding pets in Colorado Springs is licensed by the state, not by city or county animal control. Under the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (C.R.S. Title 35, Article 80) the Colorado Department of Agriculture licenses any person or firm that cares for or houses more than three pet animals at a time (in addition to their own) for compensation, or that trains pet animals in the owner's absence. Boarding three or fewer animals is outside the definition. Licensing requires an application through the PACFA portal, a qualifying education course, and a pre-license inspection of the facility.

    Official government source

    $500 per year for the Boarding/Training Facility category; if you apply for two or more categories the fee is the highest-priced category plus $50 for each additional categoryThe Colorado Department of Agriculture states the full application and licensing process may take up to 2–3 weeks; be licensed before you start doing business

Terminus

Open for business — est. $100–$600 · 1–3 weeks for in-home visiting pet sitting; up to 6 weeks if boarding from a home or commercial facility

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