Federal Way, WA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

060(1) prohibits having, keeping or maintaining a live monkey (nonhuman primate), lion, tiger, bear, cougar, mountain lion, badger, wolf, coyote, fox, lynx, poisonous reptile or serpent, or any other dangerous, carnivorous, wild or exotic animal or reptile anywhere in the city. The section defines "exotic" as an animal of foreign origin not native by birth to the community, and "wild" as an animal that generally lives in its original natural state and is not normally domesticated. These animals may still enter or remain in the city if the owner obtains a permit from the animal services authority, granted only on a showing that adequate safeguards are in place to control the animal's dangerous or vicious propensities, eliminate danger to people and property, and prevent the animal from becoming a nuisance to neighbors.

060(4). The ban does not apply to someone transporting the animal through the city after notifying the chief of police of the route and timing, nor to zoos, circuses, or medical/scientific research programs that have taken adequate safeguards, with the chief of police solely deciding whether those safeguards are adequate.