King County, WA Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- K.C.C. § 11.04.070
- Applies to
- unincorporated King County only
- Report frequency
- monthly, to Regional Animal Services
- Sales ban
- none: commercial sales allowed
- Permit needed
- K.C.C. ch. 11.04 operating permit
Summary
Unincorporated King County has no ban on retail dog or cat sales: pet shops can sell commercially sourced animals. But every pet shop, animal shelter, hobby kennel, and hobby cattery must send Regional Animal Services a monthly list of every pet sold or given away.
Each animal shelter, hobby kennel, hobby cattery or pet shop shall monthly provide the manager with a list of all pets that it has given away or sold. The list must include the origin, age, sex, color, breed, altered status and, if applicable, microchip number and license number of each pet given away or sold and the new owner's name, address and, if available, email address and telephone number. (Ord. 19638 § 55, 2023: Ord. 16861 § 19, 2010: Ord. 15801 § 11, 2007: Ord. 10423 § 7, 1992: Ord. 2428 § 4, 1975: Ord. 1396 Art. II § 5, 1972).
Full Breakdown
K.C.C. § 11.04.070 requires every animal shelter, hobby kennel, hobby cattery, or pet shop in unincorporated King County to send Regional Animal Services a monthly list of every pet it sold or gave away, including each animal's origin, age, sex, color, breed, altered status, microchip number, and license number, plus the new owner's name, address, email, and phone number. There is no ordinance forcing county pet shops to sell only rescue or shelter animals. Operating a pet shop without the K.C.C. chapter 11.04 permit is a misdemeanor under K.C.C. 11.04.350. Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, and other cities run separate codes.
Violations & Fines
Failing to file the monthly sales report, or running a pet shop without the K.C.C. chapter 11.04 operating permit, is a misdemeanor under K.C.C. 11.04.350(E); the manager can also impose a civil penalty under K.C.C. 11.04.200 and 11.04.035's fee schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can King County pet shops sell commercially bred dogs and cats?
Does this rule cover Seattle pet stores?
What must the monthly report include?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in King County
Compare King County to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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