Kent, WA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

KCC 8.03.020(A) formally adopts several King County Code chapters by reference for enforcement inside Kent, giving them "the same force and effect as if set forth herein in full," including Chapter 11.04 Animal Care and Control, Chapter 11.12 Rabies Control, Chapter 11.20 Disposition of Fowl and Rabbits, Chapter 11.24 Stock Restricted Area, Chapter 11.28 Exotic Animals, and Chapter 11.32 Guard Dogs. Subsection (B) directs that unless context requires otherwise, every reference to "King County," "county," or "unincorporated King County" in those adopted chapters means the City of Kent, so the exotic-animal restrictions apply exactly as King County wrote them.

KCC 8.03.010 explains why: Kent contracts with King County's animal control section for animal control, sheltering, and licensing services, and that interlocal agreement is on file for public review in the city clerk's office. The contract does not strip Kent of authority to independently enforce its own code, so both King County animal control officers and Kent law enforcement officers may issue infractions for violations of the adopted chapters, filed with the Kent municipal court under KCC 8.03.080. The county code text itself is not reproduced in the Kent code; the operative King County Code, Chapter 11.28 provisions must be read directly for the specific prohibited species and permit standards.