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Chelan County, WA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing definition: § 7.40.015, "potentially dangerous wild animal"
Covers: Big cats, bears, primates, venomous snakes, crocodilians
Requirement: Certificate of registration, § 7.40.021
Enclosure standard: Secure, sized, fenced enclosure required
Notice to cure: 30 days, § 7.40.030(b)
Non-compliance outcome: Impoundment or court-ordered destruction

Summary

Unincorporated Chelan County requires anyone keeping a "potentially dangerous wild animal," a defined list running from big cats and bears to venomous snakes and crocodilians, to hold a certificate of registration from the county's animal control authority. Possessing one without that certificate under § 7.40.020(11) makes the animal a public nuisance subject to removal.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Chelan County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

“Potentially dangerous wild animal” means one of the following types of animals, whether bred in the wild or in captivity, and any or all hybrids thereof: ... Family Felidae, only lions, tigers, bobcats, captive-bred cougars, jaguars, cheetahs, and leopards; ... Family Ursidae, all bears; ... Order Primates, such as lemurs, monkeys, chimpanzees, and gorillas; ... Any potentially dangerous wild animal possessed by a person without a certificate of registration issued by the Chelan County animal control authority ... A certificate of registration to possess a potentially dangerous wild animal shall be issued by the animal control authority only upon receiving sufficient evidence that: (1) There is a secure enclosure to safely confine the animal as provided as follows: ... A potentially dangerous wild animal ... found not to be in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and therefore a public nuisance may be removed from Chelan County by Chelan County animal control. Animal control shall provide the owner with a thirty-day written notice to comply.

View official code

Full Breakdown

015 defines "potentially dangerous wild animal" with a detailed taxonomic list: within Class Mammalia it covers lions, tigers, bobcats, captive-bred cougars, jaguars, cheetahs and leopards, wolves, all bears, hyenas, rhinoceroses, primates such as monkeys and gorillas, and elephants; within Class Reptilia it covers named families of venomous snakes and lizards, sea snakes, and crocodilians such as crocodiles, alligators and caimans. S. Fish and Wildlife Service or state game department. 021 sets the standard for getting that certificate: the animal control authority may issue one only on sufficient evidence of a secure enclosure meeting detailed dimension, fencing-gauge, signage and sanitation standards spelled out for canids and felids of different sizes.

030(b): animal control gives the owner a thirty-day written notice to comply, and if the owner fails to cure the violation, the animal may be impounded at the owner's expense or a court may order its destruction.

Violations & Fines

Keeping a listed wild animal, from a big cat to a venomous snake, without a certificate of registration from Chelan County's animal control authority violates § 7.40.020(11) and makes the animal a public nuisance. Animal control must give a thirty-day written notice to comply under § 7.40.030(b); failing to cure the violation can lead to impoundment at the owner's expense or a court-ordered destruction of the animal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I own a pet tiger or wolf in unincorporated Chelan County?

Only with a certificate of registration from the county's animal control authority. Section 7.40.015 lists tigers, lions, wolves and other named species as "potentially dangerous wild animals," and § 7.40.021 requires proof of a secure, properly sized and fenced enclosure before a certificate can be issued.

What counts as a potentially dangerous wild animal under Chelan County's code?

Section 7.40.015 lists specific families and orders: big cats like lions and cougars, wolves, all bears, hyenas, rhinoceroses, primates, elephants, and named families of venomous snakes, lizards and crocodilians such as alligators and caimans. Domestic cats and other common pets are not included in the list.

What happens if I keep an unregistered wild animal?

It is declared a public nuisance under § 7.40.020(11). Animal control gives a thirty-day written notice to comply under § 7.40.030(b); if the owner does not cure the violation, the animal can be impounded at the owner's expense or a court can order it destroyed.

Sources & Official References

[1]Chelan County Code § 7.40.021, Potentially Dangerous Wild Animal Certificate

Other rules in Chelan County

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome Restrictions Dog Leash LawsSome Restrictions Chickens & LivestockSome Restrictions Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome Restrictions Breed RestrictionsSome Restrictions Wildlife Rescue PermitsFew Restrictions MicrochippingSome Restrictions Cat RulesSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: EV ChargingLight Restrictions Parking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions

All Chelan County rules

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