Mobile Dog Grooming Permit Requirements in Chicago, IL

Complete permit and license guide for starting a mobile dog grooming in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

Verified 2026-08-31 5 stops $300–$700 est. 2–4 weeks for all registrations and licenses
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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.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

State of Illinois

2 stops

  1. No Illinois State License for Pet Grooming

    Illinois does not license pet groomers. The Illinois Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare licenses and inspects pet shop operators, dog dealers, kennel operators, cat and dog breeders, animal control facilities, animal shelters, day care operators, guard dog services and horse rescues under the Animal Welfare Act -- grooming-only businesses are not on that list. If your operation also boards animals or offers doggy day care you would need the corresponding kennel or day care operator license. Professional grooming credentials such as NDGAA or IPG are voluntary. IDFPR's list of licensed professions likewise does not include pet groomers.

    Official government source

    No state fee for grooming (a kennel or day care operator license applies only if you board or provide day care)Not applicable

  2. Illinois Sales Tax Registration (Illinois Department of Revenue)

    Pet grooming service charges are generally not subject to Illinois sales tax, because Illinois taxes sales of tangible personal property rather than labor-only services. If you sell retail pet products (shampoos, accessories) separately, register with the Illinois Department of Revenue through MyTax Illinois to collect Retailers' Occupation Tax on those items. The combined rate in Chicago is 10.50%, effective August 1, 2026.

    Official government source

    Free (no IDOR registration fee)About 1-2 business days for a registration submitted online through MyTax Illinois; four to six weeks for a mailed paper Form REG-1

City of Chicago / Cook County

2 stops

  1. Chicago Dept of Business Affairs — Animal Care Facility License

    Chicago requires a City of Chicago Animal Care Facility License for businesses that groom, board, breed, train, or provide day care for dogs/cats, administered by BACP with a premises inspection by Chicago Animal Care and Control. Mobile dog groomers should contact BACP (312-74-GOBIZ) to confirm whether a license is required given the premises-inspection and zoning-approval steps built into the standard process, which assumes a fixed business location.

    Official government source

    $275 for a 2-year license2–4 weeks

  2. Chicago Animal Care License (BACP)

    Dog grooming in Chicago requires a BACP Animal Care License — an animal care facility is any business that grooms, boards, breeds, trains, lets for hire, or provides day care for dogs or cats. Chicago's Mobile Licenses (peddler, mobile merchant, food truck) cover only the mobile sale of goods and food and do not apply to grooming. The application requires zoning approval, a City debt check with all City debt resolved, and an inspection of the premises by Chicago Animal Care and Control; an interior layout of any premises used for grooming or boarding may be required for zoning review. Apply in person or online through Chicago Business Direct.

    Official government source

    $275 Animal Care License feeDriven by zoning review and the required Chicago Animal Care and Control inspection; BACP publishes no standard processing time

Terminus

Open for business — est. $300–$700 · 2–4 weeks for all registrations and licenses

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