Kitsap County, WA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned species examples
- Lions, tigers, bears, primates, wolves, alligators
- Venomous creatures
- Any venomous or poisonous creature is banned
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine and/or 90 days jail
- Exempt operators
- Circuses, zoos, licensed trappers, welfare organizations
- Notification duty
- Exempt operators must notify animal control authority
- Jurisdiction
- Unincorporated Kitsap County only
Summary
Kitsap County makes it a misdemeanor to own or keep lions, tigers, bears, primates, cougars, wolves, coyotes, foxes, lynx, alligators, crocodiles, or any venomous or poisonous creature in the unincorporated county, with narrow exemptions for circuses, zoos, licensed trappers, animal welfare organizations, and state-registered wildlife rehabilitation centers that follow notification and safeguard rules.
(9) Possession of any Creature that is Venomous/Poisonous or Other Wild Animal. For a person to own or maintain any lion, tiger, bear, primate, cougar, mountain lion, badger, wolf, hybrid (except as provided for in Section 7.12.020), coyote, fox, lynx, alligator, crocodile, or venomous/poisonous creature, or other wild animals; provided, that circuses, zoos, licensed trappers and animal welfare organizations are exempt from this regulation if proper safeguards are taken, as required in the event permitting process, to protect the public and that the animal control authority is notified of their arrival and duration of stay in the unincorporated portion of the county. Provided further, that state-registered wildlife rehabilitation centers are exempt from this section with regard to care and rehabilitation of those wild animals that are indigenous to North America.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4864424; v0 updated 2025-12-08; through 12-08-2025).
Full Breakdown
020), coyote, fox, lynx, alligator, crocodile, or any other venomous, poisonous, or wild animal. 020. The ordinance carves out exemptions: circuses, zoos, licensed trappers, and animal welfare organizations are exempt if they take the safeguards required in the county's event permitting process to protect the public and notify the animal control authority of the animal's arrival and length of stay in the unincorporated county; and state-registered wildlife rehabilitation centers are exempt specifically for the care and rehabilitation of wild animals indigenous to North America. 050(A)(3) still apply: any nontraditional or exotic animal that a resident is otherwise allowed to keep must be housed at least fifty feet from a neighbor's residence, on top of whatever restrictions apply under Title 7.
020(24) defines a "pet" to include only animals suitable for companionship with humans, the code treats genuinely wild and dangerous species as categorically outside what any resident, hobbyist, or enthusiast may possess, regardless of licensing. These prohibitions bind unincorporated Kitsap County only.
Violations & Fines
Possessing a listed wild or venomous animal without an applicable exemption is a misdemeanor under KCC 7.14.010(a)(9), punishable under KCC 7.14.020 by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment of up to ninety days, or both. The animal control authority can impound the animal, and exempt operators such as circuses or trappers who fail to notify the authority of an animal's arrival and duration of stay lose their exemption and are exposed to the same misdemeanor charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally own a wild or exotic animal in unincorporated Kitsap County?
Are there any exceptions to Kitsap County's wild animal ban?
What penalty applies if I'm caught with a banned exotic animal in Kitsap County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kitsap County
Compare Kitsap County to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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