Permits & Fees

Permits

The City’s animal laws include a permitting process to ensure the humane, responsible treatment of our community’s companion animals. These permits govern areas animal related businesses as well as residential pet concerns like litter permits, excess animals, livestock and cat colonies.

It should be noted the permit process and applications may change based on policy revisions and the City of San Antonio's ordinance approval system may change legally required permit types, requirements or fees. Animal Care Services permit officers and field enforcement staff are available to answer questions throughout the permitting process.      

Please review the filing requirements below to see if you need any of the following permits. Note:No person shall operate a business in any of the animal categories listed below without a permit issued by the City of San Antonio’s Animal Care Services. Permits will be issued after an application has been submitted, subsequent inspection has been completed, and fees collected. 

FILING REQUIREMENTS 1.) Completed application 2.) Proof of current rabies vaccinations 3.) Proof that dogs or cats are microchipped 4.) Photographs of all animals 5.) Written permission by the property owners for permits wherever property is not personally owned by applicant 6.) For livestock permit- documentation from Housing and Neighborhood Services stating that the property is zone for such. 7.) For livestock and poultry: a site plan indicating location of animal housing with proximity to adjacent property structures, and property boundaries 8.) A statement of proposed operations i. For what purpose are you keeping the animals ii. Describe waste management plan 9.) Filing fees D. REVOCATION All permits issued under this chapter may be revoked by the director, or his authorized representative for violation by the holder. Revocation of the permit is accomplished by mailing to holder of permit a written notice by certified mail stating the permit is revoked. Revocation of the permit may also be accomplished by personally delivering to the holder thereof a written notice stating the permit is revoked.  

Seller's and Litter Permit

The seller's permit (pdf.) is mandatory for anyone who sells or offers for sale one (1) or more puppies and the seller's permit number must be displayed in all advertising, notices or displays of the puppies, including online postings. The litter permit (.pdf) is necessary for anyone whose female dog or cat has a litter; the permit must be obtained prior to or within ten (10) business days of the litter’s birth.

Residential Animal Permits

People seeking a cat colony permit (.pdf), excess animal permit (.pdf), or livestock permit (.pdf) will need to fill this form out.

Commercial Animal Permits

This permit will be necessary for all animal exhibits (.pdf), pet shops (.pdf), grooming shops (.pdf) and commercial kennels (.pdf) and catteries.

Horse and Carriage Business Permit

This permit will be necessary for all horse and carriage businesses. Please contact the Ground Transportation Unit of the San Antonio Police Department at 210.207.7482 for more information.

Fee Schedule

Check out the ACS Fee Schedule for a price listing of ACS services.

Pet License