Kent, WA Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Zoning permit required
- From city planning department, before licensing
- Health inspection required
- Seattle-King County health dept. or KC animal control
- Licensing authority
- Animal control authority (King County contract)
- Default violation fine
- $125 class 2 civil infraction
Summary
Kent requires a grooming parlor to secure a zoning permit from the planning department and pass a Seattle-King County health department or King County animal control inspection before the animal control authority will issue an operating license under KCC 8.03.060.
A. Zoning compliance. The applicant for an original animal shelter, kennel, grooming parlor, cattery, hobby kennel, or pet shop license shall, prior to issuance of such license, present to the animal control authority any required zoning permit from the city planning department. B. Health inspection. Before an animal shelter, kennel, grooming parlor, cattery, hobby kennel, or pet shop license may be issued by the animal control authority, a certificate of inspection from the Seattle-King County health department or King County animal control division must be issued showing that the animal shelter, kennel, grooming parlor, cattery, hobby kennel, or pet shop is in compliance with hygienic standards of this chapter or other applicable ordinances or regulations.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4542, passed June 16, 2026).
Full Breakdown
060(A) requires the applicant for an original animal shelter, kennel, grooming parlor, cattery, hobby kennel, or pet shop license to present the animal control authority with any required zoning permit from the city's planning department before that license is issued. 03 or other applicable ordinances. Both steps are prerequisites to licensure, not optional add-ons, meaning a grooming parlor cannot legally open in Kent without both a planning department zoning permit and a passing health inspection on file with animal control. 010, the actual license and inspection are administered through the county's animal control division even though the requirement is written into Kent's own code.
Violations & Fines
Operating a grooming parlor without the required zoning permit or health inspection sign-off is enforceable under KCC 8.03.080(A)(3), which sets a class 2 civil infraction under RCW 7.80.120 (currently $125) for chapter violations not covered by the leash or waste-removal fine schedules, filed in Kent municipal court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a pet groomer need before opening in Kent?
Who inspects grooming parlors in Kent?
What happens if a grooming parlor skips the zoning or health step?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kent
Compare Kent to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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Pet Groomer Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle pet groomer rules.