What Arizona law says about licensing a boarding kennel or daycare, pets nobody picks up, and rabies. Checked November 2, 2026.
State license
State law requires a kennel permit from your county board of supervisors if you keep 5 or more dogs, unless each dog is individually licensed. The fee is $75 a year or the county's cost, and kennels with 20 or more dogs must allow county inspections.
Covers kennels
If a pet isn't picked up by the agreed date, you may send written notice by certified mail. If it isn't reclaimed within 30 days of mailing, it becomes yours to dispose of as you see fit.
Required
Dogs 3 months and older must be licensed, and a dog can't be licensed without a rabies shot.
Sources: A.R.S. § 11-1009 A.R.S. § 3-1310 A.R.S. § 11-1010
Facts, not legal advice. Laws change, and your county or city may have its own kennel permit: call them before you rely on any of this.
| State | Kennel license | Pets nobody picks up | Rabies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | State license | Covers kennels | Required |
| California | No state license | Covers kennels | Required |
| Colorado | State license | Vets only | Local rules |
| Nevada | No state license | Vets only | Required |
| New Mexico | No state license | Covers kennels | Required |
| Utah | No state license | Vets only | Local rules |
Zoning, your county or city, and the fire marshal come too. The Opening Kit walks you through all of them, with the questions to ask each office, then insurance, policies, prices and your first twenty clients.
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