Utah Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements

Utah has no statewide dog breeder license. A 2023 bill (HB 359) that would have had the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food permit commercial dog breeders did not pass, and the 2024 Animal Care Amendments (HB 478) apply only to animal shelters, rescues, and sanctuaries, so Utah has no state breeder permit, fee, or inspection program. Cities and counties may apply their own licensing, inspection, and zoning rules. Some local ordinances require a kennel or hobby-kennel permit once a person keeps more than a set number of dogs; for example, one Utah city's hobby-kennel permit covers four to 10 dogs and requires an annual county kennel license and an animal-control inspection. Breeders who sell enough dogs sight-unseen (wholesale or online) may also need a federal USDA license under the Animal Welfare Act, which is separate from any state or local rule.

Because Utah has no state breeder license, there is no state application. Contact your city or county animal control office to ask whether a kennel license, hobby-kennel permit, or business license is required, and whether zoning or a conditional-use permit applies to breeding on your property. If you sell dogs wholesale or sight-unseen above the federal thresholds, apply to USDA APHIS for a federal license. Keep proof of rabies vaccination handy, since most Utah cities and counties require dogs to be vaccinated for rabies, typically by four months of age.

Utah has no state breeder license, permit, or fee. Local fees vary by city and county and are set separately for kennel licenses, hobby-kennel permits, and business licenses. At the federal level, a USDA Animal Welfare Act license costs $120 for three years, and renewal requires the same $120 fee, submitted at least 90 days before the current license expires.

Utah has no state breeder inspection program. Local governments may require their own inspections; for example, a hobby-kennel permit in one Utah city requires an annual county kennel license and an animal-control inspection before approval. Breeders who hold a federal USDA license are inspected by USDA under the Animal Welfare Act.

Utah has no state record-keeping rules for breeders; the record-keeping duties added in 2024 (Utah Code 76-9-301.9) apply only to animal shelters, rescues, and sanctuaries. Breeders should keep proof of rabies vaccination for each dog, since most Utah cities and counties require it, typically by four months of age. Breeders who hold a USDA license must also keep the records required under the federal Animal Welfare Act.

Because Utah has no state breeder license, there are no state penalties for breeding without one, although Utah's general animal cruelty law (Utah Code 76-9-301) applies to all breeders. Breeders who violate local kennel, permit, or zoning ordinances may face penalties set by their city or county, including permit denial, fines, or enforcement by animal control. Breeders who should hold a federal USDA license but do not may face federal civil or criminal penalties under the Animal Welfare Act.