The agencies state $9,375 in initial fees across 5 of the 8 items; 1 are free; 2 are set by the city, the county or a provider. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top and depend on the space.
How much does it cost to open a pet store or groomer in Missouri?
$9,375 in state fees the agencies state, across 5 of the 8 licenses, permits and registrations; 1 are free; 2 are set by the city, the county or a provider. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top.
What the state publishes for a pet store or groomer in Missouri
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $9,375initial fees across 5 of 8 items
- Free items
- 1no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 2by the city, the county or a provider
- Items in all
- 8in the order to get them
Initial fees as each agency states them, summed; renewals are not included. Where a fee depends on size or sales the range is the lowest to the highest stated. Members see each row’s fee, its renewal and the official page.
Set up the business
Item Agency Fee Articles of organization (LLC); no annual report Missouri Secretary of State Premium only Fictitious name registration (DBA) Missouri Secretary of State Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Missouri tax registration: retail sales tax license, employer withholding, and the sales tax bond Missouri Department of Revenue Premium only City or county business license Your city clerk or finance department Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval and certificate of occupancy Your city or county planning Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Animal Care Facilities Act license (pet shop or boarding kennel) Missouri Department of Agriculture Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Premium only
What comes on top of the fees
The state publishes its fees; the space sets the rest. These work it out from your own numbers.
- Rent the business can carryMonthly sales, or seats and average check, to the base rent that fits a healthy occupancy share.Rent-to-sales calculator
- The real cost of a NNN leaseBase rent plus CAM, property taxes and insurance, each month.NNN lease calculator
- The steps in orderThe same items as a walk-through you tick off, with progress saved to your account.How to open
Fees are shown to members as published. Create an account.
Sources and dates
Secretary of State corporations FAQ and form LLC-1 (fee schedule); Small Business Startup Guide; RSMo 417.200 to 417.230; Secretary of State fictitious name registration (form Corp. 56) and schedule of fees; IRS EIN page; Department of Revenue business registration pages (form 2643, MyTax Missouri); 12 CSR 10-104.020 (sales and use tax bonds); RSMo 144.087; Kansas City business license FAQ (forms RD-105 and RD-103); City of St. Louis graduated business license fee schedule; Secretary of State Small Business Startup Guide; Secretary of State Small Business Startup Guide (local requirements); city and county building and zoning ordinances; RSMo 273.325 to 273.357 (Animal Care Facilities Act); 2 CSR 30-9.010 (fees); Department of Agriculture ACFA program page and application; Division of Employment Security tax rates page (2026 new employer rates and taxable wage base); Division of Workers’ Compensation employer insurance page. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.