PA kennel license application: fees, forms, and steps

Last updated 2026-07-25

What is a PA kennel license and who actually needs one?

A Pennsylvania kennel license is a state-issued permit from the PA Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement that lets a facility house dogs beyond what a private household is allowed to keep without one. It's governed by the Dog Law, 3 Pa.C.S. Chapter 20, and its regulations at 7 Pa. Code Chapter 21 ^{[1] [2]}. You need one if you run a boarding kennel, commercial dog daycare that houses dogs overnight, breeding kennel, pet shop kennel, dealer kennel, or a rescue/shelter kennel. The trigger PA actually uses is number of dogs kept, not "do you charge money." Under the Dog Law's kennel classes, anyone who keeps 26 or more dogs over four months old in a calendar year, for any of the covered purposes, needs a kennel license, and smaller operations tied to sale or boarding for a fee generally need one too depending on class ^[1]. This is separate from your county dog license (the individual tag every dog owner needs) and separate from local zoning approval. A lot of new operators mix these up. The state kennel license says you're allowed to operate a kennel business under Dog Law. Zoning says your township allows a kennel use on that parcel. You need both, and neither one substitutes for the other.

How do you get a PA kennel license, step by step?

Start with zoning, not the state form. Confirm your parcel is zoned for a kennel or animal boarding use, or that you can get a conditional use or special exception, before you sink money into the state application. PA townships and boroughs write their own zoning ordinances, so there's no one statewide answer here; check with your specific municipal zoning office. Once zoning is squared away (or you're confident enough to proceed), the sequence looks like this: 1. Get your facility ready to meet the physical standards in 7 Pa. Code Chapter 21 (space per dog, sanitation, ventilation, record-keeping) ^[2]. 2. Fill out Form DOG-110, the Kennel License Application, available from the PA Department of Agriculture ^[3]. 3. Pick your kennel class based on the number of dogs you'll house (this sets your fee). 4. Submit the application, fee, and any required attachments (proof of ownership or lease, sometimes a site sketch) to the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement. 5. Schedule or wait for the required kennel inspection by a state dog warden. 6. Get your license certificate and kennel tag, which you display at the facility. Most operators find the paperwork itself isn't the hard part. The hard part is getting the physical space and zoning lined up before the inspector shows up. If you want a structured way to pull the zoning documentation and license paperwork together in one pass, that's exactly the gap our $149 Kennel License & Zoning Packet is built to close; it's a document prep tool, not legal representation.

How much does a PA kennel license cost?

Small private kennel (up to 26 dogs)	Lower end of the schedule, roughly $50-$100
Mid-size commercial/boarding kennel	Mid-range, roughly $200-$500
Large commercial kennel (100+ dogs)	Upper end, can run $750-$1,050+	On top of the license fee, budget for the inspection (no separate state fee for a routine inspection, but re-inspections after a failed first visit can add time and sometimes cost if violations require licensed contractor work), your county dog licenses for each resident dog, and any zoning application or engineering fees your township charges separately. Those local fees are set by your county and municipality, not the state, so there's no fixed number here.

Pennsylvania kennel license fees scale with how many dogs your kennel is licensed to hold, and the state has periodically adjusted these fee tiers, so always confirm the current amount on the PDA fee schedule before you budget ^[3]. As a general range, expect somewhere between roughly $50 for the smallest private kennel class and over $1,000 for the largest commercial kennel classes; PDA's published kennel fee categories break out by class (private kennel, non-profit, commercial breeding kennel, boarding kennel, kennel pet shop, and so on) with fees tied to dog capacity ^[3]. Here's the general shape of it (confirm exact current dollar figures with PDA before filing, since fee schedules do get amended by the legislature): | Kennel size / class | Approximate annual fee range |

How does PA kennel licensing connect to zoning approval?

