Pet Sitting Business Permit Requirements in Miami, FL

Complete permit and license guide for starting a pet sitting business in Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Verified 2026-08-28 5 stops $100–$800 est. 1–3 weeks for in-home visiting pet sitting; 4–8 weeks for pet boarding facility (state license required)
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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

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 Florida

2 stops

  1. Florida - No State Pet Boarding Facility License (boarding regulated locally)

    Florida has no state-level license for pet boarding facilities, kennels, or pet care centers - FDACS issues no such license. Boarding/kennel businesses are regulated locally (county/municipal animal ordinances, zoning, and local business tax receipts; e.g., Miami-Dade County kennel/pet-care rules). In-home pet sitters who only visit clients' homes need no state license.

    Official government source

    No state fee (local requirements vary)Varies by county/city for local permits; no state process

  2. Florida — No State Pet Sitter License (visiting only)

    Florida does not require any state license for pet sitters who visit clients' homes - neither FDACS nor DBPR licenses pet sitting. Boarding/kennel facilities are regulated locally (county/municipal ordinances and zoning), not by FDACS. Pet sitting services are not subject to Florida sales tax. A Miami-Dade local business tax receipt may be required.

    Official government source

    No feeN/A

City of Miami / Miami-Dade County

2 stops

  1. City of Miami Business Tax Receipt (BTR)

    Pet sitting businesses operating within City of Miami limits — including in-home visiting sitters and dog walkers — must obtain a Business Tax Receipt, renewed annually, plus a Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt. Home-based sitters apply for an Accessory Use via MiamiBiz rather than a full Certificate of Use.

    Official government source

    Varies by business classification under the City of Miami fee schedule; no citywide fee range is published on the official BTR page — confirm with the City of Miami at (305) 416-20871–3 weeks

  2. Pet boarding — no state license; local rules apply

    Florida has no state license for pet sitting, dog walking, or commercial pet boarding — neither FDACS nor DBPR licenses animal-care facilities. If you board pets in Miami, requirements are local: county and city business tax receipts, zoning/Certificate-of-Use (or Accessory Use limits for home-based operations), and Miami-Dade Animal Services' county animal ordinances (Chapter 5). Confirm boarding-specific rules with Miami-Dade Animal Services at 305-884-1101.

    Official government source

    No state boarding license exists; local business tax receipts and any zoning approvals apply — confirm specifics with Miami-Dade Animal Services (305-884-1101)3–6 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $100–$800 · 1–3 weeks for in-home visiting pet sitting; 4–8 weeks for pet boarding facility (state license required)

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Official Sources

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