Dog Grooming Salon Permit Requirements in Paterson, NJ

Complete permit and license guide for starting a dog grooming salon in Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey.

Verified 2026-08-31 6 stops $200–$800 est. 2–5 weeks to obtain all permits
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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 New Jersey

2 stops

  1. New Jersey Division of Taxation — Sales Tax Certificate of Authority

    Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in New Jersey. New Jersey charges a 6.625% state sales tax. Most services are exempt; retail product sales and certain services are taxable. Register free online via the State of New Jersey Business Registration portal.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate to 3 business days (online)

  2. New Jersey does not require a state dog groomer license

    New Jersey does not license dog groomers as such - the Division of Consumer Affairs licence type list contains no groomer credential - and certification from the National Dog Groomers Association of America or International Professional Groomers is voluntary. There is a real New Jersey licence to watch for, though: if you apply pesticides for hire, which includes flea and tick treatments, the DEP Bureau of Pesticide Control names pet groomers as commercial applicators. That means Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification in Category 8F, Pet Grooming, plus a separate Pesticide Applicator Business License for the shop. Local health departments also license animal care and grooming facilities in many New Jersey municipalities, so check with your town before you open.

    Official government source

    No State fee for grooming itself. Voluntary certification fees are set by each grooming association, so check its current schedule. If you apply flea or tick pesticides, budget $135 per DEP certification exam through Rutgers PACER, an $80 annual Commercial Pesticide Applicator licence and a $150 annual Pesticide Applicator Business License.You can groom immediately once any local facility licence is in place; pesticide certification takes as long as the training course, exams and DEP invoicing require

City of Paterson / Passaic County

3 stops

  1. City of Paterson Health & Human Services — Mercantile License

    Paterson city ordinance requires businesses operating in the city to register and obtain a Mercantile License, administered by the Mercantile Licensing division of the Department of Health & Human Services. A mercantile inspector visits the business as part of the process, which the city describes as a consumer-protection function that also provides technical assistance to businesses. Note that Paterson has no 'Department of Business Administration' — the city's departments are Administration, Community Development, Economic Development, Finance, Health & Human Services, Legal, Municipal Court, Public Safety and Public Works. Businesses in regulated industries need additional permits from the relevant division, such as retail food licensing from the Division of Health or construction permits from UCC Construction/Buildings.

    Official government source

    Paterson does not publish a Mercantile License fee schedule online; the fee is set by city ordinance and varies with the type of business. Contact Mercantile Licensing through City Hall at 973-321-1600 for the amount that applies to you.Paterson's permitting and licensing system is being moved online. Apply through Mercantile Licensing and allow time for the mercantile inspection before you open.

  2. City of Paterson — Kennel / Animal Facility License (if boarding)

    There is no 'Passaic County Animal Services' department — Passaic County's official department directory lists no such agency. In New Jersey, kennel, pet shop, shelter and pound licenses are issued by the municipality (through the local health authority), not the county. A grooming-only salon that does not board, breed or sell animals generally falls outside the kennel licensing category; if you also board animals overnight, apply to the City of Paterson. Confirm your specific situation with the City of Paterson Department of Health & Human Services.

    Unverified — confirm with the City of Paterson Department of Health & Human Services1–3 weeks

  3. City of Paterson UCC Construction/Buildings — Certificate of Occupancy

    A Certificate of Occupancy (or Continued Certificate of Occupancy for an existing building) is required for a commercial grooming salon and is issued by the City of Paterson's UCC Construction/Buildings division, which enforces the NJ Uniform Construction Code. Passaic County has no CO-issuing authority. The Division of Planning & Zoning must first confirm the space meets zoning requirements for a pet services use.

    Official government source

    Set by Paterson ordinance under the NJ Uniform Construction Code and dependent on scope of work; confirm with UCC Construction/Buildings2–4 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $200–$800 · 2–5 weeks to obtain all permits

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