The state license and local zoning are two different approvals from two different governments, and PA does not require your township to sign off before PDA issues a kennel license, but plenty of townships require zoning compliance before they'll let you build or operate at all. That gap catches new operators constantly. You can hold a valid state kennel license and still get shut down (or sued) by your township for operating a kennel use without zoning approval. Most PA municipalities treat a commercial kennel as a conditional use or special exception in agricultural or rural-residential zones, and often prohibit it outright in straight residential zones. Expect your zoning hearing board to ask about noise (barking), setback from property lines, hours of operation, parking, and waste disposal. Bring a site plan, a description of your operating hours, and any sound-mitigation plan (indoor-only exercise yards, staggered group sizes, that kind of thing). If you're weighing a boarding-only model versus daycare versus a breeding kennel, the zoning conversation is different for each. Boarding kennels tend to draw questions about overnight noise and after-hours staffing. Daycare operations without overnight boarding sometimes get an easier path since dogs go home each night. If you're comparing those business models before you commit to a site, our guides on dog boarding, pet boarding, and doggy day care walk through how each one is typically licensed and zoned.

What inspection standards does PA require for a kennel license?

Pennsylvania's kennel regulations at 7 Pa. Code Chapter 21 set specific physical standards: minimum square footage per dog based on the dog's size, a solid resting surface off wet or slatted flooring, temperature controls (kennels can't be allowed to exceed certain heat/cold thresholds for extended periods), sanitation and waste removal schedules, and record-keeping for each dog housed ^[2]. A state dog warden inspects before your first license is issued and then at least annually afterward. Wardens have statutory authority to inspect kennels, and the Dog Law lays out both the inspection authority and the penalties for operating an unlicensed kennel or refusing entry ^[1]. If you fail the first inspection, you'll get a list of violations and a timeline to fix them before a re-inspection; the license doesn't get issued until you pass. Common first-inspection failures worth planning around: not enough square footage per run once you count actual current dog count (not projected), no separate isolation space for sick dogs, inadequate ventilation in converted barns or garages, and missing written protocols for feeding, medication, and euthanasia decisions (yes, even boarding kennels need a written protocol for what happens if a dog has a medical emergency).

How is a state kennel license different from a county dog license?

This is the single most common mix-up new operators run into, so it's worth being blunt about it: a county dog license and a state kennel license are not the same thing and one does not replace the other. A dog license is the individual tag every dog owner in Pennsylvania needs, purchased through the county treasurer's office (or online through the state's licensing portal), renewed annually, required once a dog turns three months old ^[1]. Registering an individual pet is a completely separate process from licensing a kennel business. A kennel license is the business-level permit from the state Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement that lets you house multiple dogs on a commercial or breeding basis. If you're opening a boarding facility, you as the operator likely still need to make sure any personal dogs you own are individually licensed too, but that's a small line item next to your actual kennel license fee. If a customer asks how to register a dog they own (versus what you need for your kennel), point them to their county treasurer's dog licensing page; it's usually a flat annual fee in the range of $6.50 to $8.50 for an unaltered dog and less for spayed/neutered dogs, though exact amounts are set county by county ^[4].

How do you become a licensed dog breeder in Pennsylvania?

Becoming a licensed breeder in PA means clearing three separate thresholds, and a lot of hobby breeders don't realize all three exist until they're already over one of them. First, state kennel license. Under Pennsylvania's Dog Law, anyone who keeps and sells dogs commercially generally needs a kennel license once they cross the state's kennel-size or sale thresholds, and a "Commercial Kennel" is specifically defined in the statute for breeding operations that produce a set number of litters or dogs for sale ^[1]. Check the current definition and threshold with PDA's Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement directly, since this is one of the more frequently amended parts of the code. Second, federal USDA/APHIS license. If you sell dogs sight-unseen (online, through a broker, shipped without the buyer meeting the dog and the puppy in person before purchase) and you have more than four breeding females, you likely need a USDA Class A (breeder) license under the Animal Welfare Act, administered by APHIS ^[5]. USDA's own guidance is direct about this: retail pet stores and hobby breeders who only sell face-to-face are generally exempt, but anyone selling wholesale or sight-unseen at volume is not ^[5]. Third, local zoning. Breeding kennels get the same conditional-use scrutiny as boarding kennels, sometimes more, because townships often add odor and noise conditions specific to whelping and puppy socialization areas. Practically, here's the sequence: get your zoning sorted, apply for your PA kennel license, and only then start scaling breeding volume, because if you cross the USDA numeric threshold before you've got state and local approval, you're now juggling three regulators instead of building the business.

When do you need a USDA license, and what's the actual threshold?

