Pet Sitting Business Permit Requirements in Providence, RI

Complete permit and license guide for starting a pet sitting business in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island.

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 Rhode Island

1 stop

  1. Rhode Island Division of Taxation — Sales Tax Permit

    Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Rhode Island. Rhode Island charges a 7% state sales tax with no local sales taxes. Register with the RI Division of Taxation online via the RI Tax Portal.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

City of Providence / Providence County

2 stops

  1. No Providence General Business License

    Providence does not require a general business license or a fee based on gross revenue. The city's Board of Licenses issues licenses only for specific regulated activities - liquor, entertainment, food establishment, body works, second-hand dealer and second-hand auto, motor vehicle repair, vendor, private detective, pawnbroker, valet, trash hauling and similar. Photography, tutoring and wedding planning are not licensed categories. Check the Board's online licensing portal to see whether your specific activity appears on the list.

    Official government source

    Not applicable - no general Providence business license exists. Fees for the specific regulated categories are set per license type in the Board of Licenses portal.Not applicable; applications for the specific licenses are scheduled for a hearing before the Board of License Commissioners.

  2. Rhode Island DEM - Kennel License

    Boarding animals for a fee makes a facility a 'kennel' under R.I. Gen. Laws 4-19-2(19), requiring a license from RI DEM's Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment (Animal Health Program). There is no 'Providence County Animal Services' - Rhode Island counties have no government. Sheltering, feeding and watering no more than four animals not owned by the proprietor in a residential setting is exempt from the state kennel license, but remains subject to DEM inspection on written complaint and to any stricter municipal ordinance. DEM issues a license only for premises designated by the city or town council.

    Official government source

    $50.00 for each license period or part of one, the license period being the state fiscal year (R.I. Gen. Laws 4-19-6). A city or town may separately issue and charge for its own kennel license.Not published by DEM; the license runs with the state fiscal year whenever it is issued.

Terminus

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

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