Washington County, OR Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Threshold
- 10+ animals and solicits donations
- Required license
- State license, OAR 603-015-0085
- Violation class
- Class C civil infraction
- Inspections
- Regular inspections by enforcement officer
- Incentive
- Dog license fee waived for adoptable rescue dogs
- Geographic scope
- Unincorporated Washington County only
Summary
Any animal rescue entity operating in unincorporated Washington County, including a sanctuary, shelter, humane society or boarding kennel holding ten or more animals and soliciting donations, must hold a state animal rescue entity license under OAR 603-015-0085 before starting operations, per WCC 6.04.175.
(1)Any animal rescue entity operating, in whole or in part, in Washington County shall obtain an animal rescue entity license from the State of Oregon pursuant to OAR 603-015-0085 prior to beginning operations.(2)The fee for obtaining an individual dog license will be waived for dogs kept and made available for adoption by a currently licensed animal rescue entity.(3)Animal rescue entities are required to provide proof of current rabies vaccination for each dog over six months of age that is owned by or kept at the animal rescue entity upon the request of any enforcement officer.(4)Animal rescue entity licenses must be kept current while the animal rescue entity is in operation.(5)An animal rescue entity license does not in any way exempt the holder from their responsibility of complying with any other provision of Washington County Code, Washington County Community Development Code, zoning or permitting requirements, or other applicable law, unless specifically provided for by law.(6)A violation of WCC 6.04.175 is a Class C civil infraction.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Community Development Code: Supplement 2 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 25).
Full Breakdown
374, that keeps, houses and maintains custody of ten or more animals and solicits or accepts donations in any form, excluding licensed veterinary facilities. 175 requires any such entity operating in whole or in part in the county to obtain an animal rescue entity license from the State of Oregon under OAR 603-015-0085 before beginning operations. That license must stay current for the life of the operation, and holding it does not excuse the entity from any other county code, Community Development Code, zoning, or permitting requirement that otherwise applies.
As an incentive, the county waives its individual dog license fee for dogs kept and made available for adoption by a currently licensed rescue entity, but the entity must still produce proof of current rabies vaccination for every dog over six months old kept on site whenever an enforcement officer asks. 135, subjects any rescue entity operating in the county to regular inspections by an enforcement officer for compliance with minimum care standards and any other criteria set by the manager or state law; refusing a reasonable inspection request is a separate violation.
Washington County Animal Services, a division of the county, administers licensing, dog redemption and adoption records, and enforcement under this chapter. Because this is county code, it reaches only the unincorporated area; a rescue operation inside Hillsboro, Beaverton, or another incorporated city in the county answers to that city's own code instead.
Violations & Fines
Operating an unlicensed animal rescue entity, or letting the state license lapse while still operating, is a Class C civil infraction under WCC 6.04.175(6). Refusing to allow a reasonable inspection under WCC 6.04.135 is a separate Class C civil infraction. Civil infractions are cited and processed through the county's Administrative Enforcement Code, WCC Chapter 1.12, with fines and an appeal path to a hearings process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a small foster-based rescue need this license?
What license does a Washington County animal rescue need?
Does the license exempt a rescue from zoning rules?
What happens if an unlicensed rescue refuses an inspection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington County
Compare Washington County to another location·View the Oregon animal ordinances overview
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