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License a Kennel or Animal Business
Our service area is limited to unincorporated outside of city or town limitsSnohomish County. Most cities have their own animal services agencies.
Click the map below to find your service area.
A Snohomish County kennel or animal business license is required when 4 or more dogs are owned, kept, or maintained at a facility, establishment, residence or other premises by any person(s).
Select the tabs below to find out which type of animal business license you need.
If you own, keep, or maintain 4-10 dogs at your private residence, Snohomish County considers your home a private kennel and you must obtain a private kennel license.
Requirements for private kennels:
- private kennel license (renewed annually)
- pet licenses for each dog (renewed annually)
- a fenced area appropriate for the breed and number of dogs
- suitable shelter to protect the animal from excessive heat or cold, sunlight, rain, snow, wind and other elements
- sufficient food and water that is accessible and free from contamination
- private kennels are subject to periodic inspections by an Animal Control Officer
To apply:
1. Complete an application form
- Download a private kennel application form
- Fill out the fillable PDF form or print the application and fill it out
2. Submit your completed application and the correct fee using an approved form of payment
In Person
Bring your completed application and approved payment method to Snohomish County Animal Services (located at the Snohomish County Government Campus on the first floor of the Admin West Building).
Payment methods accepted: Cash, credit card, check
By Mail
Send your completed application and the correct fee, including the legal advertisement fee for initial applications to:
Snohomish County Auditor
Animal Services Division
3000 Rockefeller Ave. M/S 306
Everett, WA 98201-4046
Payment methods accepted: Personal check, cashier’s check, money order
By Email
Send your completed application form to animalservices@snoco.org.
A staff member will contact you for payment over the phone.
Payment methods accepted: Visa and Mastercard
Snohomish County Animal Services licenses and inspects animal shelters, commercial kennels, boarding facilities, grooming parlors, pet shops, and any combination of these types of businesses. Animal business licenses must be renewed annually.
Below are descriptions of the animal business and commercial kennel licenses issued by Snohomish County.
License Types
- Animal Shelter: A facility that accepts from the public impounded, stray, homeless, abandoned, or unwanted animals for temporary housing for a period of time not to exceed six months.
- Commercial Kennel - Boarding: A place where more than one animal is kept by contractual arrangement with the owner, whether for compensation or not, for any purpose other than medical treatment, breeding, or permanent disposal.
- Commercial Kennel - Non-boarding: A place where the owner or occupant of the property keeps at least four and not more than 25 total dogs, including puppies.
- Grooming Parlor: Any establishment, public or private, where animals are bathed, clipped, or combed for compensation.
- Pet Shop: Any person or establishment that acquires, holds, or offers animals not bred and whelped from the facility for the purpose of sale or resale to the public.
- Combination: Commercial kennel with grooming parlor.
Required Documents
To obtain a license, you must submit the following information:
- A completed Snohomish County Kennel / Animal Business License Application (PDF)
- A drawing of the property including the lot dimensions, the size and location of the kennel runs and/or animal housing in relation to building and property line(s) including setbacks, street names, and cross streets
- Legal description of the property including property tax account number
- The correct licensing fee (Kennel and Animal Business License fee chart)
- Corporations must submit the name, home address, and telephone number of each of its officers, directors, and shareholders and the number of shares held by each if there are fewer than 10 shareholders
Additional Requirements
Commercial boarding kennel and animal shelter license applicants must also submit proof of general liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 as required by SCC 6.01.190. The policy must show Snohomish County as the certificate holder.