Pet Sitting Business Permit Requirements in Miami, FL

Complete permit and license guide for starting a pet sitting business in Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Updated 2026-02-15 5 stops $100–$800 est. 1–3 weeks for in-home visiting pet sitting; 4–8 weeks for pet boarding facility (state license required)
Get my personalized route — $14.99

Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Florida

2 stops

  1. Florida - No State Pet Boarding Facility License (boarding regulated locally)

    Florida has no state-level license for pet boarding facilities, kennels, or pet care centers - FDACS issues no such license. Boarding/kennel businesses are regulated locally (county/municipal animal ordinances, zoning, and local business tax receipts; e.g., Miami-Dade County kennel/pet-care rules). In-home pet sitters who only visit clients' homes need no state license.

    Official government source

    No state fee (local requirements vary)3–6 weeks

  2. Florida — No State Pet Sitter License (visiting only)

    Florida does not require any state license for pet sitters who visit clients' homes - neither FDACS nor DBPR licenses pet sitting. Boarding/kennel facilities are regulated locally (county/municipal ordinances and zoning), not by FDACS. Pet sitting services are not subject to Florida sales tax. A Miami-Dade local business tax receipt may be required.

    Official government source

    No feeN/A

City of Miami / Miami-Dade County

2 stops

  1. City of Miami Business Tax Receipt (BTR)

    Pet sitting businesses operating within Miami city limits must obtain a Business Tax Receipt (BTR) from the City of Miami Finance Department. This applies to in-home visiting pet sitters and boarding operators. Renewed annually.

    Official government source

    $100–$300/year1–3 weeks

  2. Miami-Dade Animal Services — Kennel License (for boarding, as of July 1, 2025)

    As of July 1, 2025, Miami-Dade County no longer handles kennel licensing locally — licensing is now handled at the state level by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Contact FDACS or the Department of Business and Professional Regulation at 850-410-3800 for current boarding facility license requirements.

    Official government source

    $100–$500/year (state-level; varies by facility size)3–6 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $100–$800 · 1–3 weeks for in-home visiting pet sitting; 4–8 weeks for pet boarding facility (state license required)

Want this mapped to your exact business and structure, in filing order?

Get my personalized route — $14.99

Official Sources

Related Guides