Washington Statewide Rule
Washington Livestock at Large: RCW 16.24 Stock Restricted Areas
Key Facts
- Governing statute
- RCW 16.24.065
- Restricted-area rule
- No willful or negligent run-at-large
- State/federal land
- Grazing needs written permission
- Fence-out defense
- Not available (RCW 16.24.090)
- Enforcement
- Impound; damages under ch. 16.04
Summary
Washington bars owners from willfully or negligently letting livestock run at large in any stock restricted area under RCW 16.24.065. Owners are liable for trespass damage, and neighboring landowners need not fence animals out to recover.
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 or to wander or stray upon the right-of-way of any public highway lying within a stock restricted area when not in the charge of some person.
Full Breakdown
RCW 16.24.065 makes it unlawful for anyone owning or controlling livestock to willfully or negligently allow the animals to run at large in a stock restricted area, or to stray onto a public highway right-of-way there when not in a person's charge. Livestock may graze state of Washington or United States land only when the owner has written grazing privileges. Under RCW 16.24.090, owners of horses, mules, donkeys, cattle, goats, sheep, or swine may not negligently allow them to run at large, and a neighbor's failure to build a lawful fence is no defense to a trespass claim. Straying stock may be impounded under chapter 16.24 RCW, and owners answer for damages under chapter 16.04 RCW.
Violations & Penalties
Owners who negligently let stock roam a restricted area face impoundment of the animals and civil liability for crop, fence, and collision damage under chapters 16.24 and 16.04 RCW.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can livestock legally graze Washington state land?
Must I fence my land to keep a neighbor's animals out?
Sources
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