Auburn, WA Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- ACC 6.01.100
- Trigger
- Second impound of un-microchipped pet in 24 months
- Who orders it
- Animal control officer
- Cost
- Paid by owner at redemption
- Appeal window
- 72 hours of impound notice
- Appeal cost
- $100.00 fee + $250.00 deposit
Summary
Auburn will not release a repeat-impounded dog or cat until it is microchipped. Under ACC 6.01.100(A), if an un-microchipped dog or cat has been impounded before in the last 24 months, the animal control officer can order microchipping before redemption, at the owner's cost.
A. No un-microchipped impounded dog or cat that has previously been impounded within the preceding 24-month period may be redeemed by any person until the animal is microchipped pursuant to an order of the animal control officer directing the microchipping. The microchipping shall be accomplished by the shelter or by any duly licensed veterinarian. In all cases, the veterinarian fees and costs shall be paid at the time of redemption by the animal's owner or person redeeming the animal. C. Exceptions to Mandatory Microchipping or Alteration. The alteration shall not be required upon a showing of proof of alteration from a licensed veterinarian. The microchipping or alteration shall not be required if the owner or other person redeeming the animal provides a written statement from a licensed veterinarian stating that and explaining why the microchip, spay or neuter procedure would be harmful to the animal.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 7023, passed July 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
100 targets repeat impounds rather than imposing a blanket microchip mandate on every pet. Subsection A says no un-microchipped impounded dog or cat that was already impounded once in the preceding 24 months may be redeemed until an animal control officer orders it microchipped; the shelter or any licensed veterinarian performs the procedure, and the owner or person redeeming the animal pays the veterinary fees and costs at redemption. A related mandatory-alteration trigger sits in subsection B: an unaltered dog or cat impounded twice in 24 months must be spayed or neutered before release, on the same cost basis.
Subsection C carves out exceptions: no microchip or alteration order applies if the owner proves the animal is already altered, or provides a licensed veterinarian's written statement that the procedure would be harmful to the animal. 00 cash deposit to cover the city's impound, microchipping and alteration costs regardless of outcome; the police chief's decision is final short of King County Superior Court injunctive relief. 050 already assumes microchips matter for notice: the city has no duty to identify an impounded animal's owner if it is not wearing a license or is not microchipped.
Violations & Fines
An owner who does not comply with a microchipping order cannot redeem the animal; unredeemed animals become shelter property after 72 hours and may be euthanized or disposed of after 120 hours under ACC 6.01.070. Appealing the order costs a nonrefundable $100.00 fee plus a $250.00 cash deposit, and the owner remains liable for impound and procedure costs no matter how the appeal is decided (ACC 6.01.100(D)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Auburn require every dog or cat to be microchipped?
Who pays for the microchip Auburn orders?
Can an owner contest Auburn's microchip order?
Is there any exception to Auburn's microchip order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Auburn
Compare Auburn to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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Microchipping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle microchipping.