Bowling Green, KY Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- Grooming/boarding/kenneling >6 cats/dogs for profit
- Issuing agency
- Neighborhood and Community Services Dept
- Permit term
- January 1 to December 31, renewed annually
- Cost
- No fee for application, issuance or inspection
- Inspection
- Required by Animal Control Officer, reasonable notice
- Fine for violation
- $200 / $400 / $800 by offense
Summary
A Bowling Green property that grooms, boards or kennels more than six cats and dogs at one time for profit needs a Multiple Animal Permit from Neighborhood and Community Services under Sec. 5-1.06. The Animal Control Officer must find the facility adequate before issuing it, annual renewal runs on the calendar year, and there is no permit fee.
b. Multiple Animal Permits shall be issued only if it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Animal Control Officer that the property where the animals are kept is adequate for such animals. ... ... c. Multiple Animal Permits required under this Section shall cover the period from January 1 through December 31, or part thereof each calendar year. The permit shall be renewed on or before the first day of January of each year, or obtained by the first day of the month following acquisition of multiple animals. There shall be no cost for application or issuance of Multiple Animal Permit, or for required inspections. ... ... f. All premises for which a Multiple Animal Permit is on file shall allow inspection by the Animal Control Officer to ensure compliance with all regulations of this Section, and requirements of this Chapter. Failure to allow inspection during reasonable hours and with adequate notice shall result in issuance of a Notice of Violation, or citation and fine as listed in this Chapter.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 5-1.06(a) covers any property that 'for profit keeps, breeds, harbors, boards, grooms or kennels' more than six cats and/or dogs at one time, so a commercial grooming operation crossing that threshold falls squarely under the Multiple Animal Permit rather than a separate grooming license. Sec. 5-1.06(b) requires the Animal Control Officer to be satisfied the property is adequate, including veterinary care, current rabies vaccinations for every animal on site, adequate shelter and housing facilities, and a cap of ten dogs or cats per primary enclosure, before written permission is granted.
Sec. 5-1.06(c) sets the permit period as January 1 through December 31 each year, renewable by the first of January, with no cost for application, issuance, or the inspections that go with it. Sec. 5-1.06(f) requires every permitted premises to allow the Animal Control Officer to inspect during reasonable hours with adequate notice; refusing inspection itself draws a Notice of Violation or citation. Sec. 5-1.06(d) lets the Code Enforcement and Nuisance Board revoke or suspend a groomer's permit for cause once a citation issues, and Sec. 5-1.06(g) makes operating without the required permit, after notice, a separate citable offense.
Violations & Fines
Grooming, boarding or kenneling more than six animals for profit without the permit, or refusing the required inspection, is a civil fine of $200 for a first offense, $400 for a second within five years at the same property, and $800 for a third or greater, doubled if the Code Enforcement and Nuisance Board hears a contested citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a pet groomer need a permit in Bowling Green?
What does the city check before issuing a groomer's permit?
Can the city inspect a licensed grooming business?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bowling Green
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