Whatcom County, WA Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing zone
- Small Town Commercial, Point Roberts Special District
- Kennel cap
- Up to six animals accessory to grooming use
- Permit type
- Conditional use approval required, not by-right
- Max fine
- $1,000 per day under WCC § 20.94.030
- Remission window
- 20 calendar days to request penalty remission
Summary
In Whatcom County's Point Roberts Special District, WCC § 20.72.154(2) allows animal groomers as a conditional use in the Small Town Commercial (STC) zone, but only with accessory kennels capped at six animals. Stand-alone kennels are otherwise banned in the STC zone under § 20.72.204(2) unless they qualify under this groomer exception.
In the Small Town Commercial District: (1) Hotels, motels, and timeshare condominiums. (2) Animal groomers and accessory kennels for up to six animals. (3) Recreational vehicle parks meeting the requirements of WCC § 20.80.950 (Mobile home and recreational vehicle park standards). (4) Up to three storage containers or similar temporary storage units per lot if accessory to an approved commercial use on the same lot. ... § 20.72.204. Prohibited uses. ... The following uses are prohibited in the Small Town Commercial Zone District: (1) Self-service storage facilities. (2) Kennels, except as allowed pursuant to WCC § 20.72.154(2).
Full Breakdown
72. 950 standards, and up to three accessory storage containers. ' The six-animal kennel cap is the operative limit: it covers on-site boarding accessory to the grooming operation, not a general kennel. ' A groomer that boards more than six animals, or a facility that is really running a boarding kennel under a grooming label, falls outside the exception and into the prohibited-use category. Outside the STC zone within Point Roberts, or outside Point Roberts altogether, this specific conditional-use pathway does not apply, and a groomer would need to check the permitted/conditional use tables for whichever zone district the property sits in.
Violations & Fines
Operating a groomer/kennel without the required conditional-use approval, or exceeding the six-animal cap, is a zoning violation enforced under WCC Chapter 20.94. The county issues a notice of violation and can add a notice of penalty; each day of a continuing violation is a separate civil offense punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 per day under § 20.94.030. Owners get 20 calendar days to apply for remission of the penalty, and related permits can be suspended or revoked under § 20.94.070.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a pet-grooming business in unincorporated Whatcom County?
How many animals can a grooming business board on-site?
What happens if a groomer operates without the conditional-use permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Whatcom County
Compare Whatcom County to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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