Pet Sitting Business Permit Requirements in Lewiston, ME

Complete permit and license guide for starting a pet sitting business in Lewiston, Androscoggin County, Maine.

Verified 2026-09-06 4 stops $100–$500 est. 1–4 weeks
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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 or corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Maine

1 stop

  1. Maine Revenue Services — Sales Tax Registration

    Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Maine. Maine charges a 5.5% state sales tax (food and lodging have different rates). Register with Maine Revenue Services online.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

City of Lewiston / Androscoggin County

2 stops

  1. City of Lewiston - Selective Business Licensing (City Clerk)

    Lewiston does not require a general business licence or registration, and licensing is run by the City Clerk's Department (207-513-3124), not the Finance Department. The Clerk licenses over 40 specific business types required by Maine statute or city ordinance - among them food service establishments, mobile units and roving diners, massage establishments and therapists, tattoo parlours, lodging houses, flea markets, pawnbrokers, peddlers, second-hand dealers, taxicab companies, junk collectors and adult businesses. Most other trades - cleaning, landscaping, handyman, photography, tutoring, pet sitting, notary, bookkeeping, real estate, insurance, plumbing, electrical and HVAC contracting - are not licensed by the City at all. Most licensed types require inspection by the Fire, Code (Health) or Police departments before issue.

    Official government source

    Fees are published per category in the City's Business License Applications Fees, Penalties and Inspection and Approval Schedule - for example food service establishment $150-$575 by class and size, mobile unit / roving diner $100, massage establishment $110 application plus $195 licence, tattooing $110 plus $195, second-hand dealer $88, peddler $56 in state. Most businesses pay nothing because they are not a licensed category.File the application at least seven days before you begin operating, and allow time for any required Fire, Code (Health) or Police inspection

  2. Maine Boarding Kennel License (DACF Animal Welfare Program)

    Pet sitting that involves keeping animals overnight at your own premises makes you a boarding kennel, licensed by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Animal Welfare Program. 'Androscoggin County Animal Services' does not exist - Maine counties have no animal services function - and boarding kennels are not on Lewiston's list of city-licensed business types. Applicants name a veterinarian of reference, state hours of operation for inspection, and pass a criminal background check. Pet sitting done only in the client's own home does not require this licence.

    Official government source

    $125 boarding kennel license fee plus a $25 criminal background check per ownerThe facility is inspected before the licence issues; apply to the Animal Welfare Program in Augusta before boarding animals

Terminus

Open for business — est. $100–$500 · 1–4 weeks

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