Pet grooming licence in Dubai, salon or van
A pet grooming licence in Dubai needs Dubai Municipality to approve the salon or the van, and both have set specifications.
- Usual route
- Usually mainland
- Extra approval
- Municipality veterinary
- AML
- Standard bank checks
A pet grooming licence in Dubai is a DET licence with a grooming activity, approved by Dubai Municipality's Veterinary Control Section. The salon needs at least 30 square metres, with a grooming room of 9 or more. A grooming van follows its own specification, built around a rear cabin sealed off from the driver.
- Covers
- Bathing, clipping, nail trimming and coat care for pets
- Not covered
- Veterinary treatment, boarding, training and selling pet supplies
- Premises
- A salon of at least 30 square metres, or a fitted van
- Timeline
- Weeks, set by the fit-out and the municipality inspection
Grooming and its neighbours
Grooming is its own activity, separate from selling pet supplies or treating animals. It covers the salon and a grooming van.
Inside this licence
Outside this licence
- Covered by Veterinary clinic
- Covered by Pet shop
- Covered by a pet training activity
Tick what you plan to do. The result shows here.
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Groomers often sell shampoos and accessories at the counter, so we add a retail activity before opening when shelves are part of the plan.
Salon, van or both
Pet owners want grooming close to home. Most salons and vans therefore serve mainland communities on a DET licence.
| If most of your clients are | Likely route | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pet owners in a nearby community | Mainland (DET) | DET licenses the salon and Dubai Municipality approves the unit |
| Home visits by grooming van | Mainland (DET) | The van works across Dubai and is approved by the municipality |
| Pet shops and vets referring clients | Mainland (DET) | Referral partners sit in the same communities as your salon |
A free zone company grooming pets in residential communities needs either its own mainland company or a DET branch licence. The branch follows Executive Council Resolution 11 of 2025. Pet owners' fees are not QFZP qualifying income.
Three questions. The closest row is marked in the table above.
Your likely route shows here.
Approval from the veterinary section
DET issues the trade licence. Dubai Municipality's Veterinary Control Section then inspects the salon or van, down to the microchip reader and the size of the grooming table.
Before the licence
- Trade name and initial approvalDET
The licence
- Trade licence with grooming activityDET
After the licence
- Salon approved for groomingDubai Municipality Veterinary Control Section
- Grooming van approved, if usedDubai Municipality Veterinary Control Section
- Groomers' occupational health cardsDubai health authorities
- Corporate bank accountThe bank
A grooming van goes through the same section's approval separately.
Is the unit big enough for grooming?
Dubai Municipality sets a minimum floor area for a grooming salon. Move the slider to the size of the unit you are looking at.
The grooming room needs a bath with barriers and a stainless table of set size, so we check the layout as well as the area.
30 sq m, Dubai Municipality's minimum for a grooming salon
Below the lineToo small for a grooming salon. A larger unit, or a fitted grooming van, is the way to start.
At or above itLarge enough, provided at least 9 sq m is set aside as the grooming room with a bath.
Move the slider to place your figure against the line.
Grooming takings and the bank
Bank viewStandard; card takings, packages and a van purchase
Grooming takings arrive mostly by card, often as prepaid packages for regular clients. The early questions come from the outlay, since a fitted van or a salon fit-out is paid for before the first booking.
A signed lease registered in Ejari, or the van's purchase papers, shows the bank where that money went.
Pet grooming setups that need a rethink
A shop unit below the minimum
Small retail units look ideal for a neighbourhood groomer. Below 30 square metres, the municipality cannot approve the salon. By then the lease is usually signed.
A delivery van with a tub inside
Converting a cheap delivery van rarely works, because the municipality applies every salon rule inside the van as well as its own vehicle rules. The cages and tools must be stainless, and the shaving tools sterilised after each use.
Keeping a few dogs overnight
Boarding is a separate activity with its own premises approval. A salon that starts keeping pets overnight is working outside its licence from the first stay.
Grooming licence questions
A question about your plan? Describe your pet grooming plan and an advisor replies on WhatsApp.
Ask on WhatsAppHow much does a pet grooming licence cost in Dubai?
How long does a pet grooming licence take in Dubai?
Does a pet grooming salon need Dubai Municipality approval?
Can I run a mobile pet grooming van in Dubai?
Can a pet grooming business use a free zone licence in Dubai?
How to start a pet grooming business in Dubai?
Can I run a dog grooming business from home in Dubai?
Can a grooming salon also board pets in Dubai?
Can I buy a used pet grooming van in Dubai?
Related pages
- Pet shop licence in DubaiSelling pet food and accessories needs little beyond a DET licence.
Veterinary clinic licence in DubaiDubai Municipality licenses the clinic by category.
Dubai mainland company setupDubai mainland company formation with a DET licence: trade across the UAE, bid for government tenders and hold 100% ownership for most activities.
Will your unit or van pass inspection?
A floor plan or the van spec is enough to see whether it passes and which activities to list.
On the call
- Grooming room, bath and table
- Retail shelves or overnight boarding
