Pet Grooming License & Business Requirements in Washington State (2025): The Complete Guide

Starting a pet grooming business in Washington State is deceptively simple—and operationally complex.

You’ll often hear:

“Washington doesn’t require a pet groomer license.”

That statement is true, but it hides the real work. Washington regulates pet grooming as a business and as an animal-related facility, not as a profession. Compliance lives in taxes, licensing, zoning, sanitation rules, and county oversight—not in a cosmetology-style license.

This guide is written to be publishable, readable, and complete. It covers storefront salons, home-based groomers, and mobile grooming businesses, with special attention to the rules people usually discover too late—including Washington’s litter tax, which applies to most groomers.

Part 1: Do You Need a Pet Groomer License in Washington State?

The short answer

No. Washington State does not issue a professional license for pet groomers. Grooming is not regulated by the Washington State Department of Licensing’s cosmetology program, which only applies to human hair, skin, and nails.

There is:

• no state grooming board
• no state exam
• no mandatory certification
• no continuing education requirement

You can legally groom pets without a professional grooming license.

The important clarification

“No license required” does not mean “unregulated.”

Instead, Washington regulates grooming businesses through:

• state business registration and taxation
• city business licenses
• county animal-business and public health rules
• zoning and land-use controls
• sanitation, wastewater, and animal welfare standards

Most enforcement problems happen because groomers stop researching after hearing “no license required.”

Part 2: Choose Your Business Model First (Everything Depends on This)

Before registering anything, decide how you will operate, because the rules change based on your model.

Common grooming business models

1. Storefront grooming salon

• Commercial lease or owned retail space
• Clients drop off and pick up pets
• Highest startup cost, clearest regulatory structure

2. Home-based grooming

• Operates from a residence (garage, basement, converted room)
• Lower overhead
• Most zoning- and septic-sensitive

3. Mobile grooming

• Van or trailer-based grooming unit
• Travels to client locations
• Multi-city licensing complexity
• Wastewater disposal is critical

Once you pick a model, every later step—zoning, permits, inspections, and even taxes—follows from it.

Part 3: Washington State Business License & UBI (Required for All Groomers)

Every grooming business in Washington must obtain a Washington State Business License and a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) from the Department of Revenue (DOR).

This applies to:

• sole proprietors
• LLCs and corporations
• home-based groomers
• mobile groomers

What the UBI does

Your UBI:

• legally establishes your business with the state
• connects you to tax accounts
• is required for city endorsements
• is required for county permits
• is needed for banking and insurance

Operating without a UBI means operating illegally.

Part 4: Taxes Groomers Must Pay in Washington (Including Litter Tax)

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of running a grooming business.

1. Business & Occupation (B&O) Tax

Washington has no personal or corporate income tax, but it does have B&O tax, which is a gross receipts tax.

• You pay B&O tax on total revenue, not profit
• Expenses do not reduce what you owe
• Grooming generally falls under the “Service and Other Activities” classification

Even small grooming businesses must file B&O returns.

2. Sales Tax (Yes, Grooming Is Usually Taxable)

In most cases, pet grooming services in Washington are subject to sales tax.

This means:

• you charge sales tax to customers at checkout
• you hold that money in trust
• you remit it to the Department of Revenue

Failing to collect sales tax does not eliminate the obligation. If audited, the state can assess back taxes out of your own pocket.

3. Washington Litter Tax (Most Groomers Owe This)

This is the tax almost no groomer hears about until after they’re already operating.

What is the litter tax?

Washington’s litter tax is an additional tax applied to businesses that sell or use certain products that generate packaging waste. It helps fund litter cleanup and waste management programs.

Why groomers are affected

Pet groomers almost always:

• sell retail products (shampoo, conditioner, sprays, treats) or
• use grooming supplies that come in taxable packaging

As a result, many grooming businesses are subject to litter tax, even if they don’t think of themselves as “retail.”

Common taxable grooming items

• pet shampoos and conditioners
• grooming sprays and coat treatments
• packaged pet treats or accessories sold at checkout

Even if you don’t sell retail and only use products as part of service, litter tax may still apply depending on how items are purchased and used.

How litter tax works

• It is reported on your Washington excise tax return
• It is calculated as a small percentage of the selling price
• It is separate from sales tax and B&O tax

This tax is easy to miss and easy for the state to assess retroactively.

Action step: When setting up your tax account with DOR, explicitly confirm whether litter tax applies to your grooming business. Many groomers owe it without realizing it.

Part 5: City Business Licenses (Especially Important for Mobile Groomers)

Beyond the state license, many cities require a city business license, usually issued as a city endorsement through the state’s Business Licensing Service.

Who needs city licenses

• storefront salons inside city limits
• home-based groomers inside city limits
• mobile groomers operating in city limits

Revenue thresholds matter

Cities often use a revenue threshold (commonly $2,000/year). Exceeding it triggers licensing requirements.

Mobile groomer risk

Mobile groomers often need multiple city licenses, depending on where revenue is earned. One “home city” license does not always cover all service areas.

