Boarding kennels licence for dogs (England)
If you board dogs overnight in purpose-built kennels as a business, you need a boarding kennels licence from your local council under the 2018 Regulations. Kennels have detailed accommodation rules, plus a full set of written procedures the council expects on application. This page explains the requirements and how to prepare your pack.
Do you need a boarding kennels licence?
You need a licence to run a commercial boarding kennels for dogs. The activity is licensed under the general conditions (Schedule 2) and the kennel conditions (Schedule 4 Part 2). It covers overnight boarding in kennel units, not day care or home boarding.
What the council checks
Inspection covers the kennels themselves and your written systems, including:
- Kennel units of a sleeping area plus an attached run, meeting minimum sizes (a new-build sleeping area is at least 1.9 square metres), each numbered, with a roofed run and a place to hide.
- Staffing of no more than 25 dogs per person, with the higher standard one full-time member per 15 dogs.
- A difficult-dog handling policy, muzzles and a catching device on site.
- Written procedures, emergency and fire plans, risk assessments, isolation and a vet-agreed healthcare plan.
- Documented out-of-hours checks for the higher standard.
The documents you need to submit
Beyond the application form, fee, insurance and a scale plan of the kennels, the council expects a full written pack. PetApproved builds it from a questionnaire: operating procedures, a kennel accommodation and bedding policy, emergency and fire plans, risk assessments, difficult-dog handling, cleaning and isolation, the vet letter and the kennel register, each mapped to its condition.
Common questions
Do kennels need planning permission?
Almost always, as a commercial use, and often a noise assessment too. Confirm with your council before you invest; our checklist flags it.
What size do the kennels need to be?
Each unit is a sleeping area plus an attached run, meeting set minimum sizes (a new-build sleeping area is at least 1.9 square metres, and 2.85 square metres for the higher standard), with at least half the run roofed.
Do I need a licence if I earn under £1,000 a year?
Possibly not. If your trading income stays below the HMRC £1,000 trading allowance you may not need a licence, but your local council has the final say, and earning more than £1,000 does not automatically make you a business either. If in doubt, ask your council.
What happens if I operate without a licence?
Running a licensable animal activity without a licence is a criminal offence under the 2018 Regulations, with an unlimited fine and/or up to six months in prison. It is not worth the risk.
How long does the licence last?
One, two or three years. Meeting the higher standards earns a longer licence and a higher star rating (1 to 5), which means fewer renewals and a lower long-run cost.