BMC 7.12.100 requires a permit from animal control to own or maintain ANY wild or exotic animal in Bellingham; the annual permit fee is $20 per approved location. The permit issues only when public safety is not at risk and proper enclosures exist; facilities are subject to inspection on 24-hour notice. BMC 7.12.100 specifically prohibits private possession of lions, tigers, bears, gorillas, lynx, cougars, jaguars, venomous snakes, coyotes, and other species native to Washington (except as licensed under state law). Washington's statewide Dangerous Wild Animal Act (Chapter 16.30 RCW, effective 2007) independently prohibits new acquisitions of most big cats, bears, wolves, primates, and venomous reptiles.
Bellingham has a city-specific exotic-animal permit framework in BMC 7.12.100 (Exotic and/or wild animal - Permit required). The provisions are: (1) PERMIT REQUIRED - it is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or business to own or maintain any wild or exotic animal without a permit from the animal control authority. (2) ISSUANCE STANDARD - a permit will issue only if it can be demonstrated that public safety is not at risk and that proper animal enclosures exist to ensure the public's safety. (3) INSPECTION - facilities and enclosures are subject to inspection at any time upon at least 24 hours' notice; failure to submit to inspection is grounds for permit revocation. (4) ANNUAL FEE - $20 per approved location regardless of the number of animals at that location. (5) ABSOLUTE PROHIBITIONS - no person shall be permitted to own, harbor, or maintain any LION, TIGER, BEAR, GORILLA, LYNX, COUGAR, JAGUAR, VENOMOUS SNAKE, COYOTE, or any other species NATIVE to Washington except as licensed under state law. (6) CIRCUS/ZOO EXEMPTION - circuses and zoos staying within the city no more than 30 days are exempt provided proper safeguards are taken and the animal control authority is notified. (7) WOLF/WOLF HYBRIDS - BMC 7.12.070 separately subjects wolves and wolf hybrids to BMC 7.08.170's dangerous-dog rules and requires segregation from domestic dogs and cats. STATE LAW LAYER: Washington Chapter 16.30 RCW - the 'Dangerous Wild Animal Act' enacted by 2007's HB 1418 (effective July 22, 2007, with grandfathering for animals lawfully possessed before that date) - prohibits new acquisition, possession, propagation, and importation of 'potentially dangerous wild animals' including all big cats (lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars), bears, wolves, primates over 35 lbs at maturity, hyenas, elephants, rhinoceroses, hippos, Cape buffalo, large constricting snakes over 12 feet, and venomous reptiles. Grandfathered owners must register annually with the local animal-control authority, carry $200,000 liability insurance, and meet caging standards. WDFW under Chapter 77.15 RCW also regulates 'deleterious exotic wildlife' such as exotic deer, wild swine, certain reptiles, and invasive species; possession of unclassified wildlife requires WDFW permits. USDA Animal Welfare Act licensing applies to commercial exotic-animal exhibitors, and the federal Big Cat Public Safety Act of 2022 prohibits private big-cat ownership nationwide. Common companion species (ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, sugar gliders, parrots, non-venomous and non-giant pet snakes such as ball pythons and corn snakes, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, aquarium fish) do not require a BMC 7.12.100 permit when lawfully possessed.
Owning or maintaining any wild or exotic animal in Bellingham without a BMC 7.12.100 permit, or refusing to submit to inspection on 24-hour notice, is a violation of the Bellingham Municipal Code with permit revocation and impoundment possible. Possession of a lion, tiger, bear, gorilla, lynx, cougar, jaguar, venomous snake, coyote, or other Washington-native species (except as licensed under state law) is categorically prohibited under BMC 7.12.100. Acquiring any 'potentially dangerous wild animal' listed in Chapter 16.30 RCW after July 22, 2007, or failing as a grandfathered owner to register annually with the local animal-control authority, maintain $200,000 liability insurance, and meet caging standards, is a Washington state violation (gross misdemeanor under RCW 16.30.040; second offense is a Class C felony). Privately owning a big cat in violation of the federal Big Cat Public Safety Act of 2022 is a federal offense regardless of state or city rules. Field enforcement: Whatcom Humane Society Animal Control 360-733-2080 in coordination with WDFW Police and WSDA.
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