Starting out
Do you need a license to start a dog walking business in the US?
By the Trusthound team · · 6 min read
There's no single federal license for dog walking in the US. What you need depends on your state, county and city: usually a general business license or registration, sometimes a dog-walker permit for parks, and a state kennel license if you board dogs. Most walkers also choose to carry insurance, even where nobody requires it.
This guide walks through the usual layers so you know what to check. It's general information, not legal or tax advice, and the rules change, so confirm anything local with your city or county before you start.
Is there a federal license for dog walkers?
No. Dog walking isn't licensed at the federal level. The federal government's part is mostly about tax: registering your business for tax purposes and reporting what you earn. Everything else, from business licenses to park permits to kennel rules, happens at the state, county or city level.
That's why two walkers a few miles apart can have quite different paperwork.
Do you need a business license?
Often, yes. Many cities and counties require anyone doing business there to hold a general business license or tax registration, even a one-person service run from home. The U.S. Small Business Administration explains that the licenses you need depend on your business activities and location, and that local governments set their own registration and permit rules.
Things to check with your city or county:
- General business license or registration. Usually a short form and a fee, renewed every year.
- Home occupation permit. Some cities want one if your business address is your home, even if the work happens elsewhere.
- "Doing business as" (DBA) name. If you trade under a name other than your own, such as "Happy Tails Walking", you may need to register it with your state or county.
The easiest starting point is your city's website. Search for "business license" plus your city name, or call the city clerk.
Do you need an EIN?
Not always. The IRS says a sole proprietor with no employees, who doesn't file excise or pension plan tax returns, doesn't need an EIN (Employer Identification Number), but can get one. EINs are free from the IRS, and many walkers get one anyway so they don't have to give out their Social Security number to clients or banks. You'll need one as soon as you hire an employee.
On the tax side, the IRS says you have to file a return if your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more. Sole proprietors report business income on Schedule C, and because nobody is withholding tax for you, you'll generally pay estimated tax quarterly. A local accountant can help you set this up in your first year.
Do you need a city dog-walker permit?
In some cities, yes, especially if you walk several dogs at once in public parks. San Francisco is a well-known example:
- Walkers with four or more dogs at a time need an annual commercial dog walker permit from San Francisco Animal Care & Control.
- The maximum is eight dogs at a time.
- Applicants need San Francisco business registration, training or experience, $1 million in general liability insurance, and a vehicle inspection.
- The fee is $333 for the first permit and $133 to renew.
Other cities have their own limits on dogs per person, leash rules and off-leash areas. Even where there's no permit, park rules still apply, so read the rules for the parks and trails you plan to use.
What if you board dogs or run a daycare?
This is where state licensing usually comes in. Walking dogs is rarely licensed by the state, but keeping dogs overnight or caring for them at your premises often is. Two examples:
- Colorado: Under the Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA), boarding facilities are licensed and inspected by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
- Pennsylvania: A state kennel license is required for boarding kennels and for anyone who keeps or boards 26 or more dogs in a calendar year. Kennel licenses expire on December 31.
Zoning matters too. Your city may limit how many dogs you can keep at a home address, or require a conditional use permit for a daycare. Check with your state agriculture department and your city's planning or zoning office before you take overnight bookings.
Do you need to charge sales tax?
There's no federal sales tax, but some states tax pet services. It varies a lot, so check your own state's revenue department. For example:
| State | What's taxed | What isn't |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Pet grooming, and pet boarding including pet day care outside the home, at 6.35% | Dog walking on its own |
| Iowa | Pet grooming (on Iowa's list of taxable services) | Check the list for other pet services |
If you offer a mix of services, such as walks plus occasional boarding, you may need to collect tax on some and not others. Your state's sales tax guidance is the place to confirm.
What insurance do dog walkers carry?
Insurance isn't always a legal requirement, but some city permits, like San Francisco's, make it one. Many clients ask about it too. Common types:
- General liability, in case a dog in your care injures someone or damages property.
- Care, custody and control, which covers the dogs themselves if they're hurt, lost or become ill while with you. General liability policies often exclude animals in your care, so check.
- Bonding, which can reimburse clients for theft by you or your staff. It's useful if you hold house keys.
- Commercial auto, if you'll drive dogs. Personal auto policies may not cover business use.
Read the policy for limits on the number of dogs, off-leash walking and the activities covered.
Your starting checklist
- Look up your city or county business license and any home occupation permit
- Register a DBA if you're trading under a business name
- Decide whether to get a free EIN from the IRS
- Set aside money for quarterly estimated tax
- Check whether your city needs a dog-walker permit, and its dog limits
- If you'll board or run a daycare, check state kennel licensing and local zoning
- Check whether your state taxes any of your services
- Get insurance quotes, including care, custody and control
- Write simple terms for clients to agree to before the first walk
Our startup checklist covers the rest of the setup, and the terms and conditions guide helps with the paperwork clients sign.
How Trusthound can help
Once the paperwork is sorted, Trusthound handles the day-to-day: bookings and recurring schedules, card payments and ACH bank debits, daily care records, vaccination reminders, and walk updates for owners with photos and GPS routes. Clients agree to your terms in the app, so you have a record of who accepted what. See how it works on the dog walking software page.
Sources
- U.S. Small Business Administration: Apply for licenses and permits
- U.S. Small Business Administration: Register your business
- IRS: Get an employer identification number
- IRS Publication 1635: Understanding your EIN
- IRS: Self-employed individuals tax center
- San Francisco Animal Care & Control: Dog walker permit
- Colorado Department of Agriculture: PACFA licensing
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: Pennsylvania's dog laws
- Connecticut Department of Revenue Services: Services subject to sales and use taxes
- Iowa Department of Revenue: Iowa sales and use tax on taxable services
Checked October 20, 2026.
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules vary between areas and change over time, so check with your local authority or an adviser.