Mason County, WA Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)
Key Facts
- Scope
- Only declared dangerous/potentially dangerous dogs
- Requirement
- Micro-chip tag by licensed veterinarian
- Potentially dangerous fee
- $50 license, $25 annual renewal
- Dangerous dog fee
- $100 license, $50 annual renewal
- Licensing authority
- County sheriff (animal control authority)
- Noncompliance penalty
- $250-$500 civil penalty plus confiscation
Summary
Mason County does not require every pet dog to carry a microchip. But once the county sheriff's animal control authority formally declares a dog potentially dangerous or dangerous, the owner cannot get the required license without a micro-chip identification tag placed into the animal by a licensed veterinarian, plus proper confinement and a current photograph.
(f)The animal control authority (county sheriff) shall issue a potentially dangerous dog license to the owner of a potentially dangerous dog if the owner presents to the animal control authority sufficient evidence of:(1)Proper confinement for the potentially dangerous dog.(2)A micro-chip identification tag placed into the animal by a licensed veterinarian.(3)A current photograph of the animal.(g)The license fee for each potentially dangerous dog to be licensed under this section is fifty dollars. ... (f)The animal control authority shall issue a dangerous dog license to the owner of a dangerous dog if the owner presents to the animal control authority sufficient evidence of: ... (4)A micro-chip identification tag placed into the animal by a licensed veterinarian;(5)A current photograph of the animal.(g)The license fee for each dangerous dog to be licensed under this section is one hundred dollars.
Full Breakdown
Mason County Code § 4.08.060(f) sets the licensing conditions for a dog the animal control authority has declared potentially dangerous: the animal control authority (county sheriff) must issue a potentially dangerous dog license once the owner shows proof of proper confinement, a micro-chip identification tag placed into the animal by a licensed veterinarian, and a current photograph of the animal. Subsection (g) sets the fee at fifty dollars, with a twenty-five dollar annual renewal due by January 31st. The parallel dangerous dog license under MCC 4.08.070(f) carries the same micro-chip and photograph requirements, on top of a proper enclosure and a $50,000 surety bond or liability insurance policy; its license fee is one hundred dollars with a fifty dollar annual renewal.
Both declarations flow from MCC 4.08.060(a) and 4.08.070(a), which let the animal control authority act on a citizen complaint, a dog bite report, an officer's own observation, or other substantial evidence. There is no freestanding microchip ordinance for dogs that have not been declared potentially dangerous or dangerous; outside that process, Mason County's animal code does not require an identification chip. Owners who fail to obtain the required license, including its microchip proof, face a $250 civil penalty for a potentially dangerous dog or $500 for a dangerous dog under MCC 4.08.080(b) and (c), and the animal is subject to immediate confiscation.
Violations & Fines
Failing to secure the microchip-backed license after a potentially dangerous dog declaration draws a $250 civil penalty under MCC 4.08.080(b) and immediate confiscation of the animal; the same failure for a declared dangerous dog draws a $500 civil penalty under subsection (c). An impounded, unlicensed dog also accrues a $10 per day civil penalty and may be destroyed after ten days under MCC 4.08.080(d).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mason County require all dogs to be microchipped?
Who declares a dog dangerous in Mason County?
What does the potentially dangerous dog license cost?
What happens if I skip the microchip and license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mason County
Compare Mason County to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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