Animal Ordinances in Franklin County, WA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Franklin County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Franklin County treats poultry as part of its residential 'animal unit' system rather than a stand-alone chicken ordinance. In the RS-12 suburban zone, chickens, fowl or rabbits kept as an accessory use are capped at two animal units, or forty birds, since Franklin County Code § 17.06.130 defines one animal unit as twenty chickens or twenty fowl.
Franklin County Backyard Chicken and Fowl Limits
Some RestrictionsFranklin County Code §§ 17.06.130, 17.30.030(D)
J.Twenty (20) chickens;K.Twenty (20) fowl;L.Twenty (20) rabbits or similar animals;M.Swine/pig standards as described in Chapter 17.66, Use Regulations. ... D.One animal unit shall be allowed for each full ten thousand (10,000) square foot increment of land within the same parcel minus the area set aside for the minimum effective lot size for the dwelling on the lot (twelve thousand (12,000) sq...
Dog Leash Laws
Franklin County Code § 6.04.010 requires a dog off its owner's property to stay on a leash or chain no longer than 6 feet, held by someone able to control it, or it counts as 'at large' and can be impounded by the Sheriff's Office animal control authority.
Dog Leash and At-Large Rules in Franklin County
Some RestrictionsFranklin County Code §§ 6.04.010, 6.04.110
"At large" means off the premises of the owner or upon the public streets, alleys, public grounds, school grounds, or parks within Franklin County, provided, however, an animal shall not be deemed at large if it is: 1.Attached to a leash or chain sufficient to restrain the animal, not more than six feet in length, when said leash or chain is held by a person competent to restrain and control th...
Breed Restrictions
Franklin County has no breed ban; instead an animal control officer can declare any dog dangerous or potentially dangerous based on its conduct, not its breed. A declared dog must be registered annually for $250, and owners have ten days to appeal to district court.
Dangerous Dog Declaration, Franklin County
Significant RestrictionsFranklin County Code § 6.04.030
A.An animal control officer may find and declare an animal dangerous or potentially dangerous if there is probable cause to believe that the animal falls within the respective definitions set forth in Section 6.04.010. The finding must be based upon one or more of the following:1.The written complaint of a citizen who is willing to testify that the animal has acted consistent with a manner defi...
Exotic Pets
Keeping a lion, wolf, coyote, fox, lynx, poisonous reptile or other dangerous wild animal is flatly illegal in any residential area of unincorporated Franklin County. Outside residential zones the sheriff's office may permit one for a $100 fee if the owner proves the animal is safely secured.
Wild/Dangerous Animal Permit, Franklin County
Significant RestrictionsFranklin County Code § 6.04.050
A.It is unlawful for any person to keep, harbor, or maintain under their custody and control within any residential area of the county, any lion, badger, wolf, coyote, fox, lynx, or other hybrid thereof, or poisonous reptile, or serpent, or any other dangerous wild animal or reptile; provided, however, that in areas zoned other than residential no such animals or reptiles will be allowed withou...
Cat Rules
Franklin County has no cat-licensing chapter, but its rabies-quarantine rule names cats directly: a cat suspected of rabies must be quarantined up to ten days and cannot run at large during quarantine, on the county health officer's order.
Cat Rabies Quarantine, Franklin County
Some RestrictionsFranklin County Code § 6.04.080
A.In order to prevent the spread of rabies, the county health officer shall cause to be quarantined any dog, cat, or animal found anywhere within the unincorporated area of the county which the officer suspects of being infected with the disease of rabies. The biting of a human being by a dog, cat, or animal is specifically declared to be grounds for suspecting an animal to be infected. ... C.D...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary clinics are a permitted, by-right use on lots zoned AP-20, AP-40 and RR-5 in unincorporated Franklin County, but only a conditional use requiring a special permit in the RR-1 rural residential zone, so where a vet clinic can open depends on the agricultural or rural zone the parcel carries.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning in Franklin County
Some RestrictionsFranklin County Code §§ 17.10.020(E), 17.14.040(O)
In the agricultural production 20 zone, the following uses are permitted on each lot: ... D.Commercial and private stables, riding academies, including farrier and training, and including caretakers' quarters. This provision shall provide for all animals listed in the permitted animal unit definition;E.Veterinary clinic;F.Nurseries and greenhouses; ... The following additional uses may be permi...
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