USDA's Animal Welfare Act licensing threshold is not about total dogs owned, it's about how you sell them. APHIS requires a license from anyone who breeds and sells dogs wholesale, or who sells to buyers who never see the animal in person before the sale (internet sales, shipped sales, broker sales), and who has more than four breeding female dogs, cats, or small exotic or wild mammals ^[5]. APHIS states its retail pet store exemption plainly: breeders who sell animals only at retail, face-to-face, are typically exempt from licensing regardless of volume, but that exemption disappears the moment sales go wholesale or sight-unseen ^[5]. This is the exact rule that trips up breeders who start selling out of state through website inquiries and shipping arrangements; they assume because they're "just a small breeder" they're fine, but the sight-unseen sale is what pulls them into federal licensing, not their total dog count alone. If you do need a USDA license, you're now also subject to the federal Animal Welfare Act's own facility standards (9 CFR Part 3), which cover space, sanitation, veterinary care, and recordkeeping, layered on top of whatever Pennsylvania's Dog Law already requires ^{[5] [6]}. Facilities juggling both sets of rules should build their space and staffing plan around whichever standard is stricter, litter by litter, rather than trying to run two separate compliance tracks.

How do you get papers for a dog, and does that have anything to do with the kennel license?

"Getting papers" for a dog almost always means AKC (or another breed registry) registration, and that process has nothing to do with your state kennel license or zoning approval. They're entirely separate systems run by entirely different organizations. To register a litter with the AKC, the breeder (who owns the sire or dam, or both) submits a litter registration application, and individual puppies then get registered to their new owners using that litter number. If you're asking how to get papers for a dog you already own that isn't registered, you generally need documentation connecting that dog to a registered sire and dam; without that paper trail, most registries won't retroactively register an adult dog. What does connect to your kennel license: if you're a breeder producing registered litters commercially, your state kennel license and (if applicable) your USDA license are what makes the breeding operation itself legal to run. The registry paperwork is what makes an individual puppy's pedigree official for the buyer. A buyer asking you how to get papers for their new puppy needs a registry answer, not a licensing answer, but your own compliance as the breeder is what keeps that whole chain legitimate.

How much does dog boarding cost, and does that affect licensing?

Dog boarding rates in the US typically run $25 to $85 a night depending on region, dog size, and whether it's a basic kennel stay or a higher-touch daycare-style boarding setup; upscale "dog hotel" style boarding in larger metro areas can run higher. There's no federal or Pennsylvania price-setting on boarding rates; PDA regulates the facility and its physical standards, not what you charge ^[2]. What licensing does affect is your capacity, and capacity drives revenue math. Your kennel license class is tied to the number of dogs you're approved to house, so if you're planning nightly boarding revenue at, say, 40 dogs a night, you need a kennel license class (and a facility footprint under Chapter 21's square-footage rules) that actually supports 40 dogs, not the 26-dog threshold tier. Underestimating your dog count when you first apply is a common mistake; you end up re-filing for a higher class a year in once the business grows past what the license covers. If you're modeling out boarding pricing against your build-out costs, it's worth comparing standard boarding kennels against daycare-hybrid models and premium options like the ones covered in our dog hotels near me and Dogtopia guides, since the facility standards (and therefore your licensing class) shift depending on which model you build.

What documents do you actually need to submit with the PA kennel license application?

Form DOG-110 asks for the basics: applicant name and business name, physical address of the kennel (has to be the actual location, not a PO box), the kennel class you're applying for, and the maximum number of dogs you intend to house ^[3]. Beyond the form itself, plan on gathering: - Proof of ownership or a signed lease for the property, showing you have legal right to operate there

• A site sketch or floor plan showing dog housing areas, exercise yards, and isolation/quarantine space
• Your local zoning approval or proof of application (some counties want this attached, others process independently, so ask your specific zoning office what they require)
• Rabies vaccination records for any resident breeding dogs, if applicable
• Your kennel license fee payment, in the class-appropriate amount Double check with the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement directly on current attachment requirements, since PDA periodically updates its application checklist and the version on their forms page is the one to trust over any third-party summary, including this one ^[3].

Frequently asked questions

How much does dog boarding cost in Pennsylvania?

Nightly boarding rates typically run $25-$85 depending on dog size, region, and whether it's basic kennel boarding or a higher-service daycare-boarding hybrid. Pennsylvania doesn't set boarding prices; the state regulates facility standards and licensing under 7 Pa. Code Chapter 21, not what operators charge customers.

