What District of Columbia law says about licensing a boarding kennel or daycare, pets nobody picks up, and rabies. Checked November 2, 2026.
State license
You need a basic business license with an Inspected Sales and Service endorsement, plus a health permit from DC Health; both day and overnight boarding are covered. The fee and inspection rules were not found.
No rule found
No abandonment law for boarding was found. A livery lien lets you hold animals for unpaid charges, but it's unclear whether it covers dog kennels, so ask an attorney.
Required
Dogs over 4 months must be vaccinated.
The health-permit rule comes from a temporary 90-day emergency act of Aug. 13, 2026, and whether it is now permanent was not verified.
Sources: D.C. Code § 8-1821.02 D.C. Code § 40-101 D.C. Code § 8-1803
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.
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