Pet Sitting Business Permit Requirements in Virginia Beach, VA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Virginia — No State Pet Sitter License

   Virginia does not require a state license for pet sitting services. In-home pet sitters who visit clients' homes are lightly regulated. Commercial kennel operations may need to comply with local animal control regulations.

   Official government source

   No state fee·N/A

   No state fee

   N/A

2. Virginia State Corporation Commission — Business Registration

   LLCs, corporations, and partnerships must register with the Virginia SCC. Sole proprietors using a trade name file a fictitious name with the SCC.

   Official government source

   $100 (LLC) or $75 (corporation) filing fee·Immediate (online) to 5 business days

   $100 (LLC) or $75 (corporation) filing fee

   Immediate (online) to 5 business days

1. Virginia Beach Business License (BPOL)

   All businesses operating in Virginia Beach, including pet sitting businesses, must obtain a Business License from the Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue under the BPOL (Business, Professional, and Occupational License) tax. The license is renewed annually based on gross receipts.

   Official government source

   $25/year (gross receipts ≤$25,000), $40/year (≤$100,000), $50/year (≤$200,000) — flat tiered fee; above $200,000, taxed at $0.36 per $100 of gross receipts (General Services rate; Contracting is $0.16/$100, Retail Merchant $0.20/$100, Professional/financial/real estate $0.58/$100).·1–2 weeks

   $25/year (gross receipts ≤$25,000), $40/year (≤$100,000), $50/year (≤$200,000) — flat tiered fee; above $200,000, taxed at $0.36 per $100 of gross receipts (General Services rate; Contracting is $0.16/$100, Retail Merchant $0.20/$100, Professional/financial/real estate $0.58/$100).

   1–2 weeks

2. Virginia Beach — Kennel / Pet Boarding Approval (if boarding)

   If you board clients' pets at your home or at a commercial facility in Virginia Beach, expect zoning approval for a kennel or boarding use plus any applicable Animal Control requirements. The city does not publish a standalone kennel permit with a set fee or animal-count threshold, so call VB311 at 757-385-3111 for Animal Control and Zoning Administration at 757-385-8074 to confirm what your operation needs before you take bookings.

   Official government source

   No published kennel permit fee; a Conditional Use Permit, if zoning requires one for a kennel use, costs $1,090·Confirm with Animal Control and Zoning Administration; 4–12+ weeks if a Conditional Use Permit is required

   No published kennel permit fee; a Conditional Use Permit, if zoning requires one for a kennel use, costs $1,090

   Confirm with Animal Control and Zoning Administration; 4–12+ weeks if a Conditional Use Permit is required

3. Virginia Beach Zoning — Home Occupation / Residential Kennel (if boarding from home)

   Boarding animals at your Virginia Beach home is governed by the City Zoning Ordinance's home-occupation and residential-kennel use standards, not by a standalone home occupation permit. Depending on the number of animals and your zoning district, boarding may be allowed as a by-right accessory use or may require a Conditional Use Permit. Contact Virginia Beach Zoning Administration at 757-385-8074 to confirm which applies before you take bookings.

   Official government source

   No home occupation permit fee; a Conditional Use Permit, if one is required, costs $1,090·Immediate if your operation qualifies as a by-right accessory use; 4–12+ weeks if a Conditional Use Permit is required (Planning Commission and City Council hearings)

   No home occupation permit fee; a Conditional Use Permit, if one is required, costs $1,090

   Immediate if your operation qualifies as a by-right accessory use; 4–12+ weeks if a Conditional Use Permit is required (Planning Commission and City Council hearings)

Official Sources

• Virginia Beach — Business License (BPOL)
• Virginia Beach Animal Services
• VDACS — Animal Care

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