Pet Sitting Service Permit Requirements in Tacoma, WA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a pet sitting service in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington.

Verified 2026-08-31 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 Washington

2 stops

  1. Washington — Pet Sitting License Requirements

    Washington does not require a state license for in-home pet sitting, and WSDA has no animal shelter or boarding license program - its animals pages cover animal health, feed, and disease traceability only. Commercial boarding facilities are regulated locally through county or city kennel and animal-care ordinances. Pet sitters who visit clients' homes in Tacoma are generally exempt from state licensing and from local animal-facility permitting; you still need the state Business License and a City of Tacoma business license.

    Official government source

    No state pet-sitting or boarding license or fee. You still pay the $50 state Business License Application processing fee and Tacoma's annual business license fee. Local kennel or boarding permits, if you board animals at a facility, are set by the local jurisdiction.Not applicable - there is no state pet-sitting license to apply for.

  2. Washington Department of Revenue — Business License (includes sales tax)

    Pet sitting and dog walking services are generally not subject to retail sales tax in Washington, though you still owe Business & Occupation tax on gross income. If you also sell pet products - food, leashes, accessories - those sales are taxable at the local combined rate, which in Tacoma is 10.5% (6.5% state plus 4.0% local, location code 2717) for the quarter beginning October 1, 2026. Rates change quarterly, so confirm with DOR's Tax Rate Lookup Tool. Register with the Department of Revenue through the Business License Application.

    Official government source

    $50 one-time Business License Application processing fee to open a business; $5 per location annual renewal processing fee; $10 for any other filing (adding a trade name, an endorsement, or hiring employees); $5 per trade name registered. State, city, and county endorsements carry separate fees.About 10 business days for online applications; add 2-3 weeks if city or state endorsements are required; mailed applications take up to 6 weeks.

City of Tacoma / Pierce County

2 stops

  1. Tacoma — General Business License / Occupational Tax Certificate

    Pet sitting businesses operating in Tacoma - including dog walking, in-home pet care, and pet transportation - must hold a City of Tacoma business licence, administered by Tacoma Tax & License and applied for through the state Business License Application. Pierce County does not issue this licence. Home-based pet sitters may need a Home Occupation Permit if clients or their pets come to the residence.

    Official government source

    Tiered by worldwide gross income for 2024-2026: $37 if under $12,000 (and per branch location, and for 501(c)(3) organizations), $190 for $12,000-$250,000, $435 for $250,001-$1,000,000, $1,500 for $1,000,000-$5,000,000, and $2,000 over $5,000,000. Regulatory licence fees apply to certain business activities on top of this.Filed with the state Business License Application: about 10 business days online, plus another 2-3 weeks for the city endorsement to be approved.

  2. Tacoma - Animal Care / Home Boarding Requirements (if boarding pets)

    Pet sitting that only involves visiting clients' homes needs no animal facility permit in Tacoma. If you keep clients' animals at your own property, animal control and animal-keeping limits are enforced by the City of Tacoma's Animal Control and Compliance officers in partnership with The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, and Pierce County Code Title 6 governs kennels in unincorporated Pierce County. Boarding animals at your residence is also a residential-based business, so Tacoma requires a Conditional Residential Business Agreement under TMC 6B.130 in addition to the annual city business license.

    Official government source

    Tacoma charges no separate pet-boarding permit fee; the Conditional Residential Business Agreement is $100 one time, plus the annual Tacoma business license ($37 for gross income under $12,000). Kennel permit fees in unincorporated Pierce County are set by Pierce County - call Pierce County Animal Control.The Conditional Residential Business Agreement is reviewed by Environmental Services, Planning and Development Services, and Tax & License Compliance before approval; no published turnaround.

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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