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Pet Sitting Business Permit Requirements in Burlington, VT

Complete permit and license guide for starting a pet sitting business in Burlington, Chittenden County, Vermont.

Verified 2026-09-07 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 for EIN (Employer Identification Number) (opens in a new tab)

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Vermont

1 stop

  1. Vermont Department of Taxes — Sales Tax Registration

    Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Vermont. Vermont charges a 6% state sales tax; meals and lodging are taxed at 9%. Register with the Vermont Department of Taxes online.

    Official government source for Vermont Department of Taxes — Sales Tax Registration (opens in a new tab)

    FreeImmediate (online via myVTax)

City of Burlington / Chittenden County

2 stops

  1. Burlington Business License (not required for most businesses)

    Burlington's City Clerk/Treasurer does not issue a general business licence, and there is no gross-receipts-based city business tax certificate. The office licenses exactly four categories: cannabis, liquor, peddler, and taxi. Fitness studios, tutoring, cleaning services, salons, contractors, food trucks, child care, pet services, photography, and professional services are not required to hold a blanket city business licence. Check whether your business falls into one of the four licensed categories; otherwise the relevant approvals are trade- or use-specific — a zoning permit or Certificate of Occupancy from the Department of Permitting & Inspections, a state Health Department food licence, or a state professional licence from the Office of Professional Regulation.

    Official government source for Burlington Business License (not required for most businesses) (opens in a new tab)

    $0 — no general business licence exists in BurlingtonN/A — there is no application to file unless your business is cannabis, liquor, peddling, or taxi

  2. Burlington Zoning Compliance for Home-Based Pet Sitting or Boarding

    There is no Chittenden County Animal Services department — Vermont counties operate no executive or regulatory agencies. Vermont also has no state kennel or pet-sitter licence: 20 V.S.A. chapter 194 licenses only pet shops, animal shelters, rescue organisations, fairs, and auctions, and the $25 municipal 'pet dealer' permit under 20 V.S.A. § 3681 applies only to breeders selling three or more litters a year. What does apply in Burlington is home-occupation review under Sec. 5.4.6 of the Comprehensive Development Ordinance, administered by Planning & Zoning: no outside storage, no exterior evidence of the business, and only residents of the home as employees for administrative approval.

    Official government source for Burlington Zoning Compliance for Home-Based Pet Sitting or Boarding (opens in a new tab)

    $0 for any animal-services permit (none exists); a Burlington zoning permit for a home occupation is $15 filing fee + $107Low-impact home occupations are approved administratively by the Zoning Administrator; anything outside those limits needs a noticed Development Review Board conditional-use hearing.

Terminus

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

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