Auburn, WA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Auburn follows Washington State RCW 16.30 (Dangerous Wild Animals), which flatly prohibits private ownership, possession, breeding, sale, or transfer of potentially dangerous wild animals. That includes all big cats (lions, tigers, cougars, leopards), bears, wolves and wolf-hybrids classified as non-domestic, non-human primates, venomous reptiles, large constricting snakes, crocodilians, and a defined schedule of other species. Pre-existing animals lawfully owned before 2007 can be grandfathered with USDA registration and strict containment requirements. Auburn City Code 6.02 layers local enforcement onto the state list and prohibits keeping any animal that poses a public safety threat. Small exotics that are not listed and not dangerous (ferrets, reptiles under size limits, small birds, rodents, aquarium fish) are generally allowed subject to the ACC 18.31.220 permitted-animal framework. Auburn code enforcement works with WDFW for wildlife enforcement and with Animal Control for domestic exotic pets.