Pet Sitting Service Permit Requirements in Yonkers, NY

Complete permit and license guide for starting a pet sitting service in Yonkers, Westchester County, New York.

Verified 2026-08-27 6 stops $100–$600 est. 1–3 weeks for in-home visiting pet sitting; up to 6 weeks if boarding from a home or commercial facility
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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)

    Free from the IRS — apply online and receive your EIN immediately upon approval; the IRS never charges for an EIN (avoid third-party sites that do). Federally required if you hire employees or operate as a corporation or partnership (including a multi-member LLC); a single-member LLC with no employees and no excise-tax liability may use the owner's SSN instead, though most banks ask for an EIN to open a business bank account.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

  2. Business Insurance (recommended — not a government requirement)

    No federal license, permit, or insurance mandate applies to pet sitting. General liability plus pet care, custody, and control (CCC) coverage is strongly recommended by professional associations and often expected by clients, but it is a private insurance purchase, not a legal requirement. Premiums vary widely by coverage and business size — get quotes from insurers or association programs such as Pet Sitters International or NAPPS.

    Official government source

    Varies by insurer and coverage (no government fee)Obtained before accepting clients

State of New York

2 stops

  1. New York — Pet Sitting License Requirements

    New York does not require a state license for pet sitting or dog walking. Commercial boarding kennels may be subject to local health department regulations. New York Agriculture and Markets Law Article 26-A governs pet DEALERS but generally does not apply to individual in-home pet sitters in Yonkers.

    Official government source

    No fee for in-home sitters (commercial kennel licenses vary)N/A for individual in-home sitters

  2. New York Department of Taxation and Finance — Certificate of Authority

    Pet sitting, dog walking, grooming, and boarding services are subject to New York State and local sales tax — the Tax Department treats pets as tangible personal property, and maintaining or servicing them is a taxable service (see TSB-A-00(35)S). Register for a free Certificate of Authority with the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance before making taxable sales and collect the combined rate (8.875% total in Yonkers, including the 0.375% MCTD surcharge). Sales of pet products are also taxable.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

City of Yonkers / Westchester County

2 stops

  1. No Yonkers business license required for pet sitting

    Yonkers licenses only specific business types (through its Consumer Affairs Bureau and City Clerk), and pet sitting/dog walking is not one of them — no city business license or occupational tax certificate is required. Westchester County licenses only specific trades (e.g., home improvement contractors), not pet sitting. Sole proprietors using a trade name file a business certificate with the Westchester County Clerk. Home-based operations must comply with Yonkers zoning.

    Official government source

    $0 — no Yonkers license exists for this business type1–3 weeks

  2. Yonkers / Westchester County — Animal Care Facility Permit (if boarding)

    No City of Yonkers or Westchester County pet boarding permit was found on official sources. Commercial-scale boarding in Yonkers is instead governed by zoning use rules for the property; NYS Agriculture and Markets pet dealer licensing applies only if you sell animals above statutory thresholds. Confirm your specific use with Yonkers Consumer Affairs and the Building Department before operating.

    Verify with the City of Yonkers (Consumer Affairs, 914-377-6808) — no boarding permit or fee found on official city/county sources1–4 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $100–$600 · 1–3 weeks for in-home visiting pet sitting; up to 6 weeks if boarding from a home or commercial facility

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