Animal Ordinances in Skagit County, WA (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Skagit County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In unincorporated Skagit County the entire county is a livestock restricted area under Skagit County Code Chapter 6.44. Owners of horses, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and similar farm animals cannot let them run at large or stray onto public highway rights-of-way. A violation is a civil offense carrying a fine of $2 to $10 per offense.
Livestock At-Large Ban, Unincorporated Skagit
Some RestrictionsSkagit County Code §§ 6.44.010, 6.44.020
There shall be established within the confines of Skagit County, as and for the entire county, a livestock restricted area, more particularly described as follows, to wit: ... No person owning or in control of any livestock shall willfully or negligently allow such livestock to run at large in any stock restricted area, nor shall any person owning or in control of any livestock allow such lives...
Dog Leash Laws
Skagit County does not have a general leash law for unincorporated areas outside its parks. Inside County parks, though, SCC 9.41.150 requires every dog or pet be physically controlled by a leash no greater than eight feet in length, except in areas the Department has posted as off-leash zones.
Skagit County Park Dog Leash Rule
Some RestrictionsSkagit County Code § 9.41.150
All dogs or other pets must be physically controlled by a leash no greater than eight (8) feet in length while in a County park, except in areas designated and posted by the Department as “off leash pet areas.” ... Any person whose dog or other pet is in any County park shall be strictly liable for the conduct of the animal. ... Owners of all animals are responsible for removing feces deposited...
Breed Restrictions
Skagit County does not ban specific dog breeds. Instead, SCC Chapter 7.06 lets the county declare an individual dog potentially dangerous or dangerous based on its own conduct, such as biting a person without provocation or killing poultry five separate times, then imposes registration and confinement rules on that dog's owner.
Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules, Skagit County
Significant RestrictionsSkagit County Code §§ 7.06.002, 7.06.010
“Dangerous dog” means a Canidae that: (a) Inflicts severe injury on a human without provocation on public or private property; or (b) Kills a domestic animal (excluding poultry), without provocation while off the owner’s property; or (c) Kills poultry in five or more separate incidents; or (d) The County has previously determined to be a potentially dangerous dog where the owner received notice...
Exotic Pets
Skagit County bans owning, possessing or bringing into the county any potentially dangerous wild animal, a category that under SCC 7.04.010 covers all Canidae hybrids besides domestic dogs, all cougars and every species listed in RCW 16.30.010(2). Violators face a $2,000 civil penalty per animal for each day the violation continues.
Potentially Dangerous Wild Animal Ban, Skagit
Heavy RestrictionsSkagit County Code §§ 7.04.010, 7.04.030
(1) “Potentially dangerous wild animal” means: (a) All animals listed in RCW 16.30.010(2); (b) All animals of the family Canidae (as dogs, wolves, jackals, or foxes) and their hybrids, except for the domestic dog Canis lupus familiaris; and (c) All cougars. ... (1) A person may not own, possess, keep, harbor, bring into the County, or have custody or control of any potentially dangerous wild an...
Microchipping
Skagit County does not require microchips for ordinary pets, but SCC 7.06.025 makes a permanent microchip implant mandatory for any dog the county has declared potentially dangerous or dangerous, on top of warning signs, secure confinement and, for dangerous dogs, a $250,000 bond or insurance policy.
Microchip Mandate for Dangerous Dogs, Skagit
Some RestrictionsSkagit County Code § 7.06.025(1)(e), (2)(e)
(1) A potentially dangerous dog owner must: ... (e) Ensure the dog has a permanent microchip identification implant. ... (2) A dangerous dog owner must: ... (e) Ensure the dog has a permanent microchip identification implant; and
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Skagit County Code § 14.18.210 lists animal clinics and hospitals, including overnight boarding, as a permitted commercial use across unincorporated zoning districts. In the SF-NRL and RRc-NRL resource lands, a veterinary building must stay accessory to the existing agricultural or forestry operation, sit within an already-developed area, and take no acreage out of resource production, protecting Skagit's farmland base from conversion to standalone clinic sites.
Animal Clinics in Unincorporated Skagit County
Some RestrictionsSkagit County Code § 14.18.210
(1) Definition. A building for medical or surgical treatment of animals. (2) An animal clinic hospital may include overnight animal stays. (3) Limitation in the SF-NRL and RRc-NRL Zones. (a) Must be accessory to the existing resource base. (b) Any structures must be placed in currently developed areas. (c) No land may be taken out of resource production.
Bird Protection
Skagit County bans hunting, taking or killing any game birds, migratory birds, upland game birds, predatory birds, songbirds or other birds, and firing any gun within six specifically mapped no-hunting areas across the county, including land near Bayview State Park, south Burlington and within a half mile of Fidalgo School. Violators face a misdemeanor.
No-Hunting Zones Protect Birds, Skagit County
Heavy RestrictionsSkagit County Code §§ 7.12.010, 7.12.020
It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, take or kill any game birds, migratory birds, upland game birds, predatory birds, nongame birds or song birds, or any other kind of game or fowl, or to shoot, fire or discharge any firearms, gun, rifle, pellet gun or any pistol, revolver or hand gun or any type or character in or within the following described areas of Skagit County, to wit: ... (5) ...
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