Who needs a pet shop license and the commercial pet care facility endorsement in District of Columbia?
Issued by DC Health, Animal Services Program; Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (Health Services BBL category), at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
1 of the 20 kinds of business in District of Columbia
No one may run a pet shop in the District without the license, and DC Health inspects the shop before it issues and on request afterwards; refusing an inspection is grounds to revoke. A commercial pet care facility (boarding, daycare, bathing, grooming or training) needs the inspected BBL under D.C. Code 8-1821.02. Grooming alone needs no animal license beyond that.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by DC Health, Animal Services Program; Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (Health Services BBL category).
Sources and dates
DLCP Health Services category page (pet shops under 22-B DCMR chapter 7); DC Health animal services licenses, permits and fees; D.C. Code 8-1804 and 8-1821.02. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
Yes. No one may run a pet shop in the District without the license, and DC Health inspects the shop before it issues and on request afterwards; refusing an inspection is grounds to revoke.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
DC Health, Animal Services Program; Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (Health Services BBL category).
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs a pet shop license in District of Columbia? | DoorWorthy
