Licenses for dog walkers and pet sitters

No pet permit, but a business license

Public Health Seattle and King County lists dog walkers, pet care in the client's home, and boarding for three or fewer animals among the businesses exempt from its permits. (King County)

Tacoma's license fee list has no entry for pet sitting or dog walking. (City of Tacoma) What applies is the general city business license.

Seattle

• Anyone doing business in Seattle needs a business license tax certificate, renewed each year by Dec. 31. The City names personal services and home-based businesses among those that need one. (City of Seattle)
• In 2026, a business with $4,000 or less of Seattle income and no place of business in the city needs no certificate. (City of Seattle, read Oct 18, 2026)
• 2026 fees by Seattle taxable revenue: $73 for $0 to $19,999, and $147 for $20,000 to $499,999. (City of Seattle, read Oct 18, 2026)

Tacoma

• A business operating or soliciting business inside Tacoma needs a Tacoma license. A business based outside the city with less than $4,000 of Tacoma income needs none, unless its work calls for a regulatory license. (City of Tacoma, read Oct 18, 2026)
• Annual fees for 2024 to 2026 go by worldwide gross income: $37 under $12,000, and $190 from $12,000 to $250,000. (City of Tacoma, read Oct 18, 2026)
• A walker or sitter based at home in Tacoma needs a Residential Business license, even when the work happens at clients' homes and whatever the revenue. Tacoma's own pages give different one-time fees for it, so confirm the fee with the City. (City of Tacoma) (City of Tacoma)

Leash and cleanup rules on a walk

Seattle Parks says dogs must be on a leash outside off-leash areas, a leash must be carried for each dog inside one, and unattended dogs are not allowed there. Dogs are not allowed on organized athletic fields, beaches or children's play areas. (Seattle Parks)

Seattle Parks puts fines for off-leash, license and scooping violations at $50 to $150, and $500 at a beach. (Seattle Parks, read Oct 18, 2026)

Seattle's animal code defines an owner as anyone who has an animal in their possession or custody, and it places its duties on the owners and possessors of animals. (SMC 9.25.022) On that text, a walker or sitter holding your dog counts as its owner.

The code's scoop rules require the owner to remove the dog's waste from public property, or from another person's property, before leaving the area, and to carry the equipment to do it. (SMC 9.25)

Tacoma's code says a dog off its owner's or custodian's premises must be on a leash or chain no longer than eight feet, held by the owner, the custodian or another competent and authorized person. Anyone with a dog in their possession must pick up its waste right away on public property, or on private property that isn't the owner's or custodian's. (Tacoma Municipal Code 17.02)

Olympia and Lacey codes make anyone with temporary custody of a pet responsible for it, and expect that person to carry cleanup supplies in public parks or on public property. (Olympia Municipal Code 6.04) (Lacey Municipal Code 7.04.050)

Questions for the walker or sitter

1. Do you hold a Seattle business license tax certificate or a Tacoma business license?
2. How many dogs do you walk at once, and do you carry a leash for each one?
3. Do you carry waste bags on every walk?
4. Where, if anywhere, do you let dogs off leash?

Next

See more questions to ask a dog walker and red flags to watch for.