Bonita Springs, FL Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)

The Bonita Springs Code does not give groomers a separate licensing article in Chapter 8. Groomers are regulated through definitions that pull them into the commercial animal establishment rules. Sec. 8-1 defines a grooming shop as any commercial establishment where animals are bathed, clipped, plucked or otherwise groomed. It defines a commercial animal establishment as any pet shop, animal grooming shop, flea market, department store, guard dog training facility, riding school, any type of kennel, cattery, or other premises where animals are kept as part or whole of a business concern. The definition of animal care facility also names groomers, alongside veterinary facilities, boarding facilities, animal sitters, rescues, shelters and pet stores, and the definition of kennel or cattery covers premises where animals are kept for profit by boarding, grooming, buying, training, selling or letting-for-hire.

Once a shop is a commercial animal establishment, Sec. 8-27 applies. Domestic animal services can enter and inspect during reasonable hours to find violations of the chapter or state statutes, and an owner, manager or staff person must produce, on an officer's demand, records on sale or purchase of animals, veterinary care, rabies certification, health certification, feed receipts, and business or exhibitor licenses or permits. The standards of care require adequate food, water, shelter and veterinary care, daily cleaning of cages, kennels and enclosures with clean bedding, healthful room temperature and adequate ventilation in shops, sufficient space for each animal to stand, lie down and turn around, and quarantine and veterinary examination of any animal that appears sick before it goes back with other animals.

The rabies rules run alongside. Sec. 8-19 requires dogs, cats and ferrets four months of age or older to be vaccinated, and Sec. 8-20(b) requires a county license, so a groomer handles animals that are supposed to carry both. Sec. 8-23(a) bars leaving an animal in an unattended motor vehicle without sufficient ventilation, which applies to any pet left in a vehicle outside a shop.