King County, WA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- K.C.C. § 11.04.230(O)
- Definition
- Off premises, not under control (§11.01.090)
- Exceptions
- Off-leash areas, training, hunting, herding, search/rescue
- Enforcement
- Impoundment plus civil penalty (§§11.04.210, .200)
- Scope
- Unincorporated county only, not Seattle
Summary
In unincorporated King County, a dog running at large, off its owner's premises and not under a competent person's control, is a public nuisance violation that can trigger a civil penalty and impoundment.
For a dog to be at large, or be at large in a pack, except in designated off-leash areas or while engaged in obedience training, lawful hunting activity, lawful organized competition, lawful training in preparation for such hunting or competition, herding livestock, or sanctioned search and rescue activities;
P. Failure to license a pet, as required by K.C.C. 11.04.030;
Q. Sell, barter, or otherwise transfer ownership of any animal without the appropriate license or permit;
R. Stake, tether, or keep any animal on public property without prior written consent of the public entity that owns the premises;
S. Fail to remove the feces of their domesticated animal from another's premises and deposit the same in an appropriate receptacle;
T. Possess an exotic animal in violation of K.C.C. 11.28.030;
U. Fail to comply with an order related to an animal designated as potentially dangerous, vicious, or dangerous;
V. Fail to timely obtain or renew a potentially dangerous registration or a dangerous animal registration;
W. Bring a potentially dangerous or dangerous animal into King County without meeting the requirements of K.C.C. 11.04.275 or 11.04.285;
X. Release any animal from any confinement, vehicle, or restraint unless the release is with the owner's permission, necessary for the animal's immediate health and safety, or undertaken by peace, animal care, or humane officers;
Full Breakdown
King County Code § 11.01.090 defines 'at large' as any animal off its owner's premises and not under the control of a competent person. Under § 11.04.230.O, letting a dog be at large, or run at large in a pack, is a public nuisance, unless the dog is in a designated off-leash area or engaged in obedience training, lawful hunting, organized competition, herding livestock, or search and rescue. Regional Animal Services officers may impound a loose dog under § 11.04.210 and assess a civil penalty under § 11.04.200. This applies only in unincorporated King County. Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, and other cities enforce their own leash laws.
Violations & Fines
Violating the at-large prohibition is a public nuisance under § 11.04.230; the manager can impound the dog under § 11.04.210 and assess a civil penalty under § 11.04.200 and the fee schedule in § 11.04.035.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does King County's leash law apply inside Seattle?
Are there any off-leash areas where dogs can run free?
What happens if my dog is caught at large?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in King County
Compare King County to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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