Federal Way, WA Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

FWRC 9.09.020 makes it unlawful to keep, maintain or operate a kennel, pet shop, pet daycare, cattery or shelter in the city without first obtaining a valid permit from the Seattle-King County Department of Public Health under Chapter 8.03 of the King County Board of Health Code. That permit is required in addition to any city business registration under Chapter 12.05 FWRC, and both the health permit and its certificate of inspection must be conspicuously displayed at the establishment. Once permitted, a pet shop is bound by the sanitation and welfare standards in FWRC 9.18.150 through 9.18.180: it must report to the animal services authority quarterly on every dog and cat given away or sold, admit health and animal services inspectors on reasonable request, keep an employee on duty whenever the shop is open to care for animals on display, never knowingly sell a sick or injured animal, and give every purchaser written care and feeding instructions.

Facilities must have sound, injury-resistant housing, adequate heating/cooling and ventilation, moisture-resistant interior surfaces, and outdoor enclosures built to contain animals and drain properly. Violating the sanitation or general-conditions standards is grounds for license revocation or denial under FWRC 9.18.150(3).