Animal Ordinances in Lewis County, WA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Lewis County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Lewis County it is unlawful to let any animal, not just dogs, run at large on public property or trespass onto a neighbor's land without permission, under Lewis County Code § 6.05.030. A more serious version applies when a large or aggressive animal is loose and could cause substantial injury, which escalates the offense to a misdemeanor.
Lewis County Animals-at-Large Rule
Some RestrictionsLewis County Code § 6.05.010, § 6.05.030
"At large" means off the premises of the owner or keeper of the animal, and not under restraint by leash or chain or not otherwise controlled by a competent person. ... It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any animal to negligently allow such animal to enter or trespass onto private property of another without the express permission of the owner or caretaker of said property; or to a...
Breed Restrictions
Lewis County does not ban any dog breed. Instead, LCC § 6.05.060 lets the animal control authority declare an individual animal 'dangerous' only after proving specific biting, attack, or property-damage behavior at a hearing, or if the owner agrees to the designation in writing, so the rule turns on conduct, not the breed listed on paperwork.
Lewis County Dangerous Dog Designation Rule
Significant RestrictionsLewis County Code § 6.05.010, § 6.05.060
"Dangerous animal" means any animal that: ... On public or private property, inflicted severe injury on a human being without provocation, including without limitation: causing (i) a fracture of any body part, (ii) a cut or laceration or puncture wound which bleeds, (iii) a contusion which is visible for more than 13 days, (iv) great or serious or substantial bodily harm as defined by RCW Title...
Microchipping
Lewis County requires permanent microchip identification only for animals formally declared dangerous. Under Lewis County Code § 6.05.080(3), the owner has five business days after the designation, or after moving into the county with an already-designated animal, to get the microchip implanted, with the sheriff's office able to approve an alternate ID method on request.
Lewis County Dangerous Dog Microchip Rule
Significant RestrictionsLewis County Code § 6.05.080
The owner or keeper of an animal which has been declared dangerous pursuant to this chapter or was declared dangerous in another jurisdiction with a substantially similar designation shall, within five business days of the designation in Lewis County or within five days of moving into Lewis County from another jurisdiction, cause the dangerous animal to be permanently identified by microchip. T...
Pet Groomer Rules
Lewis County does not license or permit dog grooming businesses as kennels. Lewis County Code § 6.15.010 defines a 'grooming facility' as a business providing appearance and cleanliness services with no overnight stay, and both the kennel definition and the breeding-practices standards in Chapter 6.15 expressly exclude grooming facilities from their reach.
Lewis County Pet Grooming Facility Exemption
Few RestrictionsLewis County Code § 6.15.010, § 6.15.020
"Grooming facility" means any business or entity, however named, that provides services related to the appearance and cleanliness of a dog, but which does not include any overnight stay at the facility. ... "Kennel" means any same property at which 10 or more dogs over the age of six months with intact sex organs, or 20 or more dogs total, are kept for any purpose. However, the following locati...
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