Pet Sitting Service Permit Requirements in Salem, OR

Complete permit and license guide for starting a pet sitting service in Salem, Marion County, Oregon.

Verified 2026-08-28 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)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS. Also recommended if you plan to open a dedicated business bank account.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

  2. Pet Sitter / Pet Care Insurance

    While not federally required, pet sitting businesses should carry general liability insurance and pet care, custody, and control (CCC) insurance to cover injuries, escapes, or accidental deaths of animals in your care. Professional organizations like PSI (Pet Sitters International) and NAPPS offer member insurance programs. Most clients and professional standards bodies recommend at least $1 million in liability coverage.

    Official government source

    $200–$1,500/year depending on coverage and business sizeObtained before accepting clients

State of Oregon

2 stops

  1. Oregon — Pet Sitting License Requirements

    Oregon does not require a state license for pet sitting. Commercial boarding kennels that board animals for profit must comply with local county or city regulations in Marion County. The Oregon Department of Agriculture regulates livestock and animal health but does not license individual pet sitters.

    Official government source

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

  2. Oregon — No Sales Tax

    Oregon has no state sales tax. Pet sitting and dog walking services are not subject to sales tax. Register your business entity with the Oregon Secretary of State for income tax purposes.

    Official government source

    Free (if registration needed)Immediate (online)

City of Salem / Marion County

2 stops

  1. No General Business License Required (Salem)

    The City of Salem does not require a general business license: only specific business types need a city license (e.g., vehicle-for-hire, street vendors/mobile food vendors, marijuana businesses, multifamily housing, alarm companies). Marion County likewise has no general business license. Register your business name with the Oregon Secretary of State; check Salem's 'Determine if You Need a Business License' page to see whether your specific activity is one of the licensed types.

    Official government source

    $0 - Salem has no general business license1–3 weeks

  2. Salem / Marion County — Animal Care Facility Permit (if boarding)

    Salem does not have a general business license, and no city pet-boarding license could be verified. If you board animals, contact Marion County Dog Services and Salem's Permit Application Center to confirm whether any kennel license or zoning approval applies at your scale, especially for boarding at a residence.

    Official government source

    Unverified; confirm with Marion County Dog Services and City of Salem1–4 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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