Kent follows RCW 16.30 which prohibits private possession of dangerous wild animals including big cats, bears, wolves, primates, elephants, and venomous reptiles. Legal pre-2007 owners grandfathered for life of animal.
Washington enacted the Dangerous Wild Animal Act in 2007 (RCW 16.30). The law makes it illegal for a private person to own, possess, keep, harbor, bring into the state, or have custody or control of a potentially dangerous wild animal. The list includes lions, tigers, captive-bred cougars, jaguars, cheetahs, leopards, wolves excluding wolf-hybrids, bears, hyenas, non-human primates, elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, certain crocodilians over 6 feet, and venomous snakes. Kent applies RCW 16.30 directly and enforces through Regional Animal Services of King County and Kent Police. Legal possessors prior to July 22, 2007 may keep their animal for its natural life but cannot acquire more, breed them, or transfer ownership except to a zoo, sanctuary, or wildlife rehabilitator. Permitted exceptions exist for AZA-accredited zoos, licensed research facilities, licensed wildlife rehabilitators, and veterinary hospitals. Common small exotic pets (ferrets, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, non-venomous reptiles, chinchillas, parrots) are legal.
Illegal possession is a gross misdemeanor under RCW 16.30.030. The animal is subject to confiscation and the owner liable for all costs of care and relocation.
Kent, WA
Kent decibel limits follow WAC 173-60 and KCC 8.05 using EDNA zones. Residential receiving limit is 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night. Commercial sources are cappe...
Kent, WA
Kent industrial sources are capped at 70 dBA day and 65 dBA night at another industrial property, but only 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night when received at a res...
Kent, WA
Commercial trucks over 10,000 pounds GVWR generally cannot park on Kent residential streets except for active loading. Warehouse districts and truck routes h...
Kent, WA
Kent follows Washington State Building Code EV-ready requirements for new multifamily and commercial buildings. Public chargers exist at Kent Station and sev...
Kent, WA
Kent driveway aprons require Public Works approval under KCC Title 6. New or widened driveways need a right-of-way construction permit, and vehicles must not...
Kent, WA
Kent has no city requirement to split shared fence costs with a neighbor. Washington common law controls boundary fences. Survey the property line before bui...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how other cities in King County handle exotic pets.
See how Kent's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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