Animal Ordinances in Grant County, WA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Grant County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Unincorporated Grant County caps backyard fowl and small livestock by lot size under GCC UDO Section 23.08.020(h). You can keep up to fifteen fowl or rabbits per 5,000 square feet, and one horse, mule or cow plus three goats per 20,000 square feet, each with a minimum distance from any dwelling. Exceeding those numbers, or keeping hogs, requires a zoning district that permits Livestock Maintenance.
Grant County Backyard Fowl and Livestock Limits
Some RestrictionsGrant County Unified Development Code § 23.08.020(h)
(h)Domestic Animal Maintenance: In addition to livestock maintenance allowed in certain zoning districts, as specified in Tables 3, 4 and 5 of GCC § 23.04, the following animals may be maintained:(1)Not more than fifteen (15) fowl, other than roosters, quacking ducks, geese, guinea fowl, or pea fowl and not more than fifteen (15) rabbits or guinea pigs for each five thousand (5,000) square feet...
Dog Leash Laws
In Grant County's designated dog control areas, a list of specific unincorporated subdivisions like Desert Aire and Pelican Point, GCC 9.06.050 requires every dog to be on a leash or confined in a pen or fenced yard at all times. GCC 9.06.080 separately bans letting any dog run at large on a public street or someone else's property within those areas.
Dogs Must Be Leashed in Grant County Control Areas
Some RestrictionsGrant County Code §§ 9.06.050, 9.06.080
9.06.050 - Dogs to be controlled. It is unlawful for any owner or custodian to keep any dog in an area described in Section 9.06.030(7), dog control areas, unless the dog is controlled at all times by being on a leash, or secured or confined in a pen or by fence upon the property of the owner or custodian. ... Any dog not controlled as provided in this section shall be deemed at large and shall...
Breed Restrictions
Unincorporated Grant County has no breed ban. Under Grant County Code Chapter 9.07, the Sheriff's Office (acting as animal control authority) declares a dog "dangerous" or "potentially dangerous" based on documented biting or aggressive behavior, never breed. A declared dog's owner must register it, secure it in a proper enclosure, post warning signage, and follow strict handling rules or face citation, civil damages, and possible destruction of the dog.
Grant County's Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsGrant County Code § 9.07.120
1)It shall be unlawful for any person to:(a)Keep a dangerous dog within the corporate limits of Grant County;(b)Fail to register a dog found to be a potentially dangerous dog under Chapter 16.08 RCW within thirty calendar days of bringing the dog into the corporate limits of Grant County, or within thirty calendar [days] after it has been declared a potentially dangerous dog;(c)Fail to keep a p...
Pet Limits
Unincorporated Grant County limits dogs, cats and similar household pets to three per 5,000 square feet of lot area, under GCC UDO Section 23.08.020(h)(3). Animals under six months old do not count toward the limit. Owning more pets than the lot allows turns the extras into a Livestock Maintenance use requiring a zoning district that permits it.
Grant County Household Pet Limit Per Lot
Some RestrictionsGrant County Unified Development Code § 23.08.020(h)(3)
(h)Domestic Animal Maintenance: In addition to livestock maintenance allowed in certain zoning districts, as specified in Tables 3, 4 and 5 of GCC § 23.04, the following animals may be maintained: ... (3)Not more than three (3) dogs, cats or similar household pets, exclusive of animals under six (6) months of age, for each five thousand (5,000) square feet of area of the parcel of land upon whi...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Grant County's Unified Development Code lets veterinary clinics and hospitals locate outright in some zoning districts and only by conditional use permit in others, and it bars boarding or grooming beyond what is incidental to medical care.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning in Grant County
Some RestrictionsGrant County Unified Development Code § 23.08.440
23.08.440 - Veterinary Clinics or Hospitals (a)Veterinary Clinics or Hospitals: Veterinary Clinics or Hospitals may be allowed in those zoning districts, as an allowed outright use or subject to a conditional use permit, as specified in Tables 3, 4 and 5 of GCC § 23.04.(b)Veterinary Clinics or Hospitals are subject to the following standards:(1)Current construction, maintenance and operation st...
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