Who needs a commercial establishment license: pet shop, boarding kennel or commercial kennel (grooming) in Iowa?
Issued by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Animal Industry Bureau (Iowa Code chapter 162), at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
Iowa licenses groomers as commercial kennels, so a grooming shop needs the state license even with no boarding or sales. Apply before opening; the Bureau inspects the premises and the license is not transferable. Cities may add a kennel or pet shop permit of their own.
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 Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Animal Industry Bureau (Iowa Code chapter 162).
Sources and dates
IDALS commercial establishment application (revised September 2025); Iowa Code 162.2A and 162.2B; IASourceLink commercial kennel license page. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
Yes. Iowa licenses groomers as commercial kennels, so a grooming shop needs the state license even with no boarding or sales.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
No. In Iowa it is listed for pet stores and groomers.
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Animal Industry Bureau (Iowa Code chapter 162).
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 commercial establishment license in Iowa? | DoorWorthy
