King County, WA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

for poultry, chicken, and squab, ten animals per lot on sites less than thirty-five thousand square feet, with one additional animal allowed per additional half acre, up to a maximum of twenty animals. Roosters are not allowed in the urban area; and

b. for all other small animals:

(1) on sites of less than twenty thousand square feet, three per dwelling unit; (2). on sites of between twenty thousand and thirty-five thousand square feet, five per dwelling unit; and (3). on sites greater than thirty-five thousand square feet, one additional small animal per dwelling unit for each one-half acre of site area over thirty-five thousand square feet up to a maximum of twenty.

2. Unaltered animals kept outdoors shall be kept on a leash or in a confined area, except as otherwise allowed under K.C.C. chapter 11.04 for a hobby kennel, hobby cattery, or under King County Board of Health Code chapter 8.03 for a commercial kennel or commercial cattery.

C. Unless otherwise allowed for a facility licensed under King County Board of Health Code chapter 8.03 or K.C.C. chapter 11.04, the total number of unaltered adult cats and dogs per dwelling unit shall not exceed three.

D. Small animals considered to be household pets shall be treated as other small animals under subsection E. of this section when they are kept for breeding, boarding or training.