Santa Fe, NM Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)

1 SFCC 1987 declares it conducive to the promotion of the health and general welfare of the inhabitants of the city to require a professional animal care permit to operate a kennel, grooming parlor, pet shop, animal training, dog walking or animal sitting business or shelter. 2 carries that intent into an operative rule requiring breeders and persons operating kennels, grooming parlors, pet shops, animal training, dog walking service, pet sitting service, circus acts or shelters to obtain a professional animal care permit from the administrator, making it unlawful to operate such a business without a current valid permit.

A current city business license must be on hand at the time of application, and the administrator inspects the grooming parlor before issuing the permit to confirm it meets the chapter's care and sanitation standards. The permit covers a single location and must be posted in a conspicuous place inside the parlor; a business with multiple locations needs a separate permit for each. 1 SFCC 1987, a grooming parlor's annual permit fee is $250, and the permit expires every December 31, renewable by February 1 the following year.

5 requires the administrator to give written notice with a deadline to fix it before the permit can be suspended or, for repeated or emergency violations, revoked, with the operator entitled to a hearing.