Animal Ordinances in Bothell, WA (2026)
11 verified animal ordinances for Bothell, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Bothell, Washington, chickens are tied to lot size under BMC 12.06.140: none below 5,000 square feet, up to five on 5,000 to 7,200 square feet, and up to eight on 7,200 to 35,000 square feet. Adult roosters are prohibited, and coops follow the accessory setbacks of Chapter 12.14 BMC.
Backyard Chickens and Livestock in Bothell, WA
Some RestrictionsBothell Municipal Code § 12.06.140
e. The keeping of chickens shall comply with the following: (1) The number of chickens allowed shall be based upon the following: (A) No chickens may be kept on properties less than 5,000 square feet in area or on properties within the R-M4, DT, DN, DC, GDC, 522 and R-AC zoning classifications, except for those properties within the aforementioned zones which contain one single-family residence...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Bothell, Washington, any dog running at large, including any dog not controlled by leash, is a nuisance under BMC 6.16.010(B) unless securely contained by a kennel, private fenced area or a city-designated off leash dog access area. In parks, a leash, tether or chain cannot exceed eight feet. First violations cost $100.00.
Bothell, WA Dog Leash and Running at Large Rules
Some RestrictionsBothell Municipal Code § 6.16.010
Nuisances are violations of this title and shall be defined as follows: ... B. Any dog running at large within the city including any dog which is not controlled by leash unless securely contained by a kennel, private fenced area, or public area designated by the city as an off leash dog access area; C. Any domesticated animal, whether licensed or not, which runs at large in any park, or enters...
Breed Restrictions
Bothell's dog rules in BMC Chapter 6.14 turn on conduct, not breed. The animal control authority can declare a dog potentially dangerous on probable cause, the owner can appeal to the City of Bothell hearing examiner, and a declared dog must be fenced or restrained. Licensing such a dog requires a surety bond or liability policy of at least $50,000.
Bothell, WA Potentially Dangerous Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsBothell Municipal Code § 6.14.010
A. Declaration of a Dog as Potentially Dangerous. The animal control authority may declare a dog to be a potentially dangerous dog, and place restrictions on such dog, if the animal control authority has probable cause to believe that the dog falls within the definition of “potentially dangerous dog” set forth in BMC 6.04.020. ... C. Appeal. ... Appeals of potentially dangerous dog declarations...
Beekeeping
In the City of Bothell, Washington, hobby beekeeping needs no city permit under BMC 12.06.190(B)(4), but lots of 10,000 square feet or less are capped at four hives, larger lots add one hive per 2,500 square feet up to 10, and each hive sits 25 feet from property lines unless an elevation or fence exception applies.
Hobby Beekeeping Rules in Bothell, WA
Some RestrictionsBothell Municipal Code § 12.06.190
4. The minimum requirements for hobby beekeeping are as follows: a. Required Review Process. No permit, review, or authorization from the city is required for beekeeping complying with the requirements of this subsection. b. Maximum Number of Hives. The maximum number of hives that may be located on a single lot shall be determined by lot size as follows: (1) No more than four hives, each with ...
Exotic Pets
The City of Bothell, Washington, bans knowingly possessing, breeding, importing, exporting, bartering, buying or selling any exotic animal. Exotic animals include nonhuman primates, wild cats, bears, wild canids, venomous reptiles, large snakes and crocodilians. A violation is a misdemeanor with up to a $1,000 fine or 90 days in jail.
Bothell Exotic Animal Ban: Primates, Big Cats, Bears, Venomous Reptiles
Heavy RestrictionsBothell Municipal Code § 6.04.030
A. No person shall knowingly possess, breed, import, export, barter, buy, sell, or attempt to buy or sell any exotic animal(s). B. Violation of any of the provisions of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor and may be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or imprisonment in jail not to exceed 90 days, or both such fine and imprisonment.
Wildlife Feeding
BMC 6.12.040 makes it unlawful in the City of Bothell, Washington, to feed wildlife in a way that creates an environment for rats and unsanitary conditions. The rule is a single sentence in Chapter 6.12, Rabies and Public Health, of the animal code. That chapter's enforcement section sets $100.00 and $250.00 civil infraction penalties.
