King County, WA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Any owner of a pet eight weeks old and older in King County for more than thirty days shall license and register that pet, but this provision does not apply to a pet walker, sitter, or other temporary custodian, if that person can verify the pet owner's name and contact information. The license must be renewed on or before the date of expiration. B.1. Upon application and the payment of a license fee to the King County treasury according to the schedule provided in K.C.C. 11.04.035, the manager shall issue pet licenses . Shelters, veterinarians, pet shops, hobby kennels, hobby catteries, and other approved locations, under contract with the county, may issue pet licenses.

2. Pet licenses are valid for one year from issuance, expiring on the last day of the twelfth month. There is no proration of any license fees. Renewal licenses retain the original expiration period whether renewed before, on or after their respective renewal months.

3. Juvenile licenses may be obtained in lieu of an unaltered pet license for pets from eight weeks to six months old.

4. King County residents sixty-five years old or older may purchase a discounted pet license for their altered pets maintained at the registered owner's registered address. However, residents sixty-five years old or older who previously obtained a special permanent license for their pet or pets are not be required to purchase a new license for their permanently licensed animals.