Animal Ordinances in Mason County, WA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Mason County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the Neighborhood Residential (NR) district of Mason County's Shelton urban growth area, Mason County Code § 17.07.120(G)(2) sets numeric limits on backyard poultry and livestock: on lots of one acre or more, no more than one head of livestock per half acre and no more than twenty birds or fowl per acre, with barns and shelters set back thirty-five feet from property lines and fifty feet from any neighboring home.
Backyard Poultry & Livestock Rules, Mason County
Some RestrictionsMason County Code § 17.07.120(G)(2)
2.Agricultural uses and structures not involving retail sales on the premises and limited as follows:a.On lots or parcels of one acre or more, poultry and/or livestock may be kept provided that the number of head of livestock shall not exceed one for each half acre of lot area, and not more than twenty birds or fowl per acre. Barns or other structures for the housing or sheltering thereof shall...
Dog Leash Laws
Unincorporated Mason County bans letting a dog or other animal run at large on public property, the road right-of-way, or private land without permission, backed by a $250 civil infraction. In county parks and on county-owned land, MCC 9.44.100 goes further and requires every dog be on a hand-held leash no longer than six feet.
Mason County WA Dog At-Large and Leash Law
Some RestrictionsMason County Code §§ 4.08.050, 9.44.100, 9.44.110
(a)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 allow said animal to run at large onto any public property or the public right-of-way within Mason County. ... Any owner or keeper who is found, by a preponderance of ...
Breed Restrictions
Mason County does not ban or restrict dogs by breed. Instead, MCC 4.08.020 defines 'dangerous dog' and 'potentially dangerous dog' by what the animal actually does: unprovoked bites, killing another animal, or menacing behavior. Once declared, the dog faces confinement, insurance, and licensing rules, and a repeat attack by a dog with a prior conviction is a felony.
Mason County WA Dangerous Dog Declaration Law
Significant RestrictionsMason County Code §§ 4.08.020, 4.08.080
"Dangerous dog" means any dog that according to the records of the appropriate authority: (A)Has inflicted severe injury upon a human being without provocation; or(B)Has killed a domestic animal without provocation while off the owner's property; or(C)Has been previously found to be potentially dangerous, the owner having received notice of such and the dog again aggressively bites, attacks, or...
Pet Limits
In the Neighborhood Residential (NR) district of Mason County's Shelton urban growth area, Mason County Code § 17.07.120(G)(4) caps the keeping of common household pets, other than indoor cats, at four animals per household. Small animals kept indoors in aquariums, terrariums, or cages face no numeric limit.
Household Pet Limits, Mason County, WA
Some RestrictionsMason County Code § 17.07.120(G)(4)
4.The keeping of common household animals or pets (excluding cats kept indoors) is limited to four. Other small animals kept indoors as household pets in aquariums, terrariums, cages, or similar containers are not limited in number.
Microchipping
Mason County does not require every pet dog to carry a microchip. But once the county sheriff's animal control authority formally declares a dog potentially dangerous or dangerous, the owner cannot get the required license without a micro-chip identification tag placed into the animal by a licensed veterinarian, plus proper confinement and a current photograph.
Mason County WA Dangerous Dog Microchip Rule
Significant RestrictionsMason County Code §§ 4.08.060, 4.08.070
(f)The animal control authority (county sheriff) shall issue a potentially dangerous dog license to the owner of a potentially dangerous dog if the owner presents to the animal control authority sufficient evidence of:(1)Proper confinement for the potentially dangerous dog.(2)A micro-chip identification tag placed into the animal by a licensed veterinarian.(3)A current photograph of the animal....
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the Village Commercial (VC) district of the Allyn Urban Growth Area, in unincorporated Mason County, a veterinary clinic cannot open by right. Mason County Code Section 17.12.140 lists veterinary clinics among sixteen uses that require a special use permit reviewed by the county's hearing examiner or Community Development staff before any vet clinic can locate in the village core.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning, Unincorporated Mason County, WA
Significant RestrictionsMason County Code § 17.12.140
The following uses, subject to applicable licensing and development regulations, shall be allowed within the "village commercial" district only with approval of a special use permit except that a special use permit shall not be required where any of the listed uses are included in an approved Planned Development. ... (1)Antique malls over ten thousand square feet.(2)Bars and taverns other than ...
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