Pet Sitting Business Permit Requirements in Denver, CO

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

   Colorado has no statewide pet sitter licensing programme, and in-home sitting where you visit clients' homes is not licensed. The Colorado Department of Agriculture licenses pet animal facilities under the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (C.R.S. Title 35, Article 80): a PACFA Boarding/Training Facility license is required if you house more than three pet animals at a time in addition to your 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.

   $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 (if selling products)

   If you sell pet products in addition to pet sitting, you need a Colorado Sales Tax License from the Department of Revenue. Services are not subject to sales tax in Colorado, so pet sitting and dog walking themselves are not taxable. The state license covers state and state-collected local taxes only; home-rule cities license and collect separately.

   Official government source

   $16 for the two-year 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 account. The deposit is returned automatically once you have remitted $50 in state sales tax.·Immediate when filed online through MyBizColorado or Revenue Online

   $16 for the two-year 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 account. The deposit is returned automatically once you have remitted $50 in state sales tax.

   Immediate when filed online through MyBizColorado or Revenue Online

1. Denver — No General Business License Required

   Denver does not issue a general or blanket business license. Its Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (formerly the Department of Excise and Licenses) publishes a License Directory of exactly 68 category-specific licenses (body art establishment, massage business, retail food, kennel, short-term rental, alarm business and similar). Pet sitting is not among them, so no Denver business license applies. Pet sitters who board more than three animals at a time for pay need a state PACFA license from the Colorado Department of Agriculture instead.

   Official government source

   $0 — no Denver business license exists for pet sitting·Not applicable

   $0 — no Denver business license exists for pet sitting

   Not applicable

2. Denver Zoning — Home Occupation Review (if boarding from home)

   Boarding clients' pets at your Denver home is regulated in two places. Denver Community Planning and Development reviews home-based businesses under the home occupation (accessory use) provisions of Article 11 of the Denver Zoning Code, which limit business activity and the number of animals kept in residential zones. Separately, Colorado law requires a state PACFA license from the Colorado Department of Agriculture once you board more than three pet animals at a time for compensation.

   Official government source

   Denver zoning review fees depend on the type of review; CPD quotes the amount through its e-permits system·Confirm zoning before you take bookings; CPD reviews are handled through e-permits

   Denver zoning review fees depend on the type of review; CPD quotes the amount through its e-permits system

   Confirm zoning before you take bookings; CPD reviews are handled through e-permits

3. Denver Kennel License (Commercial Pet Boarding)

   Boarding pet animals for compensation in Denver — including animal day care — requires a kennel license from Denver's Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. The same license covers the pet shop, pet hospital and pet grooming categories, and a separate application fee is charged each time you add a category later. The license requires a zoning use permit, a state PACFA license from the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and inspections by Zoning, Building, Fire and Denver Animal Protection. Mobile pet grooming is not licensed by Denver; check the state PACFA program instead. An in-home pet sitter who cares for animals at the client's residence is not operating a kennel.

   Official government source

   $100 application fee plus $100 per license category ($200 for a new kennel-only license). Renewal is $100 per category, due annually.·DLCP aims to complete its initial review of a complete application within seven business days, after which inspections are scheduled; allow several weeks overall

   $100 application fee plus $100 per license category ($200 for a new kennel-only license). Renewal is $100 per category, due annually.

   DLCP aims to complete its initial review of a complete application within seven business days, after which inspections are scheduled; allow several weeks overall

Official Sources

• Denver — Business Licensing
• Denver Animal Shelter

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