Opening a Dog Grooming Salon in Québec

Opening a salon, in a shop, at home or in a van, takes a few administrative steps. This article goes through them in order, from official pages accessed on October 19, 2026. It is general information: your accountant, your municipality and MAPAQ have the final word on your case.

Registering your business

A person running a sole proprietorship must register with the Registraire des entreprises within 60 days of starting operations if the business name does not include their last and first name. For example, “Happy Paws Grooming” must be registered; a fee applies to the declaration.

GST and QST: the small supplier threshold

According to Revenu Québec, you are a small supplier if your taxable supplies do not exceed $30,000 in a calendar quarter or over the four calendar quarters before it. A small supplier does not have to register for GST and QST or collect these taxes, but may choose to register.

If you exceed $30,000 in a single quarter, you stop being a small supplier right away. Once registered, your invoices must apply GST (5%) and QST (9.975%); software like Groomi applies the taxes and prints your tax numbers on the invoice.

The MAPAQ permit: only from 15 cats or dogs

A MAPAQ permit is required to own or keep 15 or more cats or dogs at the same time. MAPAQ gives the example of a boarding or grooming service that may have at least 15 cats or dogs at once. If your salon also offers boarding, the permit application states which of the two activities is the main one.

15 to 49 animals – $272 a year ($140 file opening and $132 permit).
50 animals or more – $434 a year.

Even without a permit, the general animal welfare and safety requirements apply to your salon: grooming and nails kept up, exercise for dogs, conditions of keeping.

The municipal permit

Using a shop or part of your home is a matter of municipal zoning. Two examples:

Montréal – an occupancy permit (certificate) is required to use part of your home for professional purposes. That part must have a separate outside entrance and be no larger than 50 m² or a third of the home. Fees vary by borough, for example $100 in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and $240 in Montréal-Nord.
Laval – an occupancy permit, also called an occupancy certificate, is mandatory before setting up a professional office in your home.

These pages do not mention pet grooming specifically: call your municipality before signing a lease or fitting out your basement.

Before you open

Choose the name and register the business if it does not include your first and last name.
Check the zoning and get your municipality’s occupancy permit or certificate.
Estimate your revenue and decide on GST and QST registration with your accountant.
Check whether you will keep 15 or more cats or dogs at the same time (MAPAQ permit).
Talk to a broker about liability insurance.
Prepare your documents: grooming consent, cancellation policy.

Day-to-day tools

On opening day, you need a calendar, client and pet files, appointment reminders and invoices. Groomi brings these tools together: a calendar by groomer, text reminders, online booking approved by the salon, a consent form signed online and invoicing with taxes, in one plan (see pricing).

If you work alone, see Groomi for independent groomers. If you travel to your clients, see Groomi for mobile groomers.

Sources

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