Part 6: County Animal Business & Grooming Parlor Permits

While the state does not license groomers, counties often regulate grooming facilities and activities.

Depending on location and setup, you may need:

• an animal business license
• a grooming parlor permit
• a pet business permit
• inspections and plan reviews

The exact name varies, but grooming is often included.

Part 7: County Examples (Why Local Research Matters)

King County

King County regulates grooming businesses through Public Health – Seattle & King County.

Groomers may need:

• a county pet business permit
• facility or mobile unit inspections
• compliance with sanitation and animal welfare standards

King County also places emphasis on:

• vaccination verification (rabies)
• facility layout
• cleaning protocols

If you’re setting up in neighboring Oregon, check out our comprehensive Oregon grooming licensing requirements guide for state-specific differences in permits and compliance.

Snohomish County (Unincorporated)

Snohomish County regulates grooming under animal business licensing.

• Grooming parlors are explicitly included
• Animal count thresholds matter
• Site plans and inspections are common

Pierce County (Unincorporated)

Pierce County licenses grooming parlors as animal businesses.

New applicants often must:

• obtain zoning approval first
• apply for an animal business license
• comply with animal-count and facility rules

Part 8: Zoning (The Step That Overrides Everything)

Zoning can stop a grooming business even if all licenses are in place.

Storefront zoning

You must confirm that:

• pet grooming is an allowed use
• plumbing and waste disposal are permitted
• noise and traffic standards can be met

Home-based zoning

Home occupation rules may limit:

• number of client visits
• animals on-site
• employees
• signage
• parking
• noise and odors

Some jurisdictions effectively prohibit high-volume home grooming.

Mobile grooming zoning

Zoning still applies to:

• where the vehicle is parked or stored
• your business base
• wastewater disposal locations

Part 9: Facility, Sanitation, and Wastewater Requirements

Inspectors focus heavily on:

• cleanable surfaces
• proper drainage
• ventilation and lighting
• safe animal containment

Wastewater is critical

Grooming wastewater contains hair, chemicals, and biological material.

Home-based groomers on septic

Many jurisdictions restrict or prohibit commercial grooming wastewater entering residential septic systems.

Mobile groomers

Wastewater must be:

• captured in tanks
• disposed of legally
• never dumped into storm drains, streets, or yards

Inspectors will ask.

Part 10: Animal Welfare, Vaccinations, and Operating Standards

Compliance doesn’t end with permits.

Expectations include:

• humane handling
• no unattended animals
• secure kenneling
• heat and stress control
• incident response procedures

Vaccination verification—especially rabies—is commonly required or strongly expected.

Modern grooming management software with digital vaccination tracking and compliance tools helps ensure you never miss expiration dates or required documentation, keeping you audit-ready without manual spreadsheets.

Part 11: Insurance (Not Optional in Practice)

Most groomers need:

• general liability
• care, custody, and control (CCC)
• commercial auto (mobile)
• property/equipment coverage
• workers’ compensation (if hiring)

Many counties require proof of insurance to issue permits.

Part 12: Home-Based vs Mobile vs Storefront — Key Differences

Home-based

• lowest overhead
• highest zoning sensitivity
• septic and animal-count issues

Mobile

• multi-city licensing complexity
• wastewater compliance
• vehicle insurance required

Storefront

• higher startup cost
• clearer zoning
• heavier inspection burden

Part 13: Example — Operating in Sammamish

Sammamish (King County) typically requires:

1. WA business license + UBI
2. Sammamish city business license endorsement
3. King County pet business permit (if applicable)
4. Zoning confirmation
5. Facility or mobile inspection

Missing any layer can delay opening.

Part 14: Practical Compliance Checklist

Universal

• WA business license + UBI
• B&O, sales tax, litter tax setup
• Business banking and bookkeeping
• Insurance coverage

Storefront

• Zoning approval
• Building and plumbing permits
• County animal permits
• Inspections passed

Home-based

• Home occupation compliance
• Animal-count limits verified
• Wastewater plan approved
• Insurance updated

Mobile

• Commercial auto insurance
• Wastewater capture + disposal plan
• City licenses for service areas
• County permits if required

Final Reality Check

Washington makes it easy to start grooming and easy to accidentally operate out of compliance.

There is no groomer license—but there are:

• taxes (including litter tax)
• city licensing layers
• county animal permits
• zoning and sanitation rules

If you approach setup in order—business license → taxes → zoning → permits → inspections—you avoid expensive corrections later.

Compliance protects:

• your business
• your clients
• the animals in your care

And it keeps you open.

Take the Next Step

Once you’re licensed and ready to operate, professional grooming salon software helps you manage the operational side—scheduling, client records, digital agreements, and compliance tracking—so you can focus on grooming instead of paperwork.

Start your free trial today and see how Packyard handles vaccination tracking, digital waivers, appointment management, and client communication in one platform built specifically for Washington groomers.

This article is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm requirements with your city, county, and the Washington Department of Revenue before opening.