I know this is an older post but I would also note for any one like me who stumbles upon it: Alameda County's Municipal Code States:

5.24.030 - Kennel license required. Every person, firm or corporation owning or controlling a kennel within the unincorporated territory of the county shall, within ten days after commencing to keep or maintain a kennel, and each year thereafter on the anniversary date of such license, procure from the director of field services a kennel license.

The key here is that this applies only to unincorporated territory. Most cities in the county are incorporated. Only Ashland ¤ Castlewood ¤ Castro Valley ¤ Cherryland ¤ Fairview ¤ Happy Valley ¤ Hillcrest Knolls ¤ San Lorenzo ¤ Sunol are listed as unincorporated at the time of this post. The others fall to their City Code. Oakland has rules against keeping or boarding more than 5 dogs within 100 ft of a residence, church, etc; but, as long as you do not take more than 5 dogs (including your own) overnight then as I understand it the law wouldn't apply to you - at least as I interpret it.

The CA Bill has not fully passed it still needs concurrence by the State Senate Assembly from what I read here: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160SB945 (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/fa...) It sets standards for the care but does not require a license, only that if a person violates the guidelines they could be fined. The guidelines are geared more towards large dog hotel facilities and not in home care - but still set practical guidelines anyone should follow (i.e. don't crate to dogs together unless the owner requests it, keep the premises clean and well lit).