Animal Ordinances in King County, WA (2026)

King County Code § 21A.30.020.B.1.a

for poultry, chicken, and squab, ten animals per lot on sites less than thirty-five thousand square feet, with one additional animal allowed per additional half acre, up to a maximum of twenty animals. Roosters are not allowed in the urban area; and b. for all other small animals: (1) on sites of less than twenty thousand square feet, three per dwelling unit; (2). on sites ...

King County Code § 11.04.230(O)

For a dog to be at large, or be at large in a pack, except in designated off-leash areas or while engaged in obedience training, lawful hunting activity, lawful organized competition, lawful training in preparation for such hunting or competition, herding livestock, or sanctioned search and rescue activities; P. Failure to license a pet, as required by K.C.C. 11.04.030; Q. Sell, barter, or ...

King County Code § 11.01.320; § 11.04.275

"Potentially dangerous animal" means any animal that when unprovoked: 1. Bites or inflicts injury on a human or domesticated animal; 2. Chases or approaches a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack; 3. Has a known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack, to cause injury, or otherwise to threaten the safety of humans ...

King County Code § 21A.30.020(E)(2)(g)

Beekeeping is limited as follows: (1) Beehives are limited to fifty on sites less than five acres; (2) The number of beehives shall not be limited on sites of five acres or greater; (3) Colonies shall be maintained in movable-frame hives at all times; (6) All colonies shall be registered with the county extension agent before April 1 of each year, on a state registration form acceptable to the ...

King County Code § 11.04.234

11.04.234 Harboring, keeping, or maintenance of exotic animal prohibited - exception - impoundment. A. A person may not harbor, keep, or maintain an exotic animal, unless an exception in RCW 16.30.020 applies. B. An exotic animal harbored, kept or maintained in violation of this section is subject to impoundment. If an animal is impounded under this section, the procedures in RCW 16.30.04...

King County Code § 21A.30.020

...other small animals, excluding altered cats, kept as household pets in a dwelling unit shall be limited to five. ... Altered cats kept as household pets in a dwelling unit shall not be limited in numbers. ... the total number of unaltered adult cats and dogs per dwelling unit shall not exceed three.

King County Code § 11.04.030

Any owner of a pet eight weeks old and older in King County for more than thirty days shall license and register that pet, but this provision does not apply to a pet walker, sitter, or other temporary custodian, if that person can verify the pet owner's name and contact information. The license must be renewed on or before the date of expiration. B.1. Upon application and the payment of a li...

King County Code § 11.04.400

A. A person may not harbor, keep, or maintain any nonjuvenile pet that has not been altered, unless the person holds an unaltered pet license for the animal. B. Guide dogs in training and police service dogs are exempted from this section. C. Any nonjuvenile pet adopted from an animal shelter in King County must be altered before transfer to the owner.

King County Code § 11.04.030

License tags must be worn by dogs at all times. Notwithstanding the requirement for license tags, as an alternative to a license tag, a currently licensed pet may be implanted with a microchip registered with the regional animal services section. 8. Pet owners of who hold valid licenses from other jurisdictions and who move into King County may transfer the license, subject to by paying a ...

King County Code § 11.04.070

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 numb...

King County Code § 11.04.350(E)

11.04.350 Misdemeanors. It is a misdemeanor to: A. Intentionally cause, aid, or abet any violation of K.C.C.11.04.230 or 11.04.250, by any act or omission; B. Fail to comply with a manager's order related to an animal designated as potentially dangerous, vicious, or dangerous after the animal has committed two violations of this chapter; C. Fail to comply with a manager's order related ...

King County Code § 21A.08.050 (development condition 9)

As a home occupation only, but the square footage limitations in K.C.C. chapter 21A.30 for home occupations apply only to the office space for the veterinary clinic, and: a. Boarding or overnight stay of animals is allowed only on sites of five acres or more; b. No burning of refuse or dead animals is allowed; c. The portion of the building or structure in which animals are kept or treated shal...

King County Code § 21A.24.382

For a bald eagle: a. The wildlife habitat conservation area is a four-hundred-foot radius from an active nest; b. Between March 15 and April 30, alterations are not allowed within eight hundred feet of the nest; and c. Between January 1 and August 31, land clearing machinery, such as bulldozers, graders, or other heavy equipment, shall not be operated within eight hundred feet of the nest.