Dog Grooming Permit Requirements in Minneapolis, MN

Complete permit and license guide for starting a dog grooming in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Verified 2026-09-03 8 stops $500–$3,500 est. 3–6 weeks to obtain all permits and pass inspections
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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 operating as a business entity or if you have employees. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

  2. General Liability & Pet Care Insurance

    While not federally mandated, dog grooming businesses should carry general liability insurance and pet bailee/care, custody, and control (CCC) insurance to cover injuries, escapes, or accidental deaths of animals in your care. Most landlords and all professional grooming standards bodies recommend at least $1 million in coverage.

    $500–$2,500/year depending on business sizeObtained before opening

State of Minnesota

3 stops

  1. Minnesota Business Entity Registration (Secretary of State) — No State Pet Groomer License

    Minnesota has no state pet groomer licence; local business licensing and zoning rules apply instead. Register the grooming business with the Minnesota Secretary of State — the Board of Animal Health regulates animal disease and health, not business formation. An LLC is recommended for liability protection when handling animals, and a sole proprietor using a trade name files a Certificate of Assumed Name and publishes it in a qualified legal newspaper.

    Official government source

    LLC Articles of Organization: $155 filed online or in person, $135 by mail. Certificate of Assumed Name: $50 online or in person, $30 by mail. Annual renewal is free.Immediate when filed online or in person; roughly 4-7 business days by mail

  2. Minnesota — Sales Tax Registration

    Dog grooming services are subject to sales tax in Minnesota (Minnesota Department of Revenue explicitly lists pet grooming as taxable). The state sales tax rate is 6.875% state + applicable local rate. Register with the Minnesota Department of Revenue (free, via e-Services) to collect and remit tax.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate to 1 week (online)

  3. Minnesota — Pet Groomer Continuing Education (Voluntary Certification)

    Minnesota does not license pet groomers at the state level, but professional certification improves credibility and may be required by some pet care chains or franchise agreements. Recognized certifications include: National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA), International Professional Groomers (IPG), and Certification Council for Professional Dog Groomers (CCPG).

    Official government source

    $150–$1,000 (exam and portfolio review)3–12 months (training and portfolio required)

City of Minneapolis / Hennepin County

3 stops

  1. Minneapolis Commercial Animal Care Provider (Pet Shop) License

    Minneapolis does not have a general business or occupational license, and Hennepin County does not issue city business licenses. But dog grooming is a licensed category: the City's Commercial Animal Care Provider (Pet Shop) license covers businesses that groom or otherwise care for animals, including mobile pet care provided from a vehicle (no sales may be made from the vehicle). Pet shops may not sell dogs, cats or rabbits. The license is issued by Business Licenses & Consumer Services (612-673-2080).

    Official government source

    $173 a year plus a $110 pet shop inspection fee, per the City of Minneapolis License Fee ScheduleAnnual renewal; mobile pet care vehicles must carry $100,000/$300,000 liability and $10,000 property damage insurance

  2. Minneapolis Zoning Approval (dog grooming location)

    Dog grooming businesses in Minneapolis must verify the property is zoned for retail or personal services with Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) - not Hennepin County, which does not handle zoning inside Minneapolis city limits. Grooming also requires the City's Commercial Animal Care Provider (Pet Shop) license: the City defines a pet shop as a business that grooms or otherwise cares for animals, and a pet shop may not sell dogs, cats or rabbits.

    Official government source

    Zoning verification: no published fee - contact CPED. Commercial Animal Care Provider (Pet Shop) license: $173 a year plus a $110 inspection feeConfirm zoning before signing a lease; the pet shop license renews annually

  3. Minneapolis Pet Shop / Commercial Animal Care Provider License (covers grooming)

    Minneapolis licenses grooming businesses under its pet shop / commercial animal care provider license — the city defines that licensee as a business that grooms and provides other animal care (it may not sell dogs, cats or rabbits). Grooming from a vehicle needs the license too, as a mobile pet care vehicle, which must carry $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate liability plus $10,000 property damage insurance and may make no sales from the vehicle. The license carries a city inspection, which is where sanitation, ventilation, waste disposal and drainage are reviewed.

    Official government source

    $173 per year for the Commercial Animal Care Provider (Pet Shop) license plus $110 for pet shop inspections; a Mobile Pet Care Vehicle is $210 per year (2026 Minneapolis License Fee Schedule)Annual license; the application goes to Business Licenses & Consumer Services, which schedules the inspection before the license is issued

Terminus

Open for business — est. $500–$3,500 · 3–6 weeks to obtain all permits and pass inspections

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