Bothell, WA Wildlife Feeding Rule (BMC 6.12.040)
Light RestrictionsBothell Municipal Code § 6.12.040
Feeding of wildlife that creates an environment for rats and unsanitary conditions is unlawful.
Pet Limits
In the City of Bothell, Washington, a residential dwelling unit can keep three or fewer adult dogs and three or fewer adult cats, and any combination of adult dogs and adult cats shall not exceed four. Offspring are allowed until they can survive independently. Going beyond the limit takes a hobby kennel or cattery license or a conditional use permit.
Bothell, WA Dog and Cat Limits Per Dwelling Unit
Some RestrictionsBothell Municipal Code § 12.06.140
2. Keeping of animals shall not constitute a public nuisance which endangers the public health, safety or general welfare, in accordance with BMC Title 6, Animals. Suitable structures or fences shall be provided to restrain animals from leaving the premises. Animals other than and in excess of those permitted by this title shall require a conditional use permit. ... The following domestic anima...
Cat Rules
In the City of Bothell, Washington, every cat eight weeks old or older that is kept in the city must be licensed and registered annually under BMC 6.08.010. A cat over six months old must be spayed or neutered unless the owner holds an unaltered animal license. Violations are civil infractions: $100.00 for a first notice and $250.00 for each later one in 12 months.
Bothell, WA Cat Licensing and Spay/Neuter Rules
Significant RestrictionsBothell Municipal Code §§ 6.08.010, 6.08.025
All dogs and cats eight weeks and over which are harbored, kept, or maintained in the city shall be licensed and registered annually. However, dogs kept in kennels need not be licensed annually while kept at such kennel and while such kennel is duly licensed as provided in Chapter 6.12 BMC. For limits on the keeping of animals, please refer to BMC 12.06.140. ... A. No person shall own or harbor...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
In the City of Bothell, Washington, no one can own or harbor a cat or dog over six months old that is not spayed or neutered unless the owner holds an unaltered animal license. Animals adopted from a shelter must be altered before transfer, and violations carry a $100 first civil infraction.
Bothell Mandatory Spay and Neuter Rule for Dogs and Cats
Some RestrictionsBothell Municipal Code § 6.08.025
A. No person shall own or harbor any cat or dog over the age of six months that has not been spayed or neutered unless: 1. The person holds an unaltered animal license for the animal pursuant to BMC 6.08.030. B. Guide dog puppies in training and police service dogs are exempted from the provisions of this section. C. Any dog or cat over the age of six months adopted from an animal shelter shall...
Microchipping
In the City of Bothell, Washington, microchipping is required for dogs declared dangerous. BMC 6.14.030(C)(3) makes proof that the animal has been microchipped, with the microchip number provided, part of the annual dangerous dog registration. The Bothell code read for this page prints no microchip mandate for ordinary pet dogs or cats.
Bothell, WA Microchip Rule for Dangerous Dogs
Some RestrictionsBothell Municipal Code § 6.14.030
C. In addition to other licensing fees as provided within this chapter, the owner of a dangerous dog shall pay to the city a dangerous dog registration fee in an amount set by city council resolution. Further, the owner of a dangerous dog shall comply with the city’s dangerous dog registration procedures. Such registration will expire one year after issuance and the owner shall renew the regist...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Bothell, Washington, veterinary clinics are a permitted use in the OP, NB, CB, GC and LI zones under BMC § 12.06.050, and kennels are conditional in R-C and permitted in CB, GC and LI. Any building where animals are treated, trained or kept must be soundproofed, and run areas need an eight-foot-high solid wall.
Veterinary Clinic and Kennel Zoning in the City of Bothell, WA
Some RestrictionsBothell Municipal Code § 12.06.050
1. The portion of the building or structure in which animals are treated, trained, or kept shall be soundproofed. All run areas shall be surrounded by an eight-foot-high solid wall and surfaced with concrete or other permanent impervious material. The wall shall be placed consistent with the setback requirements of the underlying zone. The outside of the wall shall be screened with evergreen pl...
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