How do you register a dog in Pennsylvania?

Individual dog registration (a "dog license") happens through your county treasurer's office once a dog turns three months old, renewed annually, generally in the $6.50-$8.50 range for an unaltered dog depending on the county. This is separate from a business-level kennel license, which comes from the state Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement.

How do you get a dog license in PA?

Apply through your county treasurer's office or PA's online dog licensing portal, providing proof of rabies vaccination and your dog's basic info. Licenses are required annually once a dog is three months old under Pennsylvania's Dog Law, 3 Pa.C.S. Chapter 20, and this is different from the kennel license a business needs.

How do you get papers for a dog?

"Papers" usually means registry documentation (AKC or similar), obtained by registering a litter through the breeder who owns the sire and dam, then registering individual puppies under that litter number. This has no connection to state kennel licensing; it's a separate registry process run by private breed organizations, not any government agency.

How can I get papers for my dog if I don't know the breeder?

Without documentation connecting your dog to a registered sire and dam, most registries won't retroactively issue papers for an adult dog. Some breed clubs offer DNA-based parentage verification if you can locate potential parent dogs, but there's no guaranteed path; contact the relevant registry (AKC, UKC, etc.) directly for their specific policy.

How do you become a dog breeder legally in Pennsylvania?

You generally need three approvals depending on scale: local zoning clearance for a kennel use, a state kennel license from PA's Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement once you cross the Dog Law's kennel-size thresholds, and a USDA/APHIS license if you sell wholesale or sight-unseen and keep more than four breeding females.

What is the PA kennel license fee schedule?

Fees scale by kennel class and dog capacity, generally ranging from roughly $50 at the smallest tier to over $1,000 for the largest commercial classes. Exact current fees are set by the PA Department of Agriculture and periodically amended, so confirm the live fee schedule before filing your application.

Do I need a kennel license for a small home-based dog daycare?

It depends on how many dogs you house and whether you're boarding overnight versus daycare-only during business hours. Pennsylvania's kennel license thresholds are based on Dog Law's kennel classes and dog counts, not simply whether money changes hands, so check your specific numbers against 3 Pa.C.S. Chapter 20 or ask the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement directly.

Does a PA kennel license replace the need for zoning approval?

No. The state kennel license and local zoning approval are entirely separate. PDA can issue you a kennel license without your township ever weighing in, but if your municipal zoning ordinance doesn't allow a kennel use on your parcel, you can still be shut down locally even with a valid state license.

How much does it cost to get a USDA breeder license?

USDA/APHIS license fees for Class A breeders are set by regulation and vary by license type and the number of animals; check APHIS's current fee schedule directly, since exact dollar amounts are federally set and periodically updated. The bigger cost driver is usually meeting the Animal Welfare Act's facility standards under 9 CFR Part 3, not the license fee itself.

What's the difference between a kennel license and registering a puppy's papers?

A kennel license is a government permit (state, sometimes plus federal USDA) that authorizes you to legally operate a kennel business. Registry papers (AKC, UKC, etc.) are a private organization's pedigree documentation for an individual dog. You can have one without the other; they solve completely different problems.

How many dogs can I have before I need a PA kennel license?

Pennsylvania's Dog Law sets kennel license thresholds by class and purpose, with 26 or more dogs over four months old generally triggering a license requirement, though smaller commercial operations tied to sale or paid boarding can require one at lower counts too. Confirm your specific situation against 3 Pa.C.S. Chapter 20 or with the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement.

Sources

1. Pennsylvania General Assembly, Dog Law: Statutory basis for kennel classes, licensing thresholds, dog license requirements, and warden inspection authority
2. Pennsylvania Code, Title 7, Chapter 21 (Dogs): Kennel facility physical standards: space per dog, sanitation, ventilation, temperature control
3. PA Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement Forms: Form DOG-110 kennel license application and required attachments
4. PA Department of Agriculture, Dog Licensing: Individual dog license requirement at three months of age and county-issued licensing process
5. USDA APHIS, Animal Welfare Act Licensing for Breeders: USDA license threshold of more than four breeding females and the retail/face-to-face sale exemption
6. eCFR, Title 9 Part 3 (Animal Welfare, Standards): Federal facility standards under the Animal Welfare Act applicable to USDA-licensed breeders